Leadership training on restoration for community leaders

A four days leadership training for restoration champions was successfully organised at Gabhar Valley Homestay, Banke from 24 th -27 th December 2025. The training was attended by 24 participants from ten districts of Lumbini and Karnali Provinces. Participants were leaders and members of community working on forest management and agriculture. This training conceptualised needs, process and outputs of restoration. It highlighted and focused on various conventional and emerging challenges on restoration. Participants discussed about participatory and inclusive restoration and learnt how traditional management approaches including, farm-forest interfaces support in restoration. While learning and sharing various aspects of restoration, participants also got the opportunity to experience culture of indigenous Tharu community.

Implemented under the ‘Reducing Environmental Degradation in Asia and Africa (REDAA)’ project, funded by the UK International Development and managed by IIED, the training was conducted in a natural environment using interactive and various participatory methods such as voting, quizzes, games, jungle walks, matching activities, debate and group work. Activities were designed to foster mutual learning among participants, between project team and the participants. Participants highly appreciated this experimental approach. The event also provided trainers an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences and local practiced shared during formal and informal sessions.

Validation of agroforestry guideline for climate adaptation and sustainable land use

As part of the Building Agroforestry-Based Adaptation Plans for Resilient Floodplains (BAGAR) project, ForestAction Nepal facilitated Agroforestry Guideline Validation Workshops for Marin Rural Municipality and Gadhimai Municipality at Bardibas and Rautahat, respectively, during 21–26 December 2025.

The validation workshops aimed to ensure that the draft municipal agroforestry guidelines were technically sound, locally relevant, and aligned with municipal priorities and existing policy
frameworks. Members of the municipal-level Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Forums, comprising elected representatives, municipal officials, technical staff, and key stakeholders, actively participated in the review and validation process.

During the workshops, participants examined key provisions of the draft agroforestry guidelines, discussed proposed implementation mechanisms, and provided constructive feedback based on local floodplain contexts, prevailing land-use practices, and climate-related risks. The discussions highlighted the role of agroforestry in strengthening climate resilience, enhancing sustainable livelihoods, and improving ecosystem services in riverine and flood-prone landscapes.

As an outcome of the process, the Gadhimai Municipality formally approved and validated the Agroforestry Guideline, while Marin Rural Municipality endorsed the guideline for finalisation. The validation process resulted in the endorsement of priority recommendations for refining the guidelines, including some clarification of institutional roles, implementation modalities, and
mechanisms for integration into municipal planning and budgeting processes. These validation workshops mark an important milestone in strengthening local ownership and institutionalisation of agroforestry practices, contributing to long-term climate adaptation and sustainable land-use planning in the project areas.

 

ForestAction Nepal: 25 years of research and policy engagement

On 20th December 2025, ForestAction Nepal celebrated its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of research and policy engagement in forests, agriculture and natural resource management. The Minister of Forests and Environment attended as the Chief Guest of the event along with other delegates from environment, agriculture, research, policy sectors and development partners.

The highlight of the celebration was the inauguration of ForestAction Nepal’s book consisting of 25 years of learnings and reflection in NRM and policy engagement. A critical panel discussion was held addressing the contemporary issues and practices of NRM and future strategies. The participants were also presented with displays of various publications. models of ecosystems and other engaging activities. The evening concluded with tasting of various local dishes, highlighting organic foods and farming.

Click here for ForestAction Nepal’s 25 Years in Action book

फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालले वन, कृषि तथा समग्र प्राकृतिक स्रोत व्यवस्थापनका क्षेत्रमा अनुसन्धान र नीतिगत संलग्नतामा बिताएका गौरवमय २५ वर्षको अवसरमा रजत जयन्ती कार्यक्रम मिति २० डिसेम्बर २०२५ का दिन सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न गरेको छ।

