Our Team - Page 2 of 7 - ForestAction Nepal

Krishna Prasad Paudel, PhD

Krishna Prasad Paudel holds a Ph.D degree from Reading University, UK. He has a vast working experience of more than 25 years in community development including community based natural resource management – focused work on field studies, assessment of policy research and development projects. Currently, he is engaged in sustainable agriculture and food security, studying local food system, livelihoods and its political economy/ecology, networking with practitioners, organic intellectuals and policy makers in promoting sustainable agriculture in Nepal.

Mr. Paudel also has a strong background in the study design, analysis, presentation and advocacy of the policy research in natural resources specifically on community forestry, sustainable agriculture and food security and has gained extensive experiences in the participatory learning and action approach to development. He has authored/co-authored a number of research papers, study reports. Moreover, he is engaged with ACIAR funded project called ‘Enhancing Food Security and Livelihood from Agro-forestry and Community Forestry’ EnLiFT (FST-2011-076) in a capacity of Action research coordinator.

PUBLICATIONS:

Books and Book Chapters

Paudel, K.P., Kathayat, D and Tamang, S. 2014, ‘Agriculture of Karnali region and its future’, In Ghimire et al., 2014, Karnali, Community Development Organization, Kathmandu (book chapter) (in press).

Dhital, M., Dahal D., Tamang S. and Paudel K.P. 2012. Basic technology of sustainable agriculture, resource book, ForestAction Nepal.

Paudel, K.P. and Ojha, H.R. 2007 Contested Knowledge and Reconciliation in Nepal’s Community Forestry: A Case of Forest Inventory Policy in Ojha H. R., Timsina .N. P, Chhetri R. B., and Paudel K. P. (eds.) Knowledge Systems and Natural resources Management, Policy, and Institutions in Nepal, Foundation Books/IDRC.

Journal Articles/Thesis

Tamang, S., Paudel, K.P. and Shrestha, K. K. 2014, ‘Agricultural (in) justices: Feminization of agriculture works and its impact on food security in Nepal’, Journal of Forest and Livelihood, (in press).

Paudel, K.P., Tamang, S. and Shrestha, K. K. 2014, ‘Transforming land and livelihoods: Analysis of agriculture land abandonment in the mid hills of Nepal’, Journal of Forest and Livelihood, (in press).

Paudel, K.P. 2009. Knowledge, Power and Practice in Community Forestry: A Case of Nepal’s Terai – PhD Thesis, IRDD, The Reading University, UK.

Paudel, K.P., Ojha, H.R, Barnes, R. and Green K. 2007. Challenges to participation: Practical lessons from Participatory Action Research with forest user groups in Nepal, Journal of forest and livelihoods, vol.6, no.1, pp. 70-78.

Paudel, K.P. and Kattel, B. 2006. Caught in the crossfire: Forest dependent poor people in Nepal, Journal of forest and livelihoods, vol.5, no.1,pp. 14-21.

Hemant, H.O, Pokharel, B., McDougall, C., and Paudel, K.P. 2003. Learning to govern: How to improve monitoring system in community forestry in Nepal, vol.2, no.2, pp. 23-34.

Paudel, K.P., 2002. Ensuring Peoples’ rights in forest resources: Revisiting the role of civil society, Journal of forest and livelihoods, vol. 1, no.1, pp.37-39. Paudel, K.P. 1999. ‘People and Park Relationship: Facing the Challenges of Conflict’ MSc Thesis, AERDD, The Reading University, UK.

Conference /Discussion Papers

Paudel, K.P., 2004. Role of Community Forestry towards rebuilding Agriculture Forestry interface: Some Challenges and opportunities in community forestry national workshop, 16-18 June, 2014, Jawalakhel, Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., Tamang, S., Shrestha, K. K. and Shah, R. 2014, Transforming land and livelihoods: Analysis of agriculture land abandonment in the mid hills of Nepal in World Congress on Agroforesrty, 10-14, February 2014, New Delhi, India.

Tamang, S. and Paudel, K.P. 2013, Feminization of agriculture works: Policy issues, Policy Brief, ForestAction Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., Bhattarai, T. and Tamang, S. 2013, Agriculture Development Strategy: current situation and civil society’s perspective, Discussion paper, ForestAction Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., Dahal, D., Thapa, S. and Tamang, S. 2012. Agroforestry, land abandonment in middle hills of Nepal: an opportunity to reinvigorate agroforestry to improve food security, In the Proceeding of Third International Conference on Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Study/Research reports

Paudel, K.P., Bhattarai, P. and Tamang, S. 2011. Review of policies and programme of food security and agriculture in Nepal, WOREC, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., Dhital, M. and Tamang, S. 2010, Food Security in Karnali: Scoping the Food System, Agriculture and Local Livelihoods, study report, Forest Action and Care Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., and Adhikari J. 2010. Study report on local food system, livelihoods and its political economy. ForestAction and ActionAid Nepal.

