Lumbini, Nepal - Nepal’s community forestry programme has expanded significantly over the past three decades, with substantial increases in the number of community forest user groups, forest areas handed over to communities, and households participating in forest management.
The expansion reflects the growing role of local communities in conserving, managing and sustainably using Nepal’s forest resources.
The practice of forming Community Forest User Groups began following the enactment of Nepal’s Forest Act, 2049 B.S. Over the years, community forestry has become an important approach to involving local people directly in forest conservation and management.
According to data from the Lumbini Province Forest Directorate, the province had 2,469 Community Forest User Groups in fiscal year 2062/63 B.S. By fiscal year 2080/81 B.S., the number had increased to 4,037 groups.
The number of households participating in community forestry has also grown sharply. In fiscal year 2062/63 B.S., 13,623 households were affiliated with community forests. The latest figures show that the number has risen to 678,836 households, indicating a major expansion in community participation.
The area of forest handed over to communities has increased as well. Community forests covered 331,676 hectares in fiscal year 2062/63 B.S., compared with 429,425 hectares according to the latest figures.
The Forest Directorate reports that, by the end of Ashadh 2080 B.S., a total of 4,037 Community Forest User Groups had been handed over the respective areas of national forest as community forests.
Officials say the growth of community forestry has strengthened the involvement of local communities in forest protection and management. The model places communities at the centre of forest stewardship while creating a framework for the sustainable management of forest resources.
In Palpa, the process has also included consolidation of user groups. According to Dilaram Paudel, Senior Forest Officer and Information Officer at the Forest Directorate, 10 Community Forest User Groups have merged to form four groups over the past nine years.
The continued expansion of community forestry highlights the importance of local participation in Nepal’s efforts to conserve forests, maintain healthy ecosystems and promote sustainable management of natural resources.
For Nepal, where forests play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, climate resilience and the livelihoods of rural communities, strengthening community-based forest governance remains an important part of sustainable development.
Ecosphere News
Environment • Sustainability • Development • Climate
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