उक्त कार्यक्रममा संघीय वन तथा वातावरण मन्त्री, बागमती प्रदेश सभाका उपसभामुख, राष्ट्रपति चुरे–तराई मधेश संरक्षण विकास समितिका अध्यक्ष, कृषि तथा पशुपन्छी विकास मन्त्रालयका सचिव, राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगका पूर्व उपाध्यक्ष, पूर्व सांसद, पूर्व राजदूत, संघीय वन तथा कृषि मन्त्रालय अन्तर्गतका विभिन्न विभागका महानिर्देशकहरू, नेपाल, अमेरिका, बेलायत, अष्टे«लिया तथा क्यानडाका विश्वविद्यालय तथा अनुसन्धानमुलक संस्थाका प्राध्यापक, कुटनीतिज्ञ, तथा अनुसन्धान वैज्ञानिकहरू, सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघका अध्यक्ष तथा अन्य नागरिक समाज संस्थाका प्रमुख एवं प्रतिनिधिहरू, सामाजिक विषयवस्तुमा विशिष्टता हासिल गरेका शैक्षिक÷प्राज्ञिक व्यक्तित्वहरू, अनुसन्धानकर्ता तथा वरिष्ठ सञ्चारकर्मीहरूको उल्लेखनीय उपस्थिति रहेको थियो।

कार्यक्रमअन्तर्गत सहभागीहरूबीच Evidence–based participatory action research, सामुदायिक वन तथा समग्र प्राकृतिक स्रोत व्यवस्थापनका क्षेत्रमा भएका प्रयासहरू र भावी रणनीतिहरूका विषयमा गहन चिन्तन तथा आलोचनात्मक बहस गरिएको थियो। साथै, फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालको २५ वर्षे यात्राका सिकाइ र आत्ममन्थन समेटिएको पुस्तकको लोकार्पण, विभिन्न प्रकाशनहरूको प्रदर्शनी, प्राकृतिक स्रोत र कृषि प्रणालीका नमुनाहरूको अवलोकन, तथा जैविक खाद्य प्रवद्र्धनका लागि रैथाने परिकारको स्वादसहितको ‘रैथाने खाद्य साँझ’ कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरिएको थियो।

लोकार्पित पुस्तकबाट केही अंश– “हामीले परिकल्पना गरेका सबै लक्ष्य र उद्देश्यहरू पूर्ण रूपमा हासिल गर्न सकेका छैनौँ, न त सबै परियोजना तथा सरोकारवालाहरूका अपेक्षाहरू नै सम्पूर्ण रूपमा सम्बोधन गर्न सकेका छौँ। यद्यपि, हाम्रो इमानदार प्रयासमा कहिल्यै सम्झौता गरेका छैनौँ। अपेक्षित उपलब्धिहरूप्रति पूर्ण सन्तुष्टि नभए तापनि, संस्थागत रूपमा भएका सामूहिक प्रयास र संघर्षलाई खुलेर प्रशंसा गर्दै हामी गर्व महसुस गर्दछौँ।”

“संस्थाले अंगिकार गरेको सामूहिक र Horizontal नेतृत्व अभ्यासका कारण यस यात्राक्रममा फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालले नेतृत्व संकट बेहोर्नुपरेन। यस प्रक्रियाले युवावर्गलाई समेत नेतृत्वका लागि तयार पार्दै निरन्तर नेतृत्व विकास सम्भव बनाएको छ।”

“वर्तमान सन्दर्भमा प्रतिनिधित्व र जवाफदेहिताको संकटले नीति निर्माताहरू र नागरिकहरूबीच व्यापक अविश्वास र निराशा सिर्जना गरेको छ। यस्तो अवस्थामा नीति बहसमा आलोचनात्मक अनुसन्धान तथा बहु–सरोकारवाला प्रक्रियाको भूमिका झन् महत्वपूर्ण बन्दै गएको छ। परम्परागत नीति निर्माण प्रक्रियालाई विज्ञानसम्मत, प्रमाणमा आधारित र जनस्तरसँग जोड्ने विधिको विकासका लागि हाम्रा अनुसन्धान तथा सञ्चार रणनीतिहरूलाई अझ विश्वसनीय र सुदृढ बनाउनु आवश्यक छ। यस अवधिमा हामीले सिकेका छौँ कि फरक रणनीतिहरू फरक सन्दर्भ र फरक नीति एजेन्डाका लागि उपयोगी हुन्छन्। यद्यपि केही रणनीतिहरू विशिष्ट सन्दर्भमा अरूभन्दा बढी प्राथमिकतामा पर्न सक्छन्, हामी कुनै पनि रणनीतिलाई पूर्ण रूपमा अस्वीकार गर्न सक्दैनौँ। जुनसुकै रणनीति अपनाइए पनि, बलियो अनुसन्धान पद्धतिमार्फत नयाँ प्रमाणहरू सिर्जना गर्नु र संस्थागत विश्वसनीयता कायम राख्नु फरेष्टएक्सन नेपालको प्रमुख प्रतिबद्धता रहँदै आएको छ।”

