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 />
For others, the confl ict accelerated the process <strong>of</strong> social transformation –<br />
particularly the movement aga<strong>in</strong>st discrim<strong>in</strong>ation based on caste, ethnicity and<br />
gender. S<strong>in</strong>ce local elites <strong>we</strong>re challenged and sometimes chased out by the Maoists,<br />
they could no longer cont<strong>in</strong>ue overtly discrim<strong>in</strong>atory practices – particularly<br />
towards Dalits and others <strong>of</strong> disadvantaged backgrounds. Social acceptance <strong>of</strong><br />
specifi c measures to improve the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> the poor, listen to their op<strong>in</strong>ions,<br />
and pro-actively <strong>in</strong>clude them <strong>in</strong> development dialogue, also grew. Another positive<br />
effect was that fund management by CFUGs generally improved, becom<strong>in</strong>g<br />
more pro-poor and less subject to misuse. This may be expla<strong>in</strong>ed by the threat <strong>of</strong><br />
Maoists confi scat<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>community</strong> funds.<br />
“I feel that the confl ict situation helped NSCFP to become more <strong>in</strong>clusive and pro-poor <strong>in</strong> a<br />
very effective way. So <strong>in</strong> that sense, the confl ict created on environment for NSCFP to be<br />
more pro-poor.”<br />
Damber Tembe, NORMS<br />
“The Swiss policy was understood by the rebels as ‘apolitical’ and impartial, so the rebels<br />
<strong>we</strong>re s<strong>of</strong>t towards the Swiss. The pro poor programme <strong>of</strong> NSCFP was very compatible with<br />
the aim <strong>of</strong> the rebels who <strong>we</strong>re also fi ght<strong>in</strong>g for the poorest and voiceless.”<br />
Usha Dahal, NSCFP<br />
“...<strong>we</strong> carried out the programme satisfactorily by build<strong>in</strong>g their trust and confi dence on<br />
our work<strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>in</strong>ciple and strategies towards the livelihoods improvement <strong>of</strong> poor and<br />
disadvantaged group <strong>of</strong> societies. We conv<strong>in</strong>ced them on the pro-poor programme and<br />
democratic <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong> approach as the <strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g tool for social transformation.”<br />
Ganga B, Bishwakarma, Forest Development Offi cer, Okhaldhunga<br />
In conclusion, the CSPM approach <strong>of</strong> SDC has been widely hailed as a success<br />
– most notably <strong>in</strong> enabl<strong>in</strong>g project activities to cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>in</strong> the fi eld, albeit at a highly<br />
reduced and adapted level. In seek<strong>in</strong>g to support <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong> <strong>in</strong> remote<br />
areas, NSCFP was amongst those projects that <strong>we</strong>re especially challenged by the<br />
security situation, yet it managed to cont<strong>in</strong>ue at least some activities throughout<br />
the entire confl ict period. The local trust and credibility thus generated has been an<br />
important factor <strong>in</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ued work dur<strong>in</strong>g post-confl ict times.<br />
Key issues for the future<br />
It is hoped that the peace-build<strong>in</strong>g process will br<strong>in</strong>g a permanent end to the<br />
confl ict, and that CSPM will thus become an approach <strong>of</strong> the past. At the same<br />
time, the confl ict is not yet fully over, and it will not be for sure until disparities based<br />
on class, caste, ethnicity, gender, remoteness and vulnerability are addressed.<br />
Commitment to address such issues is therefore needed, always keep<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
approach <strong>of</strong> adaptability to chang<strong>in</strong>g conditions. In this context, the follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
lessons may be <strong>learned</strong>.<br />
• The “do no harm” approach <strong>of</strong> analys<strong>in</strong>g options accord<strong>in</strong>g to how they will<br />
impact on whom, can also be used <strong>in</strong> the post-confl ict period and is <strong>in</strong>deed<br />
highly suitable for it.<br />
• NSCFP’s attempts to target the poorest households <strong>in</strong> the most remote parts <strong>of</strong><br />
the districts <strong>we</strong>re <strong>in</strong> fact an important vehicle <strong>of</strong> CSPM, and generated respect<br />
from all parties. Address<strong>in</strong>g such spatial poverty should be cont<strong>in</strong>ued.<br />
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