Adaptive collaborative management of community forests in Asia ...
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Chapter 3: <strong>Adaptive</strong>ness and Collaboration <strong>in</strong> Community Forestry <strong>in</strong> Nepal • 85<br />
had been addressed and new processes, such as self-monitor<strong>in</strong>g, had been<br />
established dur<strong>in</strong>g the first research phase, the subsequent need for time<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments dropped. We also suggest, however, that despite efforts to<br />
transfer facilitation roles from researchers to local actors by the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
first phase, it is likely that CFUG members, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g potential facilitators,<br />
had come to view facilitation as the responsibility <strong>of</strong> outside actors. They<br />
likely felt some lack <strong>of</strong> ownership over the tole meet<strong>in</strong>gs, and the meet<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
became less active and effective.<br />
Thus, issues <strong>of</strong> ownership and local facilitation are critical. Based on our<br />
assessments, the dim<strong>in</strong>ished facilitation <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>terim period is associated<br />
with decreases <strong>in</strong> overall momentum and outcomes (rather than ongo<strong>in</strong>g<br />
albeit oscillat<strong>in</strong>g constructive evolution that occurred with facilitation). In<br />
two Bamdibhir and Deurali-Bagedanda, local actors cont<strong>in</strong>ued to facilitate<br />
CFUG processes (although less actively than <strong>in</strong> the first phase), whereas<br />
<strong>in</strong> Manakamana and Andheri Bhajana, the facilitation role played by local<br />
actors either did not take root or decreased significantly for various reasons.<br />
The overall pattern, based on our prelim<strong>in</strong>ary assessments, was that the<br />
two CFUGs that had more facilitation by local actors <strong>in</strong> the 2002–2004<br />
period experienced greater positive change <strong>in</strong> access to decision mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for marg<strong>in</strong>alised users, transparency, and equity <strong>in</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> forest<br />
benefits. Interest<strong>in</strong>gly, <strong>in</strong> both these sites, the facilitation was largely taken<br />
up by local actors who were engaged <strong>in</strong> the meso level (such as through<br />
district-level FECOFUN) rather only at the CFUG level. We cont<strong>in</strong>ue to<br />
explore these questions: <strong>in</strong> the second research phase the facilitation is<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g led from the outset entirely by local and meso-level facilitators rather<br />
than by researchers. Indications at the time <strong>of</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g are that the careful<br />
selection, tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and backstopp<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> all facilitators from the outset <strong>of</strong> a<br />
change process—as well as the network<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> these facilitators across sites<br />
and levels—is a much more powerful tool for <strong>in</strong>stitutionalis<strong>in</strong>g changes<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>community</strong> forestry process and practice than leadership by ‘external’<br />
facilitators with efforts to transfer roles.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Community forestry has evolved and matured impressively <strong>in</strong> Nepal. The<br />
context is so complex and dynamic, however, and the need to produce<br />
equitable livelihood benefits so urgent that more <strong>in</strong>clusive, flexible and<br />
responsive practices are essential. In this chapter we have highlighted<br />
lessons from participatory action research about such <strong>in</strong>novation. The