Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned?
Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned?
Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned?
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<strong>Two</strong> <strong>decades</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong>: <strong>What</strong> <strong>have</strong> <strong>we</strong> <strong>learned</strong>?<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the CFUG, and any queries clarifi ed. Legally, they must also be audited<br />
– although this is diffi cult to enforce. Nevertheless, project fi gures show that among<br />
919 CFUGs surveyed, 87% <strong>of</strong> CFUGs <strong>in</strong> the project area audited their accounts<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g local auditors, with endorsement from the public audit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> their general<br />
assembly. The project auditors also made spot checks. Overall, the <strong>in</strong>come<br />
generated by CFUGs has shown a very steady <strong>in</strong>crease. Chhetry (2010) 15 , shows<br />
that sample average annual <strong>in</strong>comes <strong>in</strong>creased from Rs 21,336 <strong>in</strong> 2000 to Rs 80,103<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2008 – and appear to <strong>have</strong> further <strong>in</strong>creased s<strong>in</strong>ce then. As fi nancial volumes<br />
grow, the risk <strong>of</strong> mal-practice might be expected to rise. Instead, over the years the<br />
project observed a trend towards <strong>in</strong>creased transparency and accountability, with<br />
corrupt practices becom<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly unacceptable. The example below, given<br />
by Keshav Paudel, is typical.<br />
“As part <strong>of</strong> my duties, I <strong>have</strong> accompanied members <strong>of</strong> the project’s audit fi rm <strong>in</strong> their fi eld<br />
<strong>in</strong>spections. One I remember particularly was Tauke Danda CFUG <strong>in</strong> Lyang-lyang VDC,<br />
Ramechhap. We realised that the group had a very small bank balance, and Rs. 10,000<br />
<strong>in</strong>vested <strong>in</strong> a loan. The committee was uncomfortable about speak<strong>in</strong>g on this matter, and it<br />
was only after much persuasion that the chairwoman admitted the problem. The previous<br />
chairperson – an <strong>in</strong>fl uential <strong>in</strong>dividual - had absconded with the money, and they felt<br />
po<strong>we</strong>rless to do anyth<strong>in</strong>g. We suggested that they took up the matter <strong>in</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong> person<br />
with FECOFUN and the DFO. This they did, and the man was threatened with legal action.<br />
He then started pay<strong>in</strong>g back the money <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>stalments, and fi nally made good his debt.”<br />
Keshav Paudel, F<strong>in</strong>ance Manager NSCFP<br />
Equity<br />
Equity implies a fair shar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> benefi ts, not just an<br />
equal share. One part <strong>of</strong> equity promotion by NSCFP<br />
has been the emphasis placed on mak<strong>in</strong>g special<br />
provision for the poor and disadvantaged – as outl<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
<strong>in</strong> the section on pro-poor livelihoods. Equitable<br />
decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g is not, ho<strong>we</strong>ver, limited to such<br />
provision. It is about <strong>in</strong>tegrat<strong>in</strong>g the concept <strong>of</strong> fairness<br />
<strong>in</strong>to all decisions, a concept that the project sought to<br />
stress through governance coach<strong>in</strong>g. For example,<br />
herders wish<strong>in</strong>g to pasture their animals <strong>in</strong> the forest will<br />
be expected to pay for the privilege – but the amount<br />
should be determ<strong>in</strong>ed accord<strong>in</strong>g to their <strong>we</strong>alth, and<br />
degree <strong>of</strong> forest use.<br />
Equitable decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g can be assessed from<br />
the way that a CFUG allocates its budget <strong>in</strong> a broad<br />
manner, apart from specifi c allocation to the poor.<br />
Expenditure on <strong>community</strong> <strong>in</strong>frastructure and<br />
development <strong>in</strong> the project area rose from an annual<br />
average <strong>of</strong> Rs 2,491 <strong>in</strong> 2000 to Rs 11,974 <strong>in</strong> 2008, and<br />
Equity <strong>in</strong> <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong> is vital for the poor<br />
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