यहाँहरु सबैप्रति हार्दिक आभार।

National Workshop on community-based forest enterprise: towards strategic shifts for achieving forestry for prosperity

Community forestry is one of Nepal’s most celebrated development achievements, yet its economic potential remains largely untapped. To reflect on how Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) can move beyond protection-oriented management toward viable enterprise development, ForestAction Nepal organised a 24-hour residential sharing and reflection workshop bringing together community representatives, government officials, private-sector actors, civil society, development partners, and researchers.

Drawing on findings from an FAO–Forest and Farm Facility (FFF)–commissioned study, discussions focused on three key institutional challenges: weak entrepreneurial capacity within CFUGs, limited economies of scale, and inadequate community–private sector partnerships. Participants examined policy and institutional reforms needed to transform CFUGs into dynamic enterprise actors, strengthen collaboration and aggregation mechanisms, and foster equitable partnerships with the private sector. The workshop concluded with strong commitments from government and stakeholders to advance strategic actions for strengthening Community Forest Enterprises (CFEs) and enhancing their contribution to Nepal’s green economic transformation.

Agroecology on Stage: Drama, Song, and Dialogue at Chitwan Kachahari

Better Chitwan organised the third series of “The Chitwan Kachahari – Festival of Ideas” from December 11–13, 2025, at Narayani Kala Mandir, Chitwan. ForestAction Nepal, serving as the Secretariat of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, was one of the co-organisers and hosted a session titled “Agroecological Farming: Not an Alternative, but the Mainstream.” The session featured a drama performance, a thematic song, and a panel discussion.

The session began with a drama titled “Astitwa” (Existence) presented by students of Lamjung Agriculture Campus. With the Earth positioned as the central character, the play unfolded through imagined dialogues between humans and different planets, vividly portraying the environmental crisis confronting our planet. The performance highlighted the suffering of the Earth, the struggles and constraints faced by farmers, and the imbalances in our food system, ultimately delivering a powerful call to protect nature and restore harmony between humanity and the Earth.

The drama was followed by a song titled “Kohi Murkha Kina Yaha Kheti Garos” (“Why Would a Fool Farm Here?”), which not only presented a satirical portrayal of the current agricultural scenario and society perspective but also raised critical questions about the challenges of farming and the importance of agriculture.

      

Following the performances, a panel discussion on “Agroecological Farming: Not an Alternative, but the Mainstream” was conducted. The panel included natural farming practitioners and activists Chhabilal Neupane and Rashmi Pandit, and was moderated by agriculture student Pari Bikram.

Speaking on the panel, Rashmi Pandit emphasised that natural farming is a sustainable, soil and environment centred agricultural enterprise and should be advanced as a mainstream practice rather than an alternative. Similarly, Chhabilal Neupane noted that reliance on chemical pesticides and imported fertilisers makes agriculture costly over time, while natural farming reduces production costs and conserves soil health through the use of on-farm compost, beneficial microorganisms, and natural pesticides.

Activist Sujata Tamang emphasised that future farmers are today’s youth and highlighted the need for early education that connects children with soil and farming, from the audience. Additionally, Uddhav Adhikari, Coordinator of the Alliance of Agriculture for Food, warned that chemical fertiliser and pesticides based conventional farming and unsustainable consumption threaten human civilisation and urged greater commitment to protecting soil, nature, and life through poetry.

