On 29th May, Wednesday, ForestAction Nepal with the support of the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, and in collaboration with FECOFUN, FenFIT, and NEHHPA organized a half-day policy dialogue titled ‘Fostering an enabling environment for forest-based enterprises in Nepal: From shared understanding to devisable strategies’ at Hotel Sankar, Kathmandu. The main agenda of the dialogue was to develop a common understanding of the issues surrounding forest enterprise and develop strategies for reforming forestry ideologies to promote prosperity.
A total of 36 participants including Ms. Kavita Kasynathan, Head of Development Cooperation at the Australian Embassy in Nepal was present at the dialogue. In the first half of the dialogue, representatives from FECOFUN, FenFIT, NEHHPA, and ForestAction Nepal presented their experiences, lessons, and proposals on forest-based enterprises. Various issues related to forestry enterprise were discussed, such as timber and non-timber production, Nepal’s herb investment and production, and women’s involvement in forest restoration and enterprise. In the second half, a moderated discussion on the presentation took place. Through the discussion, various issues include the need for a proper business plan in the forestry enterprises, lack of research and development on timber production, lack of innovation and technological approaches, insufficient market access, non-tariff obligations in such sector, etc.
Mr. Badri Dhungana, the Planning Division Chief of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, further highlighted that “The country’s socio-political ecology is causing tremendous transition of forestry. There is a vital need to bridge the gap between individual benefits and national benefits from the initiation of forestry enterprise.”
The forest-based enterprise policy dialogue has become an important stepping stone to bring policymakers, local government, academia, and civil society organizations together to discuss and develop a common understanding of the problems and advocate for the better promotion and sustainable development of forest-based enterprises.
