Regular Article J F E S Journal of Forest and Environmental Science pISSN: 2288-9744, eISSN: 2288-9752 Journal of Forest and Environmental Science Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 1-7, February, 2017 https://doi.org/10.7747/JFES.2017.33.1.1 Ｐ＆Ｌｕｘ＆Ｋｔ｜＆Ｙｉｏ＆９９．７／２＆７３＝＆＆＆＆＆1 Perception on Impact of Climate Change on Forest Ecosystem in Protected Area of West Bengal, India Tanusri Dey 1 , Nazir A. Pala 1 , Gopal Shukla 1, * , Prabhat K. Pal 2 and Sumit Chakravarty 1 1 Department of Forestry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari-736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India 2 Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari-736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India Abstract In the present exploration we identified perception of forest dependent communities in relation to impact of climate change on forest ecosystem in and around Chilapatta reserve forest in northern part of West Bengal, India. Purposive sampling method was used for selection of area and random sampling method was used for selection of respondent. The data collection in this study was through questionnaire based personal in-depth interviews. Almost all the respondents (94%) were farmers and rest had occupation other than farming. Almost all the respondents perceived negative impact of climate change on forest though the level of perception varies from very low to medium (0.23-0.52) based on average perception score after assigning score to individual statements. The level of perception on impact of climate change on forest ecology and forest flora of the community is low and very low as the average perception score is 0.39 and 0.23, respectively while, it is medium (0.52) for forest fauna. Alternately their perception on decreased stream/river flow and quick drying of seasonal streams or water bodies is based on their livelihood experience as they depend on these for their domestic and irrigation water use and fish catch for family diet. Key Words: change, respondent, forest, ecosystem, livelihood Received: December 17, 2015. Revised: September 5, 2016. Accepted: September 5, 2016. Corresponding author: Gopal Shukla Department of Forestry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari-736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India Tel: +913582-270588, Fax: +913582-270143, E-mail: gopalshukla12@gmail.com Introduction One of the greatest challenges to livelihoods in the 21 st century, particularly in developing countries, is the threat from climate change that could potentially reverse decades of development gains, such as those focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (IPCC 2007a; UNDP 2010). Human interference with the climate system is pos- ing risks for human and natural systems (IPCC 2013; IPCC 2014). It is expected to affect functioning of eco-sys- tem services (including forestry and agriculture) and also expected to exacerbate the vulnerability of communities with adverse impacts on livelihood options (IPCC 2007b). People and societies have perceived and even adapted to changes in the climate differently, given diverse values and goals which is posing a serious threat to their livelihoods (Byg and Salick 2009; Salau et al. 2012; Arbuckle et al. 2013; IPCC 2014). Forests are the only viable option against climate change is now understood widely among scientists and public as well (McDaniels et al. 1996). Forest-dependent communities also describe a particular- ized social context in relation to global climate change be- cause of their potential to become the target of potential in- stitutional responses to climate change (Davidson et al.