Socioeconomic factors leading to deforestation in Nepal

This report, while not providing exact figures, indicates the magnitude of the problem and delineates the socioeconomic factors which underlie it. Specifically, the study examines the extent of dependency on forest reserves for fuelwood, timber, fodder, and land and the consequent deforestation in one Tarai and two hill panchayats, as well as the attitudes of farmers, local leaders, and foresters towards deforestation and afforestation activities. An analysis of the government"s forest policy shows that spending on afforestation is extremely low compared to the rate of deforestation; in 15 years of development planning only 20,000 ha of land have been afforested while more than 2 million ha of forest have disappeared. Due to the great dependency of the local people on the forest and their tendency not to recognize their role in deforestation, the report concludes that formal government programs alone will not work - only the coordinated efforts of the government and the communities will save Nepal"s forests.