Over 40% of Nepal’s population, with high percentage of poor, women, Dalit castes and other marginalised groups, reply on forest products and associated ecosystem services for their daily sustenance and income. However, with the increasing climate change effects and impacts, it has exacerbated challenges for the forest dependent communities. Such issues coupled with policy gaps in forest management have led to the underutilisaton and degradation of forest resources, limiting their potential to support rural livelihoods and economic development.
Noting the urgency for a structured approach to strengthen policy engagement and to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue, CLARE R4I has collaborated with ForestAction Nepal for technical assistance to develop evidence-based policy briefs and enhance communication strategies that advocate for sustainable forest management and green enterprises development in Nepal.