scholarly journals Buffer Zone Community Forestry in Nepal: Examining Tenure and Management Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudeep Jana Thing ◽  
Buddi S Poudel
Keyword(s):  
Community Forestry ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Policy Guideline ◽  
Increasing Demand

This paper examines the transfer of management rights over forests and natural resources and exercise of such rights by various sections of local communities in Protected Area (PA) buffer zones in Nepal. The study is based on an extensive review of government policy documents, available published and grey materials. The paper has also been drawn from the long experiences of the authors working in PAs and buffer zones in various parts of the country. We found that Buffer Zone Community Forests (BZCFs) have so far made significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods and institutional building in buffer zones. However, we also found a range of critical challenges in realising clear, comprehensive and secure rights by the local communities. Effective functioning of buffer zone community forestry is undermined by ever-increasing demand of forest products, lack of needed management autonomy and support from the PA management authorities, absence of clear policy guideline, increasing human-wildlife conflict and persistence of social exclusion of women, poor and marginalised. We argue that a better understanding and attention to address tenure related challenges in BZCFs would aid both conservation and local livelihoods and thereby enhance socio-ecological resilience of buffer zone communities.

scholarly journals Trade-offs and synergies between carbon, forest diversity and forest products in Nepal community forests

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
EAK RANA ◽  
RIK THWAITES ◽  
GARY LUCK
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Forest Diversity ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Forest Ecosystem Services

SUMMARYReducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, the sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (‘REDD+’) aims to improve local livelihoods and conserve plant diversity while limiting carbon emissions. Yet trade-offs and synergies that exist between supporting livelihoods, protecting plant diversity and maintaining forest ecosystem services are poorly documented. We used forest inventory data and community-group records to assess trade-offs and synergies between carbon, plant diversity and forest products in 19 community forests managed under REDD+ in Nepal. Trade-offs were prevalent for carbon, whereby community forests with relatively high carbon values had relatively low values for plant diversity or forest products provision, and vice versa. Synergies occurred between plant diversity and forest products provision (fuelwood and fodder), suggesting that forests with relatively high plant diversity values were also important for providing critical forest products to local communities. This study shows that conserving forests for carbon should not impinge greatly on the flow of forest resources to at least some local communities; however, promoting carbon storage will not necessarily protect plant diversity. These findings should help guide future REDD+ policy for community forests.

Halting Forest Encroachment in Terai: What Role for Community Forestry?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34
Author(s):  
Prabin Bhusal ◽  
Naya Sharma Paudel ◽  
Anukram Adhikary ◽  
Jisan Karki ◽  
Kamal Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Adaptive Learning ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Livelihoods

This paper highlights the lessons of using adaptive learning in community forestry that effectively help to resolve forest based conflicts in Terai region of Nepal. The paper is based on a three-year action research carried out in Terai. Qualitative methods including participatory rural appraisal tools and documentation of engaged action and reflections were used. Methods and tools that largely fall under adaptive learning were deployed. The field data was complemented by review of secondary data and literature on environmental history of Terai. We found that policies on land and forest in Terai for the last fifty years have induced and aggravated conflicts over access and control between state and communities and also within diverse groups of local communities. These conflicts have had serious negative impacts on sustainable management of forests and on local people’s livelihoods, particularly resource poor and landless people. Centralised and bureaucratic approaches to control forest and encroachment have largely failed. Despite investing millions of Rupees in maintaining law and order in forestlands, the problem continues to worsen often at the cost of forests and local communities. We found that transferring management rights to local communities like landless and land poor in the form of community forestry (CF) has induced strong local level collective action in forest management and supported local livelihoods. Moreover, adding adaptive learning, as a methodological tool to improve governance and enhance local level collective action significantly improves the benefit of CF. It implies that a major rethinking is needed in the current policies that have often led to hostile relationships with the local inhabitants- particularly the illegal settlers. Instead, transferring forest rights to local communities and supporting them through technical aspects of forest management will strengthen local initiatives towards sustainable management of forests.

