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 />
“NSCFP developed the pro-poor enterprise model that provided shares to poor people and<br />
CFUGs. The credit ho<strong>we</strong>ver <strong>we</strong>nt to ANSAB [another NGO support<strong>in</strong>g local enterprises] as<br />
NSCFP gradually ceased this approach.”<br />
Dil Bahadur Khatri, Forest Action<br />
Box 9: <strong>Two</strong> Pro Poor forest management enterprises produc<strong>in</strong>g hand-made paper:<br />
one success and one failure<br />
The Everest Paper Mak<strong>in</strong>g Enterprise (full name-Everest Gateway Herbs Private<br />
Limited) located <strong>in</strong> Jiri, Dolakha district is a unique and successful model <strong>of</strong> a pro-poor<br />
enterprise. Established some seven years ago, it is managed through a share-hold<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mechanism promoted by NSCFP <strong>in</strong> a tripartite collaboration bet<strong>we</strong>en the private sector,<br />
CFUGs and the bipanna members <strong>of</strong> the CFUGs as share-holders. The enterprise<br />
share-holders <strong>in</strong>clude seven CFUGs, 126 bipanna households (selected through <strong>we</strong>ll<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g rank<strong>in</strong>g), 130 local entrepreneurs, 16 private <strong>in</strong>vestors and two <strong>in</strong>stitutions. NSCFP<br />
provided the share <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the enterprise on behalf <strong>of</strong> the bipanna households,<br />
and coach<strong>in</strong>g on organisational management. The local <strong>in</strong>frastructure project <strong>of</strong> Helvetas<br />
which is also funded by SDC supported the construction <strong>of</strong> a build<strong>in</strong>g. S<strong>in</strong>ce establishment,<br />
each bipanna household has received dividends four times, amount<strong>in</strong>g to more than Rs.<br />
5,000 per household. The enterprise employs 12 persons on a regular basis for at least 8<br />
months per year at the remuneration <strong>of</strong> Rs. 7,000 per month per person, whilst some 100<br />
persons are employed <strong>in</strong> collect<strong>in</strong>g raw material and fi rewood for three months per year.<br />
Factors militat<strong>in</strong>g towards its success <strong>have</strong> been<br />
• a strong will<strong>in</strong>gness and commitment to collaboration bet<strong>we</strong>en the local communities,<br />
the local <strong>forestry</strong> <strong>of</strong>fi cials and the private <strong>in</strong>vestor – all <strong>of</strong> whom come from the Jiri<br />
area,<br />
• the sound leadership <strong>of</strong> a <strong>we</strong>ll respected person from the locality.<br />
The ma<strong>in</strong> challenges faced by the enterprise are<br />
• a decl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g availability <strong>of</strong> raw materials.<br />
• delays <strong>in</strong> management related decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g process due to the tripartite<br />
governance system<br />
To overcome these problems, the enterprise consider<strong>in</strong>g possible alternative raw materials,<br />
product diversifi cation such as briquette production <strong>in</strong> addition to the paper, hir<strong>in</strong>g<br />
competent and skilled labour force, and a slim management committee etc. The Everest<br />
Gateway model challenged the conventional model <strong>in</strong> which elites engage to make pr<strong>of</strong>i t<br />
and the <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>of</strong> the poor and disadvantaged is limited to the provision <strong>of</strong> (<strong>of</strong>ten<br />
poorly paid) labour. Instead, it facilitated their economic empo<strong>we</strong>rment as equal partners <strong>of</strong><br />
an enterprise <strong>in</strong> which they <strong>have</strong> decisive management roles. Further, they <strong>have</strong> access to<br />
and <strong>in</strong>formation about employment opportunities as skilled labourers.<br />
The Likhu Khimti Forest Products Process<strong>in</strong>g Enterprise <strong>in</strong> Rasnalu, Ramecchap was<br />
established <strong>in</strong> 2007, <strong>in</strong> recognition <strong>of</strong> the rich lokta (Daphne spp) resources <strong>in</strong> the local<br />
<strong>community</strong> forests, and the perceived strong demand for hand-made paper <strong>in</strong> Kathmandu.<br />
Eight CFUGs came together, with technical advice and support from NSCFP and others. A<br />
total 42 bipanna <strong>we</strong>re selected to receive priority <strong>in</strong> wage labour opportunities, as <strong>we</strong>ll as<br />
shares <strong>in</strong> the enterprise. Each was allocated Rs 7,000 <strong>in</strong> shares, but despite their <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
bipanna households <strong>we</strong>re not <strong>in</strong> a position to buy share. FECOFUN and one local service<br />
provider approached the project together with some representatives <strong>of</strong> CFUG committee<br />
and bipanna to the project to provide them Rs 294,000. NSCFP provided that sum <strong>of</strong> money<br />
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