Paudel, K.P., Adhikari, D. and Paudel, S. 2008. Reframing livelihoods strategies: Musahar/Bote’s changing livelihoods contexts and their responses to diverse development interventions. Study Report submitted to Action Aid Nepal, Kathmandu.

Timsina, N.P., Ojha, H.R. and Paudel, K.P. 2004. Deliberative Governance and Public Sphere: A Reflection on Nepal’s Community Forestry 1998-2004. In: K.R. Kanel, P. Mathema, B.R. Kandel, D.R. Niraula, A.R. Sharma and M. Gautam (Eds.),Proceedings of the Fourth National Workshop on Community Forestry. Kathmandu: Department of Forest. [pp. 548558].

McDougall, C., Pandit, B. H., Banjade, M. R., Paudel, K.P., Ojha, H., Maharjan, M., Rana, S., Bhattarai,T. and Dangol, S. 2009. Facilitating forests of learning: enabling an adaptive collaborative approach in community forest user groups, a guidebook. Bogor: CIFOR.

Paudel, K.P., Neupane, H; Barnes, R and Ojha, H. 2003. Assessing the current status of Participatory Action Research on developing planning and monitoring process of common property forest management in Nepal. ForestAction, Nepal and NRSP/DFID, UK.

Paudel, K.P., Luintel, H., Bhattarai, B. and Ojha, H. 2003. H. A Survey of the Priority Problems of the Forest and Tree-Dependent Poor People in Nepal. ForestAction, Nepal and DFID Research Programme/ UK.

Dhital, N., Paudel, K.P. and Ojha, H., 2002. Inventory of community forests in Nepal: problems and opportunities. Kathmandu: ForestAction and LFP.

Malla, Y M, Lawrence, A, Barnes R, Paudel, K.P., Ojha H and Green K. 2001. Common property forest management in Nepal: Developing monitoring systems for use at the local level, a research report, IRDD, The University of Reading /ForestAction/ECI, Oxford University, Reading UK.

Paudel, K.P. and (Paudyal) Rai, B. 2002. Basic Gender Training. ForestAction, Nepal.

Paudel K.P. and Bhattarai, T. 2000. ‘NGO case study report’ Tehrathum and Baitadi district submitted to ngocbo Participatory Learning and Advisory project, Nepal.

Laxmi Chhinal

Madan Bashyal

Dipesh Nepal

Mr. Dipesh Nepal is a young accomplished researcher with intensive knowledge and expertise in agriculture. After completing his Bachelor’s in agriculture, Mr. Nepal further expands his academic knowledge by pursuing a master’s degree in Agriculture Extension. His research portfolio falls majorly in important issues such as natural resource management and regenerative agriculture. Aside from his research, he also presents extensive skills in workshop organization, collaborations, and assisting farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices. Through his work and knowledge, Mr. Nepal is committed to enhancing agriculture resilience through agroecology principles and implications.

Book and Book Chapter

Poudel, S., Panta, P., Nepal, D. 2023. Evaluation of Yield Performance of Finger millet Varieties on Different Planting Methods in Sundarbazar, Lamjung. In Joshi et.al. (Eds.). Millets Traditions, Science and Technology in Nepal (pp 218-225). NAGRC, CCDAB and FAO; Kathmandu, Nepal. https://lib.icimod.org/record/36443/files/Millet%E2%80%99s%20traditions,%20science%20and%20technology%20in%20Nepal.pdf

Poudel, S., Nepal, D. 2023. Food and Agriculture in Nepal: Factsheet 2023 (Nepali version), Alliance of Agriculture for Food, Kathmandu, Nepal. https://forestaction.org/publications/fact-sheet-of-food-and- agriculture-2023/

Poudel, S., Nepal, D., and Khatiwada, S. 2022. Food and Agriculture in Nepal: Factsheet 2022 (Nepali version), Alliance of Agriculture for Food, Kathmandu, Nepal. https://forestaction.org/wp- content/uploads/2022/12/Fact-sheet-of-Food-and-Agriculture.pdf

Nepal, D., Poudel, S., and Thapa, S. 2021. Food and Agriculture in Nepal: Factsheet 2021 (Nepali version), Alliance of Agriculture for Food, Kathmandu, Nepal. https://forestaction.org/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/Fact-sheet-of-Food-and-Agriculture-2021.pdf

Nepal, D., Poudel, S., Duwal, R., Ghimire, A., 2021. M.Sc. Ag Aspirants. Jaya Laliguras Publication. Kathmandu.

