Economical evaluation of current forest uses (Case study: Shafaroud forests, Gilan province)

The aim of this research is to evaluate current uses of forest (animal husbandry and wood harvesting) in district no. 11 of Shafaroud forest with an area of 2200 ha in Guilan province. Factors including stumpage price, annual growth rate and rate of interest were used to determine the net present value of timber harvesting. Furthermore, price, animal husbandry costs and rate of interest were applied to determine the net present value of animal husbandry in forest. Economic analysis revealed the net present value of 30105809 IRR per hectare gained by wood harvesting and animal husbandry in forest, with 92.7% and 7.3%, proportions of forestry and animal husbandry, respectively. In other words, net present value of animal husbandry is about 12.7% lower than forestry. The results of this study showed that the present forestry practice in the study area enables the timber production management. In order to manage the forest based on sustainability and meet the forest dwellers needs, forest management is suggested to be planned toward the social forestry.