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?
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<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 />
became markedly more “socially focused”. The reasons for this could be many,<br />
but rigorous coach<strong>in</strong>g and monitor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>have</strong> an effect on the ground. Thus it was<br />
common <strong>in</strong> earlier times for CFUGs to spend considerable funds on temples and<br />
<strong>community</strong> build<strong>in</strong>gs that <strong>we</strong>re used by the elites and added to their social prestige;<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten Dalits <strong>we</strong>re not even allo<strong>we</strong>d <strong>in</strong>to these temples. By the end <strong>of</strong> the project,<br />
<strong>community</strong> expenditure was more on items that either benefi t all <strong>community</strong><br />
members equally (such as stretchers or similar items related to health care), or<br />
are “poor friendly” (such as dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g water supplies to poorer, disadvantaged<br />
hamlets). F<strong>in</strong>ally, CFUGs <strong>have</strong> become a signifi cant source <strong>of</strong> local credit –<br />
provid<strong>in</strong>g loans at what is considered a reasonable <strong>in</strong>terest rate. This was some<br />
24% per annum, but dropped recently, sometimes to as low as 12% per annum. In<br />
general, default rates are low – thus the CFUG benefi ts, as do the members tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
loans. In most cases, they would otherwise either not be able to obta<strong>in</strong> credit, or<br />
be subject to far higher <strong>in</strong>terest rates – local money lenders usually demand a rate<br />
some three times higher. (Rural credit is nevertheless a complicated matter – see<br />
Chhetri and Tims<strong>in</strong>a, 2010).<br />
In general terms, the promotion <strong>of</strong> equity with<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual CFUGs is now<br />
unquestioned. An issue that is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly questioned, ho<strong>we</strong>ver, is how to promote<br />
equity bet<strong>we</strong>en CFUGs – some <strong>of</strong> which <strong>have</strong> the good fortune <strong>of</strong> large, rich<br />
forests whilst others <strong>have</strong> far smaller forests that may be poor <strong>in</strong> desired species?<br />
Whilst part <strong>of</strong> forest richness and diversity may be attributed to management, much<br />
relates to simple site location. It has been proposed that a tax on CFUGs could be<br />
paid to VDCs or even to the district level, to DDCs, but these are mechanisms that,<br />
whilst discussed <strong>in</strong> project circles, <strong>have</strong> not been possible to test.<br />
Inclusive participation<br />
The way <strong>in</strong> which NSCFP sought to<br />
encourage the participation <strong>of</strong><br />
women and Dalits <strong>in</strong> CFUG decision<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g, and particularly <strong>in</strong> their<br />
representation <strong>in</strong> committee<br />
positions, has already been<br />
discussed <strong>in</strong> the specifi c section<br />
on this topic. Inclusive participation<br />
<strong>of</strong> course means that the views<br />
<strong>of</strong> everyone are expressed, heard<br />
and taken <strong>in</strong>to account <strong>in</strong> decisionmak<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
This goes beyond numbers<br />
present or even representation<br />
<strong>in</strong> committees. It requires good,<br />
Issues related to class, caste, gender and eth<strong>in</strong>icity are discussed<br />
<strong>in</strong>clusive leadership and group<br />
demand. Aga<strong>in</strong>, governance coach<strong>in</strong>g was an important tool for promot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>clusivity; specifi c capacity build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> leadership skills also contributed.<br />
40