Attempts of Recentralization of Nepal’s Community Forestry

Nepal’s community forestry is regarded as a milestone in decentralized forest management, several researchers agree on the livelihoods and environmental outcomes from the community forest, however, the outcomes in governance perspective is rarely questioned. Through the review of the literature, policy documents and decrees, and questionnaire survey in nine community forest user groups in western hills of Nepal; we demonstrate how recentralization is taking place in community forestry in lieu of decentralized policies and discuss their implications on limiting the role of local forest users in forest management. Recentralization through the lens of inventory requirements has been observed in community forestry through (i) the formulation of strategies and policies favorable to increase the role of forest bureaucrats in community forestry (ii) changing the use of technical knowledge patterns and requirements and (iii) increased bureaucratic power. The increased technical knowledge in the form of inventory based forest management planning is found to be the major step in curtailing the devolved rights and increasing the bureaucratic power. Formulation of strategies, guidelines, circulars and policy intervention create a favorable environment for the bureaucrats to exercise more power compared to the autonomy provided by Forest Act 1993. The highly influential upward accountability in community forestry thus questions the modality of decentralized forest management in Nepalese community forestry.

Participatory assessment of biodiversity conservation in community forestry in Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v16i1.364 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 46-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K.P. Acharya ◽

K.R. Goutam ◽

B.K. Acharya ◽

G. Gautam

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Biodiversity Conservation ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Effective Means ◽

Rural Livelihoods ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Community Forest ◽

Participatory Assessment ◽

Community Forest User Groups

The Community Forestry has been the most effective means of managing common forest resources in Nepal. Besides rehabilitating degraded hills, improving environment and contributing to the rural livelihoods, community forestry is claimed to be a major means of biodiversity conservation. It is also argued that the prevalent approach of community forest management threats to the conservation of biodiversity. This paper is based on the findings from two community forest user groups from Central Nepal and argues that the users’ innovative practices of active forest management favor biodiversity conservation. The study has documented users’ innovations to conserve biodiversity in community managed forests. Key words: Nepal, community forestry, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods Banko Janakari Vol.16(1) 2006 pp46-56

Biodiversity conservation: Officials' perceptions and discord with community forest management in Nepal

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc81387-3 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 81 (3) ◽

pp. 387-391

Author(s):

Uma Acharya ◽

R. John Petheram ◽

Rowan Reid

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Biodiversity Conservation ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Forest Policy ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Community Forest ◽

Government Officials ◽

Development Workers ◽

Two topics receiving much attention in design of forest policy and management in Nepal are conservation of biodiversity and participation of forest-local people. Government officials, forest users and development workers are all involved in shaping policy for the management of forest for biodiversity and other values. It is therefore crucial to understand the different viewpoints about biodiversity among these stakeholders. This paper is derived from a broad case study on the views of various stakeholders in community forestry in Nepal, but is focused on understanding the views of policy-level government officials in regards to biodiversity conservation. Using a grounded theory approach, qualitative data were collected on two field visits in 2002–2003 to the study area. The results of interviews with officials indicate diverse perspectives in interpreting biodiversity conservation. These include perceptions of forest users' understanding about diversity, and strong beliefs about definition of biodiversity and about dependence of users on forest for their livelihood. Implications of the results include an obvious need for better understanding by staff at various levels of government and other agencies involved in community forestry, of the different concepts and views held about biodiversity conservation. A broader understanding among officials of biodiversity and deeper knowledge of other's views on biodiversity conservation could help in designing and implementing policies and programs in the context of community forest management. Key words: views, perceptions, understanding, community, forestry, users, government officials, policy, qualitative method

The Contested Role of Management Plans in Improving Forest Conditions in Nepal's Community Forests

International Forestry Review ◽

10.1505/146554819825863799 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 37-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S. Baral ◽

H. Meilby ◽

B.B. Khanal Chhetri

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Community Forests ◽

Management Plans ◽

User Groups ◽

Community Forest User Groups ◽

Forest Legislation ◽

Forest Conditions

Nepal's forest legislation requires community forest user groups to prepare inventory based management plans. Several studies have observed positive changes in forest cover after the establishment of community forestry; however, the role of management plans in bringing about such change is less examined. Based on a case study of nine community forests in the mid-hills of Nepal, this paper discusses the role of plans in changing the forest conditions. The study assessed changes in forest conditions, observed forest management activities, conducted household surveys, and interviewed forest bureaucrats. Image analysis showed improvement in forest conditions after the introduction of inventory based planning; however, improvements cannot be attributed to the plans, as the prescriptions in these were not used in practice. Instead, it emerged that a culture emphasizing forest conservation, changes in demography and increased remittance incomes together with increasing bureaucratic requirements contributed to the improved forest conditions. The role of the plan remains contested since it largely serves as a basis for controlling communities and, hence, preparation of such plans appears as an empty ritual with little connection with actual forest management.