Nepal, D., Sigdel, U., Neupane, B. and Chand, I. 2020. Agriculture Aspirants Question Bank: A complete Book for Entrance Preparation of Applied Science B.Sc. Ag, Vet, Fisheries and Forestry. Jaya Laliguras Publication. Kathmandu.

Nepal, D., Sigdel, U. and Neupane, B. 2019. Agriculture Aspirants: A Complete Solution for Entrance Preparation of B.Sc. Ag, Vet, Fisheries and Forestry. Jaya Laliguras Publication. Kathmandu.

Poudel, K., Nepal, D., Sigdel, U. and Neupane, B.2019. Aspire Mini: An Entrance Preparation Capsule. Jaya Laligurans Publication. Kathmandu.

Journal and Journal Articles

Poudel, S. and Nepal, D.. 2023. Does price discrimination affects social welfare, business and economic review. https://doi.org/10.26794/2308-944X-2023-11-3-39-48

Khatiwada,S., Thapa, S and Nepal, D. 2022. Hamro Ban Sampada (Special issue on Agroecological Farming), Nepali Journal, ForestAction Nepal, Kathmandu (Editor). https://forestaction.org/publications/2079-special-issue-agroecology-agriculture/

Nepal, D. and Poudel, S.2022. Status of agroforestry and its promotion (Nepali version). Hamro Ban Sampada (Special issue on Agroecological Farming).18(1).ForestAction Nepal. https://forestaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HBS_18_1_8_Nepal-and-paudel.pdf

Report and Meeting Note

Poudel, K.P., Tamang, S., Thapa, S., Nepal, D., Dewan, S. 2022. Study Report on Policy, Government Program & Budget for Agroecology Promotion in Nepal. Actionaid Nepal. Kathmandu.

Nepal, D. and Poudel, S. 2021. The World Food Day 2021: Proceeding of the Food Week Deliberations Commemorating. ForestAction Nepal. https://forestaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WFD- 2021-Report_english.pdf

Jaishi, M., Nepal, D. and Acharya, A.2021. AFÉ CONVERSATION ‘Contemporary Extension Reform Strategy in Nepal’ Research Development – Training and Extension Center (RD-TEC), Lamjung, Nepal. Meeting note. https://www.aesanetwork.org/cafe-conversation-contemporary-extension-reform-strategy-in-nepal-research-development-training-and-extension-center-rd-tec-lamjung-nepal-26-june-2021/

Mani Ram Banjade, PhD

Dipika Badal

Dipika Badal is a skilled forestry professional and researcher, with a specialization in forestry, remote sensing, and GIS technologies. She earned her M.Sc. in Forestry from the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Auburn University. Her expertise lies at the intersection of GIS and Remote Sensing, spatial modelling, and forest ecology, with a strong focus on natural resource management. Beyond academics, she has directed a nonprofit organization and led different national-scale projects, showcasing her leadership in governance, strategic planning, and project development. Her diverse experience, from advanced geospatial analysis to leadership in nonprofit management, positions her as an emerging expert in forestry research and natural resource management, particularly in applying cutting-edge technologies to solve environmental challenges. Ms Badal is currently working as a Researcher at ForestAction Nepal with engagement in various research related to forestry.

Manish Shrestha

Mr Manish Shrestha is a forestry researcher and professional working on community-based forest management, forest fires, forest carbon, REDD+, and climate resilience in Nepal. With Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Forestry and field experience across community forestry programs, he works at the intersection of ecological research, participatory forest governance, and policy. He uses mixed-methods approaches that combine GIS and modelling tools with community knowledge, and shares findings through publications, policy briefs, and regional platforms linking science, policy, and practice.

Publications

Shrestha, M., K.C, D., Karki, R., and Bashyal, M. (2026). From voluntarism to incentivised forest fire management in Nepal: Evidence on labour costs and risk perceptions from four CFUGs. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 89-107.

Hill, A. and Shrestha, M. (2026). Institutional fragmentation and forest fire management in federal Nepal: Bridging the governance gap through incident management systems. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 129-141.

Shrestha, M., Baral, S., Shrestha, U.B., and Kunwar, R.M. (2025). Ensemble modelling to assess the dynamics of invasive plant species under changing climate in Bagmati Province, Nepal. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 26(6).

Shrestha, M., Bohara, M., Sharma, N.S., Karki, R., and Karna, B. (2025). Strengthening Forest Fire Management in Nepal. Policy Brief No. 52. ForestAction Nepal.

