Forest Cover Change Pattern after the Intervention of Community Forestry Management System in the Mid-Hill of Nepal: A Case Study

An account of widespread degradation and deforestation in Nepal has been noticed in various literature sources. Although the contribution of community forests (CF) on the improvement of forest cover and condition in the Mid-hill of Nepal is positive, detailed study to understand the current situation seems important. The study area (Tanahun District) lies in the Gandaki Province of western Nepal. The objective of this study was to estimate the forest cover change over the specified period and to identify factors influencing the change. We used Landsat images from the years 1976, 1991, and 2015 to classify land use and land cover. We considered community perception in addition to the forest cover map to understand the different causes of forest cover change. Forest cover decreased from 1976 to 1991 annually at a rate of 0.96%. After 1991, the forest increased annually at a rate of 0.63%. The overall forest cover in the district regained its original status. Factors related to increasing forest cover were emigration, occupation shift, agroforestry practices, as well as particularly by plantation on barren lands, awareness among forest users, and conservation activities conducted by local inhabitants after the government forest was handed over to community members as a community forest management system.

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Socio-economic factors and management regimes as drivers of tree cover change in Nepal

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4855 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4855 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sujata Shrestha ◽

Uttam B. Shrestha ◽

Kamal Bawa

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Tree Cover ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Positive Contribution ◽

Forest Cover Change ◽

Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽

Community Forests ◽

Socio Economic Factors

Despite the local and global importance of forests, deforestation is driven by various socio-economic and biophysical factors continues in many countries. In Nepal, in response to massive deforestation, the community forestry program has been implemented to reduce deforestation and support livelihoods. After four decades of its inception, the effectiveness of this program on forest cover change remains mostly unknown. This study analyses the spatial and temporal patterns of tree cover change along with a few socio-economic drivers of tree cover change to examine the effectiveness of the community forestry program for conserving forests or in reducing deforestation. We also investigate the socio-economic factors and policy responses as manifested through the community forestry program responsible for the tree cover change at the district level. The total tree cover area in the year 2000 in Nepal was ∼4,746,000 hectares, and our analysis reveals that between 2001 and 2016, Nepal has lost ∼46,000 ha and gained ∼12,200 ha of areas covered by trees with a substantial spatial and temporal variations. After accounting socio-economic drivers of forest cover change, our analysis showed that districts with the larger number of community forests had a minimum loss in tree cover, while districts with the higher proportion of vegetation covered by community forests had a maximum gain in tree cover. This indicates a positive contribution of the community forestry program to reducing deforestation and increasing tree cover.

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Applications of single-tree selection guideline following a DBq approach on Nepal’s community forests

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v27i3.20555 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 104-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

E. Cedamon ◽

G. Paudel ◽

M. Basyal ◽

I. Nuberg ◽

K. K. Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Community Forestry ◽

Selection System ◽

Community Forest Management ◽

Community Forest ◽

Community Forests ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Single Tree Selection ◽

Crown Thinning ◽

Forest Users ◽

Pinus Spp

There is growing interest by forest users, government forest officers and policy makers on maximising forest goods and livelihood provisions from community forestry in a sustainable manner. However, the way several mature community forests are currently managed based on selection, e.g. negative thinning and crown thinning, is questionable as it results to decline in forest stock, timber quality and regeneration. To assist forest users in managing their community forests, an action research was implemented in Kavre and Lamjung to manage planted Pine (Pinus spp.) and naturally regenerated Sal (Shorea robusta) through selection system. This paper describes the q-factor and its relevance for sustainable community forest management in Nepal. The simple guideline for selection system introduced to 30 community forest users groups in six sites are presented for wider adoption and policy recommendation.Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for NepalSpecial Issue No. 4, 2018, Page: 104-112

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Between socio-economic drivers and policy response: spatial and temporal patterns of tree cover change in Nepal

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26859 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sujata Shrestha ◽

Uttam B Shrestha ◽

Kamal Bawa

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Temporal Patterns ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Tree Cover ◽