Alongside the discussion sessions, various exhibition stalls were set up at the venue, showcasing informative posters and artwork related to food systems, alternative agriculture, and soil conservation, enriching the overall learning experience of the event.

     

First National Conference on invasive alien species in Nepal

Forest Research and Training Center (FRTC) collaborated with ForestAction Nepal to organised the first National Conference on Invasive Alien Species in Nepal on 12 th -13 th December 2025 in Kathmandu. This was the first of its kind and high-profile event organised on invasive species in Nepal. The conference brought together various stakeholders working on policy, management and research on invasive species in Nepal.

Dr. Lila Nath Sharma who is undertaking invasive species management and restoration projects in ForestAction Nepal presented an invited paper on ‘Current efforts to control invasive species outside protected areas in Nepal’. He shared ForestAction Nepal’s activities on invasive species management. Similarly, Dr Naya Sharma Paudel moderated a session on policy practice linkage on invasive species management in Nepal. The conference was important and successful in
sensitising stakeholders on urgency of invasive species management.

 

Data collection for agroforestry guideline (Focus group discussion, Key Informant Interview, and Household Survey)

As part of the Building Agroforestry-based Adaptation Plans for Resilient Floodplains (BAGAR) Project, ForestAction Nepal conducted a field study in Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli District, from 12–19 October 2025 to support the development of a municipality-level Agroforestry Guideline. The field engagement involved Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews across all wards, bringing together farmers, agroforestry practitioners, municipal representatives, and ward-level stakeholders. These interactions focused on understanding local livelihood systems, agroforestry practices, climate-related challenges, and institutional perspectives to inform locally appropriate planning.

Following the qualitative consultations, a household survey was carried out from 1–8 December 2025 across the municipality using representative sampling to triangulate information and strengthen the evidence base. Structured questionnaires captured data on land use, landholding patterns, crop–tree combinations, income sources, agroforestry management practices, and challenges. The combined insights from field discussions and household surveys are being used to inform the preparation of a context-specific, inclusive, and climate-resilient agroforestry guideline that reflects local conditions and priorities in Marin Rural Municipality.

 

Youth Engage in “Mato Bahas” to Celebrate World Soil Day 2025

World Soil Day 2025 was celebrated globally on December 5 under the theme “Healthy Soil for Healthy Cities.” To mark the occasion, ForestAction Nepal, serving as the secretariat for the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), organized a special youth-focused event titled “Mato Bahas” (Dialogue on Soil) in Kathmandu. The program brought together around 30 students from diverse academic backgrounds, including Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Education, Environment, and Climate Studies, along with soil expert Dr. Bhava Prasad Tripathi and members of AAF.

The event began with an engaging participatory activity called “Vote for Soil.” Two soil samples, one from a forest (Soil Sample A) and another from a heavily cultivated field (Soil Sample B), were placed in separate boxes. In the first round, participants were asked to choose the “better” soil based solely on touch, without seeing the samples. During the discussion that followed, many shared that they had preferred Soil Sample A because it felt finer, moister, and richer in organic matter, with noticeable leaf particles.

In the second round, participants were allowed to see and smell the samples, and Soil Sample A once again received the highest votes. Its natural earthy aroma stood in sharp contrast to Soil Sample B, which lacked any distinct smell. This collective observation led to a key conclusion: forest soil is more vibrant and biologically active, whereas the cultivated field soil, exposed to heavy use of chemical fertilizers, has become comparatively depleted.

Following the activities and discussion, education specialist Tika Bhattarai emphasized the need to integrate soil awareness into education, reminding participants that soil is a living entity that must be protected. Soil expert Dr. Bhava Prasad Tripathi highlighted the urgency of reducing chemical inputs and promoting practices that enhance soil organic matter and vitality. Similarly, agriculture expert and activist Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel stressed that soil forms the foundation of human life and that safeguarding it is a shared responsibility.

The program concluded with remarks from AAF activist Sujata Tamang, who highlighted the critical role of youth in restoring and preserving soil health. She encouraged participants to contribute meaningfully from their respective fields and capacities to ensure healthier soil and healthier cities, in the years ahead.

