Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned?

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Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned? quality. Although the shrubs from which traditional paper is made are quite common, and sustainable harvesting techniques exist and are known, it is still possible to deplete the resource if harvesting levels are not fi xed and respected. This has sometimes occurred (albeit not to a grave extent), despite the fact that NSCFP developed sustainable harvesting guidelines in the late 1990s. It was found that every CFUG involved in lokta and argeli harvesting needed coaching in sustainable methods; once this need was identifi ed, NSCFP took steps to address it. Processing fi bre to make traditional paper is quite labour intensive, and does not always offer attractive pay unless a good price for the product can be obtained. It is for this reason that quality assurance is crucial. There is plenty of poor quality paper available on the market, but manufactures of “value added” paper products in Kathmandu will pay a premium for good quality paper. NSCFP was able to facilitate this crucial link between the producer and a Kathmandu based buyer, resulting in quality issues being addressed, in the case of Everest Enterprises. Other paper producing enterprises could, however, not reach similar standards. “Challenges of forest based enterprises have not been well addressed. As a result of this approach, paper factories in Ramechhap are now on the verge of collapse.” Govinda Man Shrestha, FECOFUN Forest users making essential oil from winter green plants Essential oil extraction, most notably of wintergreen, is another small scale forest-based industry drawing on a quite plentiful supply of raw materials – although again in this case it was found necessary to revisit the harvesting guidelines prepared by NSCFP in the late 1990s and ensure that CFUGs were properly coached in sustainable practices. By 2010, some 16 small distillation units producing wintergreen oil existed in Dolakha district, whilst in Ramechhap, two enterprises were producing a variety of oils. Project 64
Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned? records show that over the fi scal year 2009/10, a total of 893.5 kg essential oil was produced from these units. However, there is one major concern in the whole essential oil value chain, which is that whilst the wage rate has increased (to be competitive with other wage labour opportunities), the price paid for the oil has barely altered. The result is that it is increasingly diffi cult to cover the cost of production. Furthermore, one company has a near monopoly on oil purchases. It argues that prices on the international market are low, due to competition with cheap Chinese oils, but the full situation is more complicated. It is known, for example, that the company has made some ventures into the sale of certifi ed organic oil, but has not passed on the greater margin made on such oil to the CFUGs (who have incurred costs from the certifi cation). NSCFP addressed such issues by attempting to bring greater transparency and information to shareholders in the essential oil enterprises. It also investigated other market outlets, particularly with organic or “Fair Wild” labelling, although these could not be secured within the project lifetime. Resin is a natural product of the Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), a tree species that occurs widely in the project area. Resin tapping is practiced to a limited extent in the project area, mainly in Ramechhap district– where resin-tapping companies have government permission to tap resin; in community forests, they have to make an annual agreement with the CFUG concerned and Resin tapping from pine trees is increasing in community forest pay them the (government set) royalty. NSCFP played a supporting role in a policy campaign to increase the revenue on resin – conducted through advocacy and refl ection meetings between stakeholders and the Ministry. As a result, the price was recently increased a signifi cant amount, from Rs. 3 to Rs.7 per kilogram. “The sharp increment in the [government-controlled] revenue for resin has encouraged CFUGs and local people to participate in resin extraction in Ramechhap. Out of 404 CFUGs handed over so far in Ramechhap, 53 of them have potential for resin extraction.” Ratna B. Newar, the Secretary of the Tamakoshi Resin and Turpentine Private Limited, Ramechhap 65
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TWO DECADES OF COMMUNITY FORESTRY I
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Namdu, Dolakha, 1989 Namdu, Dolakha
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FOREWORD Over 20 years ago, the Swi
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List of Abbreviations AIDS : Acquir
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CONTENTS Foreword .................
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1. INTRODUCTION Two decades of comm
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Two decades of community forestry i
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Page 41 and 42: With regard to the participation of
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Two decades of community forestry in Nepal: What have we learned?

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