Positive Contribution ◽

Forest Cover Change ◽

Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽

Community Forests ◽

Year 2000

Despite the local and global importance of forests, deforestation driven by various socio-economic and biophysical factors continues in many countries. In Nepal, in response to massive deforestation, the community forestry program has been implemented to reduce deforestation and support livelihoods. After four decades of its inception, the effectiveness of this program on forest cover change remains mostly unknown. This study analyses the spatial and temporal patterns of tree cover change along with a few socio-economic drivers of tree cover change to examine the effectiveness of the community forestry program for conserving forests or in reducing deforestation. We also investigate the socio-economic factors and policy responses as manifested through the community forestry program responsible for the tree cover change at the district level. The total tree cover area in the year 2000 in Nepal was ~ 4,746,000 hectares, and our analysis reveals that between 2001 and 2016, Nepal has lost ~46,000 ha and gained ~12,300 ha of areas covered by trees with a substantial spatial and temporal variations. After accounting socio-economic drivers of forest cover change, our analysis showed that districts with the larger number of community forests had a minimum loss in tree cover, while districts with higher proportion of vegetation covered by community forests had a maximum gain in tree cover. This indicates a positive contribution of the community forestry program to reducing deforestation and increasing tree cover.

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Between socio-economic drivers and policy response: spatial and temporal patterns of tree cover change in Nepal

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26859v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sujata Shrestha ◽

Uttam B Shrestha ◽

Kamal Bawa

Keyword(s):

Forest Cover ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Temporal Patterns ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Tree Cover ◽

Positive Contribution ◽

Forest Cover Change ◽

Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽

Community Forests ◽

Year 2000

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Linking land use and forestry transition with depopulation in rural Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v27i3.20558 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 130-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Poudel ◽

G. Kafle ◽

K. Khanal ◽

S. Dhungana ◽

B. N. Oli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Landsat Images ◽

Land Use Transition ◽

Community Forests ◽

Tree Coverage ◽

Forest Users ◽

Education Markets

Migration borne depopulation has been emerging as a new dimension of conservation challenges. Existing body of knowledge, however, lack in-depth understanding of this emerging dynamics of depopulation and its forestry implications. Aiming to analyze implications of migration borne land use transition, this study investigated the nature and impacts of migration in rural communities involved in managing community forestry and other tree resources This study was grounded in the experiences and perceptions of community forest users groups in Parbat and Lamjung districts and applied a pragmatic approach to social science, involving the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 218 semi-structured interviews, two focus group discussions and three stakeholders’ consultations were conducted. Spatial changes in land use were analyzed using Landsat images of 2000 and 2016 and other existing land use maps.The study found decreasing trend of population growth and identified out-migration of local youth as the main driver. Identified underpinning causes motivating for migration include desire of higher education, employment and resettlement, poverty and poor access to education, markets and other opportunities. This study found negative correlation between migration and farming activities but positive correlation between forest and tree coverage. Forests and other woodland increased but none forest area, most of which were farmlands, decreased. Community forests were getting denser but they lack proper management, abandoned farmlands were turning into bushes, which have increased the risk of forest fire. This study showed very poor understanding of REDD+ and related issues at community level and suggests substantial gaps in policies and procedures to translate migration borne land use transition into opportunities for generating multiple benefits including carbon finance as an additional benefit. Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for Nepal Special Issue No. 4, 2018, Page: 130-143

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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 ◽

Forest Users

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

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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 Management ◽

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

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The Type of Land We Want: Exploring the Limits of Community Forestry in Tanzania and Bolivia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11061643 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1643 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nicole Gross-Camp ◽

Iokine Rodriguez ◽

Adrian Martin ◽

Mirna Inturias ◽

Glory Massao

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Land ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Community Forest Management ◽

Community Forest ◽

Community Forests ◽

Financial Benefits ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Multifunctional Landscape ◽

