Forestry and the environment : Nepal case study

assistance for forestry development in Nepal has focused on developing the capability of the Nepalese government to implement its community forestry program to provide local groups with user rights to state-owned forests, along with accompanying TA from the forest service and NGOs. The impact, effectiveness, sustainability, and replicability of those efforts are reviewed in this report. The staff of Nepal's Department of Forests has improved its capacity to extend community forestry; user groups have improved their ability to prepare and implement forestry operational plans and increased their collective savings and local development investments; and community-managed forests and those under formal protection have experienced a measurable increase in tree growth and regeneration, ground cover, and soil moisture retention, a reduction in soil erosion, and improvement in wildlife habitats. In addition, particularly through NGO projects, the participation of women and disadvantaged groups in decision-making about natural resource management has improved. Overall, empowering of community user groups has been effective in promoting sustainable natural resource use in Nepal. What is more, the community forestry model is rapidly spreading throughout project areas. The following lessons were learned. (1) Once policy is set, the most efficient method for extending community forestry practices is through the use of NGOs. (2) Forestry projects can provide a vehicle for A.I.D. to influence policy in a cost-effective manner. (3) Targeting women for training and extension can improve the effectiveness and sustainability of community-based resource management.