Adhikari, J., Shrestha, M., and Gautam, A. (2025). Understanding local perception on NTFP availability in the Himalayan landscape of Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 25(1), 78-92.

Gautam, S., Timilsina, S., Shrestha, M., Adhikari, B., Khatri, B.B.A., and Timsina, J. (2023). Do Managed Hill Sal (Shorea robusta) Community Forests of Nepal Sequester and Conserve More Carbon than Unmanaged Ones? Environment and Natural Resources Journal, 21(3), 222-231.

Gautam, S., Timilsina, S., and Shrestha, M. (2021). The effects of forest management activities on genetic diversity of forest trees. Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues (IJSEI), 2(2), 110-118.

Netra Prasad Timsina, PhD

Manita Chaudhary

Manita Khanal

She is a dedicated forestry professional from Lumbini, Nepal, with a Master’s degree in forestry from the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus. She has significant research experience, including research on treeline dynamics at Dolpa, contribution to studies of gymnosperm diversity and the distribution pattern of threatened plant species. Her professional experience includes Cluster Project Coordinator at Tenure Facility, Green Foundational Nepal, where she worked on establishing forest rights for IPLCs; Disaster Risk Reduction Fellow at Youth Innovation Lab, where she strengthened municipal capacities for disaster risk management and Communication and Documentation officer at EOC Nepal. This academic and professional experience has equipped her with knowledge of research tools, reporting and communication, advocacy, planning, coordination and execution. Currently she is contributing to the Project “Promoting Ecologically Sound and Socially Just Forest Landscape Restoration Through Co-Production of Knowledge and Local Capacity Building” supported by REDAA with a Particular focus on Landscape Ecology. Manita is passionate about being ecologically sound and contributing to sustainable forest management and conservation benefiting the environment and local community.

Peer-reviewed Publications

Li, J., Pandey, B., Dakhil, M. A., Khanal, M. & Pan. K. (2022). Precipitation and potential evapotranspiration determine the distribution patterns of threatened plant species in Sichuan Province, China.

Pandey, B., Pan, K., Dakhil, M. A., Liao, Z., Timilsina, A., Khanal, M. & Zhang, L. (2021) Contrasting Gymnosperm Diversity Across an Elevation Gradient in the Ecoregion of China: The Role of Temperature and Productivity

Harisharan Luintel, PhD

Harisharan Luintel has PhD from the School of Environment, Portland State University, USA. He has over 15 years of experience in research, policy and institutional analyses, project review and assessment, teaching, and capacity building in the field of environmental sustainability and justice, community-based forestry, climate change and REDD+ and poverty reduction. While taking critical analytical perspective, he uses both quantitative and qualitative methods in his researches.

Mr. Luintel’s research interest includes understanding dynamic relations of human actions and nature in general and ecological and socio-economic implications of international/national environmental policies and plans in the local ecosystems and communities in particular. He is currently engaged in a research on REDD+ and community forestry.

PUBLICATIONS:

Being Edited

Luintel, H. 2007-2015. Editor: Journal of Forest and Livelihood, Vol 13(1), Vol 11(2), Vol 10(1), Vol. 8 (2), Vol. 7(1) and Vol. 6 (2). Special Issue on different themes such as REDD+, Forest Policy Process, Forest Tenure Livelihoods and Forestry Programme’s Experience, Nepal’s Community-based Forestry Programmes.

Reviewed Articles

Bluffstone, R., Somanathan, E., Jha, P., Luintel, H., Bista, R., Toman, M., Paudel, N. and Adhikari, B. 2015. Collective Action and Carbon Sequestration in Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 13(1). Pp 1-7.

Dissanayake, S.T M, Jha, P., Adhikari, B., Bista, R., Bluffstone, R., Luintel, H., Martinsson, P., Paudel, N., Somanathan, E. and Toman, M. 2015. Community Managed Forest Groups and Preferences for REDD+ Contract Attributes: A Choice Experiment Survey of Communities in Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 13(1): 8-19.

Luintel, H., Silori, C.S., Frick, S. and Poudyal, B.H. 2013. Grassroots Capacity Building for REDD+: Lessons from Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 11(2). Pp 1-13.

Poudyal, B.H., Paudel, G. and Luintel, H. 2013. Enhancing REDD+ Outcomes through Improved Governance of Community Forestry User Groups. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 11(2). Pp 14-26.

Silori, C.S., Frick, S., Luintel, H. and Poudyal, B.H. 2013. Social Safeguards in REDD+: A Review of Existing Initiatives and Challenges. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 11(2). Pp 27-36.