Community Conflicts

We explore local people’s perspectives of community forest (CF) on their land in Tanzania and Bolivia. Community forest management is known to improve ecological conditions of forests, but is more variable in its social outcomes. Understanding communities’ experience of community forestry and the potential benefits and burdens its formation may place on a community will likely help in predicting its sustainability as a forest and land management model. Six villages, two in Tanzania and four in Bolivia, were selected based on the presence of community forestry in varying stages. We found that communities were generally supportive of existing community forests but cautious of their expansion. Deeper explorations of this response using ethnographic research methods reveal that an increase in community forest area is associated with increasing opportunity costs and constraints on agricultural land use, but not an increase in benefits. Furthermore, community forests give rise to a series of intra- and inter-community conflicts, often pertaining to the financial benefits stemming from the forests (distribution issues), perceived unfairness and weakness in decision–making processes (procedure/participation), and also tensions over cultural identity issues (recognition). Our findings suggest that communities’ willingness to accept community forests requires a broader consideration of the multifunctional landscape in which it is embedded, as well as an engagement with the justice tensions such an intervention inevitably creates.

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Green Vegetation Cover Has Steadily Increased since Establishment of Community Forests in Western Chitwan, Nepal

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12244071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (24) ◽

pp. 4071

Author(s):

Jie Dai ◽

Dar A. Roberts ◽

Douglas A. Stow ◽

Li An ◽

Qunshan Zhao

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Cover ◽

Vegetation Dynamics ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Local Community ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Community Forestry ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Community Forests ◽

Green Vegetation ◽

Local Residents

Community forests have been established worldwide to sustainably manage forest ecosystem services while maintaining the livelihoods of local residents. The Chitwan National Park in Nepal is a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot, where community forests were consolidated in the park’s buffer zone after 1993. These western Chitwan community forests stand as the frontiers of human–environment interactions, nurturing endangered large mammal species while providing significant natural resources for local residents. Nevertheless, no systematic forest cover assessment has been conducted for these forests since their establishment. In this study, we examined the green vegetation dynamics of these community forests for the years 1988–2018 using Landsat surface reflectance products. Combining an automatic water extraction index, spectral mixture analysis and the normalized difference fraction index (NDFI), we developed water masks and quantified the water-adjusted green vegetation fractions and NDFI values in the forests. Results showed that all forests have been continuously greening up since their establishment, and the average green vegetation cover of all forests increased from approximately 30% in 1988 to above 70% in 2018. With possible contributions from the invasion of exotic understory plant species, we credit community forestry programs for some of the green-up signals. Monitoring of forest vegetation dynamics is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of community forestry as well as developing sustainable forest management policies. Our research will provide positive feedbacks to local community forest committees and users.

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Understanding 34 Years of Forest Cover Dynamics across the Paraguayan Chaco: Characterizing Annual Changes and Forest Fragmentation Levels between 1987 and 2020

Forests ◽

10.3390/f13010025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Emmanuel Da Da Ponte ◽

Monserrat García-Calabrese ◽

Jennifer Kriese ◽

Nestor Cabral ◽

Lidia Perez de Perez de Molas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Forest Cover Change ◽

Landsat Images ◽

Forest Clearing ◽

Deforestation Rates ◽

Degree Of Fragmentation

Over the past 40 years, Paraguay has lost the majority of its natural forest cover, thus becoming one of the countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. The rapid expansion of the agricultural frontier, cattle ranching, and illegal logging between 1987 and 2012 resulted in the loss of 27% of original forest cover, equivalent to almost 44,000 km2. Within this context, the present research provides the first yearly analysis of forest cover change in the Paraguayan Chaco between the years 1987 and 2020. Remote sensing data obtained from Landsat images were applied to derive annual forest cover masks and deforestation rates over 34 years. Part of this study is a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of protected areas, as well as an analysis of the degree of fragmentation of the forest. All classification results obtained accuracies above 80% and revealed a total forest cover loss of approximately 64,700 km2. Forest clearing within protected areas was not frequent; however, some natural reserves presented losses of up to 25% of their forest cover. Through the consideration of several landscape metrics, this study reveals an onward fragmentation of forest cover, which endangers the natural habitat of numerous species.

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