Community forest management practices in far-western lowlands of Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v18i2.2170 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 25-34

Author(s):

B Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Forest Products ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Community Forest ◽

Plantation Forests ◽

Forest Condition ◽

Community Forest User Groups

Wider discussions are held as to the contribution of community forestry program in Nepal to improve the forest condition and meeting the forest product requirements. This paper presents findings from a study of six Community Forest User Groups in far-western lowlands of Kailali and Kanchanpur in Nepal. The groups with natural and plantation forests have varied experiences in forest conservation and distribution of products. Some groups are resourceful in terms of availability of forest products from the natural forests. Others with plantation forests are product scarce from their own and depend on government managed forest and other sources to meet their demands. The role of concerned government authorities and federation of groups would be instrumental to analyse demand and supply, and make provisions for distribution of forest products within and outside groups and district. Key words: Community forest management, forest products, distribution, far-western low land doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i2.2170 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 2, 25-34

Scores for Effective Forest Conservation: A Village-to- Village Approach

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v19i1.2177 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 11-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

RK Pokharel ◽

HO Larsen

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Forest Conservation ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Community Forest ◽

Criteria And Indicators ◽

Community forestry in Nepal strives for forest conservation and sustainable forest management. Evaluating progress towards this end requires periodic measurements, and currently there are no standard tools for undertaking evaluations in a participatory way. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a standardized way for measuring effective forest conservation through the use of locally set scores. A village-to-village approach was used to assign scores on criteria and indicators developed earlier for forest conservation. A total of eight small meetings with forest users were conducted to elicit their perspectives and quantify their progress towards conservation by means of scores. For the 14 criteria specified, local forest users assigned higher scores to four criteria: two for social and one each for socio-economic and environmental spheres. This paper argues that a score of 59 or above is an effective cut off for determining "effective" forest conservation. Keywords: Community forest, criteria, forest management, indicator, village doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i1.2177 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No. 1, 11-15

Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan (Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management) ◽

Analisis Peran Koperasi dalam Pengelolaan Hutan Rakyat di Kebumen

10.29244/jpsl.9.2.327-336 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 327-336

Author(s):

Elok Budiningsih ◽

Harjanto Harjanto ◽

Yulius Hero

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Wood Products ◽

Community Forest ◽

Community Forests ◽

Processing Subsystem

Community forests are a viable alternative for timber suppliers. Community forestry institutions are required to ensure its sustainability. Cooperatives become one of the appropriate alternatives in accordance with the institution at the site level in community forest development. One of the peasant organizations that manages the human resources in the form of cooperatives is a Taman Wijaya Rasa Cooperative (Kostajasa) located in Kebumen. This study aims to analyze the role of Kostajasa in community forest management. The descriptive analysis used in describing the role of Kostajasa in community forest management supporting three community forest subsystems, namely production, processing and marketing subsystem. Kostajasa has played a good role in all three subsystems. In the production subsystem, there are still less roles in the determination of timber products to be managed, and setting the felling regulation. In the processing subsystem Kostajasa have already play a good role to connect several industries to receive raw materials from farmers’ timber and maintain the demand continuity for raw materials so that farmers’ timber is absorbed. In the marketing subsystem, Kostajasa also play a good role among others, shorten the marketing chain of wood products from community forest and offering a better price outside Kostajasa.

Adaptive value of participatory biodiversity monitoring in community forestry

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892906003432 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 325-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