Multistakeholder workshop on coordination mechanism for forest fire

ForestAction Nepal is excited to begin a series of multistakeholder consultations to strengthen local-level forest fire management. The first rounds of discussions in Shailung and Chautara brought together an inspiring range of actors—local governments, Division Forest Offices, security agencies, FECOFUN, community forest user groups, and local leaders who are all
committed to protecting our forests and communities.

These consultations mark an important step toward building a coordinated, inclusive, and informed approach to forest fire prevention, preparedness, and response. By bringing diverse voices to the same table, we aim to co-create practical solutions rooted in local realities and collective action.

ForestAction Nepal, in partnership with the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) and Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Australian Embassy, Nepal, are working in two Palikas to support the collaborative, community-centered action on forest fire prevention and response.
Together, we can strengthen resilience, protect our forests, and ensure safer communities.

Fore more details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEfuHSiF9rU

 

Strengthening forest based enterprise through policy lab

ForestAction Nepal organised a Policy Lab held on 30 Nov 2025 in Bhalubang, Dang, bringing together participants from the stakeholders’ field visit, the Provincial Ministry of Forests and Environment, Lumbini Province, the Provincial Forest Directorate, Lumbini Province, Divisional Forest Officers of Dang, Gautam Buddha, Deukhuri and Pyuthan, forest-based entrepreneurs, and representatives of FECOFUN at the provincial level. The Policy Lab provided a structured space for grounded dialogue on the practical challenges faced by forest-based enterprises and the policy and institutional conditions shaping their growth. Building on field-level observations and practitioner experiences, participants examined regulatory bottlenecks, enterprise establishment processes, and opportunities for improving coordination between communities, government agencies, and the private sector. The discussions emphasised the value of learning from practice to inform adaptive policies that can better support enterprise development and sustainable forest management in the province.

Exploring Nepal’s timber economy through field visit and Ban Chautari

With an aim to deepen the understanding of challenges and opportunities pertinent to the evolving timber economy in Nepal, ForestAction Nepal organised a field visit in November for relevant stakeholders in the forestry sector. A range of forest-based enterprises in Makwanpur, Chitwan, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi were visited.

The visit concluded with a Ban Chautari event, which brought together representatives from the Province Ministry (Bagamati) of Forests and Environment, Province Forest Directorate, research institutions, universities (TU & AFU), forestry networks including Province FECOFUN and FENFIT, civil society organisations, and Division Forest Officers from Makwanpur, Sindhuli, Marin, Rapti, and Chitwan.The dialogue focused on understanding the potential vs. actual production of Nepal’s forest resources and identifying pathways to bridge the gap for a more sustainable and productive timber economy.

 

Assessment of Climate Finance Opportunities for Women-Led Enterprises in Nawalpur

In the present changing context, climate finance has emerged as a crucial aspect to support mitigation and adaptation actions to address climate change. Noting this, ForestAction Nepal is currently implementing Climate Action Financing through Women and Social Enterprise (CAFIN) project, an International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded initiative through Climate Policy Initiative (CPI). As a part of this project, the team visited women led enterprises of Gaidakot and Devachuli Rural Municipalities of Nawalpur district from 12th November till 15th November.

 

The team had visited these enterprises three years after their establishment to observe their sustainability and explore challenges and opportunities in terms of integrating climate financing to support their present and future interventions. Altogether eight enterprises of Duna Tapari, Thakal, Bamboo, Triphala, etc were visited; four in Gaidakot and four in Devachuli Rural Municipalities. Focused group discussions and interviews were conducted with women entrepreneurs to gain insights of their productivity, motivation, finance along with issues and future pathways for the enterprises. Similarly, meetings were held with the local government stakeholders (mayors, ward chairpersons) of the municipalities to discuss broader market environment, existing constraints, and potential strategies to expand the reach and visibility of enterprise products to wider audiences. FAN team also facilitated discussion with financial institutions (banks, cooperatives) to explore their knowledge in regards to climate change and financing, and to examine their policies and potential roles in supporting and sustaining women-led enterprises.