Tenure and forest conditions: community forestry in the Nepal Terai

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harini Nagendra
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
National Forests ◽  
Initial Condition ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Forest Conditions

There is a current trend towards decentralization of forest management, particularly among developing nations. Nepal has taken a lead in initiating innovative policies of community forestry. Although these initiatives have been largely deemed successful in the mountains, within the Terai lowlands, there is considerable debate about their outcomes. This research evaluates forest condition within recently declared community forests, national forests and protected areas in the Nepal Terai, using plot mensuration techniques and interviews with local users. The initial condition of forests that were handed over to local communities for use was significantly poorer than those retained as national forests. Protected areas had the highest levels of plant abundance, biomass and biodiversity, which is not surprising, given the level of funds and manpower input to managing these limited areas. In the context of current controversy about the outcome of community forestry in the Nepal Terai, the poor initial condition of forests handed over to local communities is highly significant, and needs to be factored into evaluations of community forest management. This research underscores the need for benchmark studies for evaluating the future outcomes of forest policies in the Terai, provides a valuable addition to the limited information on forest conditions under different management regimes in Nepal, and indicates some of the difficulties that local communities face while dealing with community forestry in practice.

scholarly journals Demand and Supply of Forest Products in Bandevi Buffer Zone Community Forest, Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raju Pokharel ◽  
Jagdish Poudel ◽  
Ram Kumar Adhikari ◽  
Aseem Raj Sharma
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Product Demand ◽  
Resource Needs ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Forest Conditions

<p><em>Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) started with an objective to engage locals and fulfill their resource needs without jeopardizing conservation. This study estimates the forest product demand and supply of fuelwood, fodder, and timber in Bandevi BZCF user group. Data was collected using stratified random sampling and forest inventory using the quadrate method. Results indicated Bandevi BZCF conditions improved since its handover to the community. However, the study estimated a deficit of 26173 cubic meters per year of timber, 3.21 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) of fodder, and 0.12 Mt/yr of fuelwood. Deficits were fulfilled from agricultural lands outside BZCF and illegal collection from the Bharandavar corridor forest and CNP. BZCF program is a success in improving forest conditions and needs continuation. Policy and programs must focus primarily on livelihood improvement and income generations to reduce the dependency of local people on the forest.</em></p>

scholarly journals Status of Potential Non-Timber Forest Products for Wise Use and Conservation in the Langtang National Park’s Buffer Zone

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 102-107
Author(s):  
Bhuvan Keshar Sharma ◽  
Ram Chandra Kandel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
The Status ◽  
Non Timber Forest Products ◽  
Baseline Information

Non-timber forest products are non-wooded biological resources derived from both natural and managed forests and other wooded areas. The objective of the study was to perform resource assessment for baseline information on the status and distribution of locally prioritized plant based non-timber forest products in Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok districts of Langtang National Park’s buffer zones. Consultative workshops and forest inventory techniques were applied to collect data. From the consultative workshops 133 species of plants having use value were identifi ed. It was identifi ed that Gaultheria fragrantissima and Edgeworthia gardneri were more potential species for commercial production and utilization. For commercial production and collection of Gaultheria fragrantissima, buffer zone areas of Nuwakot district will be the better place. Similarly, the commercial production and collection of Edgeworthia gardneri will be better in buffer zone areas of Sindhupalchok district.J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 28, 2014: 102-117

The impact of community forest formalisation on tenure security and co-management in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
M. Jenke ◽  
J. Pretzsch
Keyword(s):  
Community Forestry ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Community Forest ◽  
Tenure Security ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Forest Encroachment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Forest Institutions ◽  
Management Organisation

The formalisation of community forestry through legal registration could enhance the tenure security of local communities, although its effectiveness remains unclear. The issue of whether Thailand's registration programme strengthened the tenure security of community forests and altered their customary forest institutions was investigated. The tenure security and forest management of registered community forests with varying levels of tenure disputes were compared across five different localities. The formalisation process and its effects on tenure security were discussed with representatives from communal forest committees and forest officials. Findings indicated that neither management organisation nor forest rules were altered following registration but remained adapted to local forest uses. Moreover, forest communities were confident in the assurance of their use and management rights. The registration generally enabled communities to prevent further forest encroachment and resolve conflicts if forest officials and police provided support. However, limited financial resources hindered communities to manage and monitor forests effectively.

scholarly journals Production of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and diversity of harvesting practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand’s community forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 343 ◽  
pp. 39-52
Author(s):  
Wuthiwong Wimolsakcharoen ◽  
Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana ◽  
Guy Trébuil
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Oecophylla Smaragdina ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Non Timber Forest Products ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Previous research on community forestry in Thailand has mainly focused on its institutional dimensions. Comprehensive knowledge on the production of non-timber forest products and on harvesting practices and decision-making processes is therefore still limited, particularly in relation to community-based forestry. A survey was performed to estimate the production of non-timber forest products and to characterise the diversity of harvesting practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand’s community forests. Field investigations were conducted once a month for 12 months in seven community forests in the Lainan sub-district in Nan Province, using a grid-based sampling technique. Production and productivity of the main non-timber forest products were calculated by total fresh weight. In-depth interviews were conducted individually with 231 local harvesters to understand their NTFP harvesting practices and decision-making processes. Young shoots of Melientha suavis, queen broods of Oecophylla smaragdina and edible mushrooms were found to be the three main non-timber forest products collected, with productivity of 2, 12, and 2 kg/ha/year, respectively. Harvesting practices were characterised as applied by (A) landless villagers, (B) small- and medium-sized landholders, (C) larger landholders, and (D) outsiders. Local harvesters displayed different decision-making processes in resource harvesting depending on periods of resource availability, the duration of harvests and the quantities harvested. These quantitative data on resource productivity together with knowledge of harvesting practices and decision-making processes among harvesters will provide input to a participatory resource management process to support exchanges of knowledge among local stakeholders and explore scenarios for appropriate rules of access so as to improve the sustainability of non-timber forest product harvesting.

