Effectiveness of Local Adaptation Plan of Action implemented by Multi-Stskeholders Forestry Programme: A Case Study of Parbat District

Abstract

A key challenge in climate change adaptation in developing countries as a whole, and to handling global change in particular, is to link local adaptation needs on the one hand, with national adaptation initiatives on the other, so that vulnerable households and communities can directly benefit. This study was conducted on Banau, Majhphant, Tilahar and Kurga VDC of Parbat district during the period of April to November.2016 The main objective of the study was to assess effectiveness of LAPA implementation process, activities, outcomes and challenges, by MSFP in livelihoods of poor and vulnerable communities. Interview survey, key informant interview, focus group discussion were conducted in collecting primary information. One hundred and Sixty eight households were sampled out of total 840 households (I.e., 40 to 43 VDC and 20 to 23 from each CFUG) with purposive sampling for interviews survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS computer software. The preparation and implementation of LAPA in the Parbat District for MSFP working district is based on the prescribed steps in the LAPA framework 2011. Erratic rainfall, droughts, decline of water sources and soil erosion, decline in crop productivity, incidence of crop pests, and widespread problem of invasive weed species were identified as major problems associated with climate change. Nearly 90% of respondents were found experiencing climate change signal in their localities. Assessing of climatic signal based on the perception of respondents with focusing risk, it was found that untimely rainfall was the major experience. In response to the climate change impacts, the most prioritized adaptation interventions identified have remained the conservation of water sources (springs) followed by the rehabilitation of drinking water, irrigation systems, plantation, forest management, construction of recharge pond, income generation activities and creation of awareness in the community. The local (VDC) based adaptation plans are developed at local level in an effort to enhance the capacity of communities to adapt to climate change including its variability. While asking have you got the opportunities for participation in LAPA preparation, 81% of respondents informed that they have got the opportunities for participation in LAPA preparation. Majority of respondents in LAPA preparation got the opportunities for participate and raise their voice. While asking about LAPA, 82.2% of respondents informed that they have heard about it. One of the reason for this was LAPA has been prepared in the VDCs where Community Learning Centre exists. During Focused Group discussion participants were confidently saying that they prepare their LAPA themselves. From household survey among the 47.6% of respondents pointed out effective of climate change adaption activities done by IPO or NGOs. Out of them 44% mentioned that very effective of climate change adaption activities done by IPO or NGOs. Likewise 6% said that fairly effective and2.4% pointed outdo not know or any idea but they have receive support from the programme. The implementation of LAPA has positive impact on the environmental condition as well as socio-economic. The study shows, 98 percent respondents agreed on positive impact on forest conservation. Respondents who believe on positive change of programme intervention on greenery, wildlife expansion were found to be above 85 percent. Also, more than 70 percent respondents agreed on the positive irrigation facilities and water resource conservation. The household survey shows 95.2% of respondents pointed out yes targeted to poor, women and Marginalized and poor, women and Marginalized gained benefited from the program which is equal percentage of both of them. Likewise 92.3% of respondent point out yes MSFP of IAs carried out climate change adaption activities as per local people need. So, NGO targeted to poor, women and marginalized people and received benefited mostly poor, women and Marginalized. And also MSFP of IAs carried out climate change adaption activities as per local people need. There are the various challenge found while preparing and implementation of LAPA which are gaining stakeholders interest in LAPA, ownership of LAPA document, linguistics problem, resource tapping from stakeholders, integrating LAPA into development planning, making community active, releasing fund, monitoring and evaluation