Patel, T., Dhiaulhaq, A., Gritten, D., Yasmi, Y., Bruyn, T. D., Paudel, N. S., Luintel, H., Khatri, D. B., Silori, C. and Suzuki, R. 2013. Predicting Future Conflict under REDD+ Implementation. Forests, 4, 343-363; doi:10.3390/f4020343

Luintel, H. and Lawrence, A. 2009. Sustainable Harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products: A Methodological Innovation through Participatory Experiment in Nepal. The Nepal Journal of Forestry, 13(1). Pp: 22-33.

Luintel, H. and Chhetri, R.B. 2008. Understanding Tenure Security in Community Forestry. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 7(1). Pp: 1-5.

Luintel, H. and Bhattarai, B. 2006. Exploring Priority Problems of the Forest Dependant Poor in Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood Vol 5 (1). Pp: 1-13.

Book Chapters (Being Edited)

Constance, L., McDermott, H. van Asselt, Streck, C. and Mvondo, S. A., Duchelle, A.E., Constanze, H., Humphreys, D., Mulyani, M., Silori, C.S., Suzuki, R., Fariborz, Z., Simone F., Lentini, M. Luintel, H. and Salimon, C. 2012. Governance for REDD+, forest management and biodiversity: Existing approaches and future options In John A. Parrotta, Christoph Wildburger, Stephanie Mansourian (Eds), Understanding Relationships between Biodiversity, Carbon, Forests and People: The Key to Achieving REDD+ Objectives (A Global Assessment Report in Prepared by the Global Forest Expert Panel on Biodiversity, Forest Management and REDD+). Pp 115- 138. IUFRO World Series Vol 31. IUFRO.

Luintel, H. 2006. Do Civil Society Organizations Promote Equity in Community Forestry? A reflection from Nepal’s experiences. In S. Mahanth, J., Fox, M. Nurse and L. Mclees (Eds), Hanging on the Balance: Equity in Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Asia, Pp 122-142. East-West Centre and RECOFTC, Bangkok.

Banjade, M. R.; Luintel, H. and Neupane, H. R. 2004. Action Research Experience on Democratizing Knowledge in Community Forestry in Nepal. In H. Ojha, N. Timsina, R. Chhetri and K Paudel (Eds), Knowledge Systems and Natural Resources: Management, Policy and Institutions in Nepal, Pp 110-134. Cambridge University Press India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.

Research and Study Reports

Sharma, N., Luintel, H., Khatri, D.B., Karanjit, S. and Bhandari, K. 2012. Conflict and REDD+. RECOFTC and ForestAction Nepal.

Sharma, N. S., Luintel, H., Khatri, D.B. and Bhandari, K. 2012. Enabling forest users to exercise their rights: Rethinking regulatory barriers to communities and smallholders earning their living from timber. RECOFTC and ForestAction Nepal.

Upreti, D., Luintel, H. and Bhandari, K. 2011. Conflict in the Context of Emerging REDD+ Scheme: An Analysis of Nepal’s Community Forestry and REDD+ Pilot Project. RECOFTC and ForetAction Nepal.

Luintel, H., Ojha, H., Rana, B., Subedi, R. and Dhungana, H. 2009. Community Forestry in Nepal: Promoting Livelihoods, Community Development and the Environment. ForestAction and Livelihoods and Forestry Programme.

Timsina, N.P., Luintel, H., Kattel, S., Chapagain, A. and Ghimire, K. 2008. Review Report of Livelihood and Forestry Programme’s Mid-West Partnership Programme. ERI and LFP/DFID Kathmandu, Nepal.

Chhetri, R.B., Timsina, N.P., Luintel, H., Regmi, R., Bhattarai, B., and Magar, R.A. 2008. Decentralization and Promotion of Women’s Rights in Nepal: Exploring Constraints, Opportunities and Intervention Avenues. ForestAction Nepal/International Development and Research Centre.

Chhetry, R.B., Luintel, H. and Regmi, R. 2006. Pre Mid-Term Review of Animation and Social Mobilisation Programme implemented by Livelihood and Forestry Programme. ERI and DFID Nepal.

Meena Bohara, PhD

Meena received her PhD in Ecology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, in 2020, as a recipient of the CAS-TWAS President’s Fellowship. Her doctoral research explored plant and soil nutrient dynamics through litter decomposition. She has authored several research articles and policy briefs and is currently a Coordinating Lead Author for the Solution Pathways chapter of the Global Environment Outlook-7, representing the Asia-Pacific region. With over four years of experience, she has led projects on environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation, focusing on ecosystem-based and nature-based solutions. Her research interests encompass interdisciplinary approaches to forest ecology and nature conservation.

Publications:

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