For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
Governance in forest management has consistently been a subject of public concern, despite Nepal’s nearly five decades of experience with community-based forest management. As part of assessment of the economic potential and political economy of the forestry sector, ForestAction Nepal has identified significant variation in forest management approaches across different forest regimes and provincial context. However, management practices across countries are not similar, which may be due to ecosystem diversity and socio-economic situation and management approach. Observations are also indicated, after federalisation, sub-national governments have also adopted their own strategies in forest management and ecosystem conservation.
In this context, as a part of SNGP-II project, the team assessed the different ecological region’s Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) to reflect the forest management and governance practices in three provinces. The field work was carried out in Umakochowk CFUG, Myagde-2, Tanahun, Milijuli Paleko Ban CFUG, Tansen-13, Palpa, Shreengeghat CFUG, Bangganga-1,3,4,5, Kapilvastu, Deepad CFUG, Manahari-6, Makwanpur and Madhyabindu Collaborative FUG, Kawasoti-14, Nawalpur. These selected cases illustrated successful forest management approaches across diverse ecological, institutional, and governance contexts. Key observation was implementation of operation plans, distribution of forest products, engagement with different stakeholders, adoption of silviculture practices, satisfaction level of users, documentation practices, and inclusiveness on activities implementation.