scholarly journals Améliorer la compétitivité du bois de sciage légal en provenance de la zone agroforestière au Cameroun

Afrika Focus ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Kana ◽  
Norbert Sonne ◽  
Barthelemy Ondua ◽  
Patrick Tadjo ◽  
Benjamin Ondo
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Domestic Market ◽  
Community Forest ◽  
Community Forests

Since 1997, the year the first community forest in Cameroon was created, sawn wood from community forests has been facing difficulties to find a place in an expanding domestic market. The low competitiveness of community forest products is among the major obstacles to have them help reduce rural poverty as desired in the new forest policies in Central Africa. This article, from the work of the World Wide Fund for Nature team and organizations partners, identifies the factors explaining the low competitiveness of community forests in the domestic market and proposes by way of conclusion some strategies whose implementation will allow community forestry to play its full role in the supply of domestic markets, improving sustainable management of the agroforestry landscape and fostering poverty reduction in rural areas. Key words: wood value chain, artisanal logging, forest policy, community forests 

scholarly journals Halting Forest Encroachment in Terai: What Role for Community Forestry?

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34
Author(s):  
Prabin Bhusal ◽  
Naya Sharma Paudel ◽  
Anukram Adhikary ◽  
Jisan Karki ◽  
Kamal Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Adaptive Learning ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Livelihoods

This paper highlights the lessons of using adaptive learning in community forestry that effectively help to resolve forest based conflicts in Terai region of Nepal. The paper is based on a three-year action research carried out in Terai. Qualitative methods including participatory rural appraisal tools and documentation of engaged action and reflections were used. Methods and tools that largely fall under adaptive learning were deployed. The field data was complemented by review of secondary data and literature on environmental history of Terai. We found that policies on land and forest in Terai for the last fifty years have induced and aggravated conflicts over access and control between state and communities and also within diverse groups of local communities. These conflicts have had serious negative impacts on sustainable management of forests and on local people’s livelihoods, particularly resource poor and landless people. Centralised and bureaucratic approaches to control forest and encroachment have largely failed. Despite investing millions of Rupees in maintaining law and order in forestlands, the problem continues to worsen often at the cost of forests and local communities. We found that transferring management rights to local communities like landless and land poor in the form of community forestry (CF) has induced strong local level collective action in forest management and supported local livelihoods. Moreover, adding adaptive learning, as a methodological tool to improve governance and enhance local level collective action significantly improves the benefit of CF. It implies that a major rethinking is needed in the current policies that have often led to hostile relationships with the local inhabitants- particularly the illegal settlers. Instead, transferring forest rights to local communities and supporting them through technical aspects of forest management will strengthen local initiatives towards sustainable management of forests. 

scholarly journals Reconstructing the Concept of Forest-Based Enterprise Development in Nepal: Towards a Pro-Poor Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Pokharel ◽  
Dinesh Paudel ◽  
Peter Branney ◽  
Dil Bahadur Khatri ◽  
Mike Nurse
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Community Groups ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Non Timber Forest Products ◽  
Key Aspects

This paper demonstrates that community forests have high potential to make a significant contribution to rural income and employment through non-timber forest products enterprises particularly to the poor. The paper highlights a practical experience of the pro-poor entrepreneurship approach, its process, steps and outcomes through examination of a recently-developed enterprise in Jiri, Dolakha district of the central hills region of Nepal. The paper concludes that there are five key aspects which need additional attention for a successful pro-poor enterprise: the scale of the enterprise; pro-poor governance of community groups; necessary skills and capacity to empower the poor producers, both socially and economically; partnership building among private, community groups and poor households; and specialized services to tap competitive markets and conducive policy environment. Key Words: community forestry, poverty reduction, enterprise, entrepreneurship, equity, income generation, employment doi: 10.3126/jfl.v5i1.1981 Journal of Forest and Livelihood 5(1) February, 2006 pp.53-65

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document