Forest Action, Nepal

Exploring Priority Problems of the Forest Dependent Poor in Nepal
-Harisharan Luintel and Basundhara Bhattarai
(Page : 1-13)

Abstract: This paper deals with the priority problems and their underlying causes of the forest and tree dependent poor – resource-poor farmers, landless, small artisan and urban/peri-urban poor – in Nepal, from their own and support agencies' perspectives. The paper is based on a survey conducted in seven districts of Nepal wherein 79 poor people and 65 staff members of support institutions were interviewed. The authors have identified the priority of the identified problems according to the frequency of their reference by the poor. These issues are discussed in seven categories, ranging from daily food insecurity to entrepreneurship development. The results demonstrate that the forest-dependent poor have diverse and complex livelihood related problems, which are frequently, but may not directly and exclusively, linked to forestry, per se. As such there is a need for a more continuous holistic and political approach encompassing not only economic but also cultural and social aspects for poverty reduction, in contrast with the existing technical, sectoral and linear approaches.
Key words: forest and tree-dependent poor, priority problems, policy, Nepal

Caught in the Crossfire: Forest-Dependent Poor People in Nepal
-Krishna Prasad Paudel and Balkrishna Kattel
(Page : 14-21)

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of armed conflict on the lives of the forest-dependent poor in Nepal. Based on a survey study carried out in four districts among forest-dependent poor and their service providers, the findings show that the armed conflict is severely affecting the lives and living conditions of the poor. The lack of food, drinking water, education, health care and employment opportunities has made them more vulnerable. The conflict has contributed on the disruption of social security, communal bonds, friendship and brotherhoods, trust and local hospitalities and it has planted frustration in these populations. Optimism of the poor is waning. However, they still want to see peace restored.
Key words: forest-dependent poor, poverty, insurgency, poor

Transforming Agency and Structure for Facilitating Pro-Poor Governance in Community Forestry
-Mani Ram Banjade, Netra Prasad Timsina, Hari Raj Neupane, Kamal Bhandari, Tara Bhattarai and Sushila Kumari Rana
(Page : 22-33)

Abstract: Nepali society is differentiated by hierarchical and discriminatory social structures struggling for transformation. This culture is also reflected in the practices of Community Forestry. Community Forestry is expected to contribute to improved livelihoods within communities through forest management, ensuring social justice through the provision of better spaces and positions to poor and disadvantaged groups. Based on the lessons of nine Community Forest User Groups of seven districts of the hill and Terai regions of Nepal, we propose a more inclusive and interactive process, known as ‘Social and Transformative Learning’ or ‘Action and Learning’, which has greater ability to transform both agency and structure to ensure deliberative and pro-poor governance.
Key words: agency and structure, pro-poor governance, transformative learning, community forestry

Experiences and Challenges of Promoting Pro-Poor and Social Inclusion Initiatives in User Group Forestry
-Bimala Rai Paudyal, Peter Neil and Gaia Allison
(Page : 34-45)

Abstract: Community Forestry has tremendous potential to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion in rural communities by improving the livelihoods of the poor and excluded, in particular the livelihoods of women, dalits and disadvantaged ethnic groups. However, there exists a large gap between the potential of the programme and its achievements in reality. Addressing this gap demands strategic interventions, including a careful analysis of barriers to inclusion and the promotion of pro-poor and socially inclusive programmes and monitoring. The paper argues that Community Forestry would better contribute to poverty reduction and social inclusion if support to user groups were focused on at least three specific (and interrelated) domains of changes. These can be identified as: increasing the access of the poor and excluded to livelihood assets; strengthening the organisation, voice and agency of the poor and excluded; and advocating for the development and enforcement of pro-poor and socially inclusive policies and institutions.
Key words: community forestry, social inclusion, livelihoods, gender, equity

