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 />
mitigation measures <strong>in</strong> response to climate change, good potential was identifi ed<br />
for mak<strong>in</strong>g such an explicit l<strong>in</strong>k <strong>in</strong> the future. Whilst both NSCFP and LFP <strong>we</strong>re<br />
found to <strong>have</strong> made signifi cant contributions to <strong>forestry</strong> policy, the strong and<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued resistance on the part <strong>of</strong> government to certa<strong>in</strong> pro-poor reform<br />
measures (especially the commercialisation <strong>of</strong> forest products) was highlighted.<br />
Simply put: there are still many challenges ahead.<br />
As a fi nal po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong> refl ection, it has been estimated that, if all activities are taken<br />
<strong>in</strong>to account and calculated at their real value (rather than voluntary unpaid<br />
contribution), the annual cost <strong>of</strong> <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong> per CFUG is approximately<br />
NRs 119,100. Of this, the government bears about 13%, donors <strong>have</strong> so far<br />
provided about 16%, and the rest, an overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g 71%, is borne by local<br />
communities themselves (Pokharel et al, 2008; Bhattarai, 2011). Over the last 20<br />
years, SDC has provided some CHF 22 million <strong>in</strong> support <strong>of</strong> <strong>community</strong> <strong>forestry</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong>. Whilst it would be dis<strong>in</strong>genuous to calculate the contribution <strong>of</strong> local<br />
communities <strong>in</strong> the NSCFP area aga<strong>in</strong>st this fi gure, it is nevertheless worth<br />
consider<strong>in</strong>g their huge <strong>in</strong>vestment and commitment - especially as some 39% <strong>of</strong><br />
CFUG members are, by any defi nition, liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> poverty. The value <strong>of</strong> <strong>community</strong><br />
<strong>forestry</strong> to them lies <strong>in</strong> secur<strong>in</strong>g their long term access to and rights over forest<br />
resources, and <strong>in</strong> afford<strong>in</strong>g membership <strong>of</strong> a local decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g body that is<br />
expected to function democratically, and to treat its members with dignity.<br />
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