ANNA LAWRENCE ◽

KRISHNA PAUDEL ◽

RICHARD BARNES ◽

YAM MALLA

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Forest Monitoring ◽

Benefit Sharing ◽

Community Forest ◽

Participatory Monitoring ◽

Community Forests ◽

Forest Users ◽

Direct Use ◽

Local Value

In the context of action research in community forests, stakeholders' values for biodiversity can be elicited, communicated and understood with the help of a multidimensional conceptual framework. This incorporates levels of diversity (genes, species, habitats and processes), types of values (direct use, indirect use, option and existence) and stakeholders. This paper explores the effect of using this framework on forest monitoring, learning and communication, and wider implications for conservation, in Baglung District (Nepal). Monitoring was initially an unfamiliar concept to villagers, but the process clarified its purpose, whilst helping to elicit and exchange values and knowledge amongst stakeholders. This precipitated proposals for silvicultural experimentation and social inquiry into the diversity of users' needs. The framework allowed the translation of local value statements into categories recognized by other actors. It aided external stakeholders in understanding the factors contributing to values held by community forest users. Villagers' appreciation of ‘quality’ forest did not necessarily equate to the most ‘biodiverse’ forest, but rather the greenest and densest and that stocked with useful species. Elite domination, tenure and access to markets affected values assigned and behaviour in forest management. Elicitation of these values provoked questioning of forest management decisions and benefit sharing among community forest users. This, in turn, stimulated more democratic forest management and more inclusive, wide-ranging biodiversity values. Participatory monitoring is more conceptually challenging than is usually recognized, and the links between equity and conservation merit further attention in different cultural contexts.

Effects of forest certification towards sustainable community forestry in Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v17i1.654 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pem N Kandel

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Forest Certification ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Forest Stewardship Council ◽

Community Forests ◽

Sustainable Community ◽

Forest Stewardship ◽

In early 2005, 10,045 ha Community Forests (CFs) were certified in Bajhang and Dolakha districts of Nepal by using the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme. After two years of forest certification, subsequent questions are being asked such as: What benefits have certification brought for the Forest Users Groups (FUGs)? What tangible differences are there in forest management system because of forest certification? and What lessons have been learnt from the certified forests? In an attempt to answer these questions, a study was carried out in April 2007 in Dolakha district where 11 (2,182 ha) community managed forests were certified in 2005. On the basis of field study from two certified forests (Vitteripakha and Suspa) of the district, this paper analyzes the effects of forest certification and its implications for enhancing Sustainable Community Forestry (SCF) in Nepal. Key words: Sustainable forest management, forest certification, community forestry Banko Janakari: A journal of forestry information for Nepal Vol.17(1) 2007 pp.11-16

Pro-poor Institutions: Creating Exclusive Rights to the Poor Groups in Community Forest Management

Journal of Forest and Livelihood ◽

10.3126/jfl.v8i2.2304 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sushma Bhattarai ◽

Prakash Kumar Jha ◽

Niraj Chapagain

Keyword(s):

Community Forestry ◽

Community Forest ◽

Degraded Land ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Community Forests ◽

The Poor ◽

User Groups ◽

Community Forest User Groups ◽

Forest User

In spite of the widely accepted success of Community Forestry in reviving degraded land, it is still seen as being unable to provide tangible benefits to the poor. This paper illustrates that through continuous sharing, deliberation and negotiation among the poor and non?poor members of Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), management of community forests can be made far more equitable than the usual scenario. Drawing from the experience on the processes and outcomes of Livelihoods and Forestry Programme (LFP), this paper brings empirical evidence of how facilitation support has enabled the poor to have more equitable access to community forests. Three key pro?poor institutional arrangements resulting from the facilitation process include: a) establishing special use rights arrangements within CFUGs for the poor, b) pro?poor silvicultural practices, and c) equitable forest product and benefit distribution mechanisms. The paper suggests some changes in policy and practice to institutionalise these outcomes. Full text is available at the ForestAction websiteDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v8i2.2304 Journal of Forest and Livelihood 8(2) February 2009 pp.1-15

Guided Change Through Community Forestry A Case Study in Forest Management Unit 17 – Newfoundland

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc65344-5 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 65 (5) ◽

pp. 344-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. A. Roy

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Community Involvement ◽

Common Property ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Management Unit ◽

Coastal Forests ◽

Community Forest ◽

Common Property Resource ◽

Forestry Project

For centuries the coastal forests of insular Newfoundland traditionally have been exploited as a common property resource for individual domestic purposes. Indiscriminate domestic cutting has led to deteriorated forests and to increased conflicts with commercial forestry interests. In recent years many approaches have been tried to manage domestic cutters. This article examines the process used by the staff of Forest Management Unit 17, on the Great Northern Peninsula, that led to a pilot community forestry project as a means of fostering responsibility and accountability in the wood cutting public. It is concluded that the process of changing the undesirable aspects of common property traditions requires adequate time and commitments of funding, staff, and community involvement. The community forest concept could be expanded to other Newfoundland Forest Management Units with high domestic demand and low supplies of accessible timber. Key Words: common property, domestic cutting, community forestry