The Livelihood Improvement Process: An Inclusive and Pro-Poor Approach to Community Forestry - Experiences from Kabhrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok Districts of Nepal
-Murari Joshi, Lokendra Dhakal, Gopi Paudel, Raghu Shrestha, Arun Paudel, Padam Bahadur Chand and Netra Prasad Timsina
(Page : 46-52)

Abstract: Reducing poverty through equitable and sustainable community-based natural resource management, particularly through programmes that accord attention to the issue of social inclusion, is the major objective of development projects related to natural resource management. At the local level, many innovations have been developed and are being put in place to enhance the pro-poor approaches, which specifically focus on the issues of livelihoods and inclusion. Livelihood Improvement Process (LIP) is one of the innovations arising to address this end. This paper presents the concept, process of implementation, and impacts of the LIP, as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces based on the experiences gained in Kabhrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok districts of Nepal. It concludes that the LIP can be an appropriate tool for reaching the poor, as it helps to sensitise and inform all actors about the need of pro-poor and inclusive development process.
Key words: community forestry, livelihood improvement process, social inclusion, governance

Reconstructing the Concept of Forest-Based Enterprise Development in Nepal: Towards a Pro-Poor Approach
-Bharat Pokharel, Dinesh Paudel, Peter Branney, Dil Bahadur Khatri and Mike Nurse
(Page : 53-65)

Abstract: This paper demonstrates that community forests have high potential to make a significant contribution to rural income and employment through non-timber forest products enterprises particularly to the poor. The paper highlights a practical experience of the pro-poor entrepreneurship approach, its process, steps and outcomes through examination of a recently-developed enterprise in Jiri, Dolakha district of the central hills region of Nepal. The paper concludes that there are five key aspects which need additional attention for a successful pro-poor enterprise: the scale of the enterprise; pro-poor governance of community groups; necessary skills and capacity to empower the poor producers, both socially and economically; partnership building among private, community groups and poor households; and specialized services to tap competitive markets and conducive policy environment.
Key words: community forestry, poverty reduction, enterprise, entrepreneurship, equity, income generation, employment

From Protection to Poverty Reduction: A Review of Forestry Policies and Practices in Nepal
-Ram B. Chhetri
(Page : 66-77)

Abstract: This paper examines the evolution of the policy and legislation in Nepal’s forestry sector. The analysis reveals that there is a congenial environment for participatory forestry to contribute to the goal of poverty reduction in the country. While forestry in Nepal has mostly benefited the state authorities and the elite and did not give much consideration to the needs of the poor in the past, the policy and legislation in the country from the 1970s has evolved from being restrictive for public use, alienating the local people from the resources, to being open for improved utilization, increased participation of people and stakeholders, ensuring benefits to the local users, and regarding forestry as a potential vehicle for poverty reduction. The paper concludes that participatory forestry also stands out as a good example of Nepal’s commitment towards decentralization and democratic principles.
Key words: poverty reduction, forest policy, forestry sector, participatory forestry

Reducing Poverty through Community Based Forest Management in Asia
-Sango Mahanty, Jane Gronow, Mike Nurse and Yam Malla
(Page : 78-89)

Abstract: Recent years have seen a growing interest in the role and potential of community based forest management (CBFM)1 as a vehicle for poverty reduction. Some analysts suggest that CBFM initiatives have limited potential for poverty reduction because they are prone to elite capture; focus on low value, degraded forests; emphasise forests rather than integrated NR based livelihood development; and because of the high transaction costs facing the poorest of the poor in harnessing high-value goods such as timber. This paper proposes that CBFM has the potential to help the poor cope with or even begin to move out of poverty, but this potential is as yet only partially realised. We examine the issues involved in promoting CBFM as a vehicle for poverty reduction and review selected pro-poor approaches to CBFM in the Asian region. We conclude that there are three key areas in which more work is needed by CBFM professionals in order to harness the poverty reduction potential of community forestry: governance, appropriate enterprise development and integrated approaches.
Key words: poverty reduction, pro-poor, community based forest management, livelihoods, enterprise, governance