Governance of Community Based Institutions in Siraha District of Eastern Nepal

Abstract

The research explores the governance issues and the underlying principles, forces and factorsthat contribute to good or poor governance in community-based institutions (CBIs). It doesthis by assessing six elements of governance, viz. transparency, accountability, rule of law,equity, participation and predictability, in Kamala Uttarbahini Water Users Association(KUWUA) and Nandababa Community Forest User Group (NCFUG) in Badaramahal VDC,Bandipur, Siraha district. CBIs are facing several challenges in terms of good governance. This research addresses thegaps by exploring natural resource-based CBIs through governance perspective and explainingthe driving forces and factors to result this situation. To address the gaps, two theoreticalperspectives have been taken: Structural and Cognitive Social Capital for ParticipatoryIrrigation andCommunity Forestry as a Social Process.The research attempts to assess thepractice of governance in CBIs, taking the case of NCFUG and KUWUA, and to identify thoseforces and factors that contribute to good or poor governance in CBIs. Based on an analysis offindings, it further explores the strengths and areas for improvement in terms of theirgovernance. The research design is qualitative and analytical based on a descriptiveframeworkdesign, drawing on both primary and secondary information. The information iscollected throughsome key participatory tools and techniques. The data for this study havebeen gathered from the field work during 2004-06. The research concludes that when users and executives of CBIs have technical andmanagerial skills, there is proper documentation of processes and decisions. Illiteracy, socialinequality, marginalization, social discrimination, social misbehaves and the attitude of thepeople not to question the powerful local political leaders contribute to lesseningtransparency. Clear dissemination of information in local dialects, using, if possible, oral ortraditional methods, motivates users to attend meetings and discussions to share theirideas. The research also reflects that self-monitoring practices are more effective thanguided monitoring in terms of ownership and social responsibility to abide by rules.Furthermore, creation of an inequitable environment and prejudice-led resourcemobilization can lead to mistrust and poor transparency as well as poor ownership, whileequitable resource mobilization ensures ownership. Delegated power is an instinct driver forpromoting the sense of being accountable to the primary purpose of executives in the CBIs.Furthermore, accepted and conscious-based structuring and infrastructure is essential toachieve well functioning CBIs following governance principles. To achieve this, realisticplanning and wider coordination is essential. Thus, empowered users and education and advance communication practices are the forcesfor transparent CBIs. Size of CBIs and participatory approaches in management also vi contribute to ensuring that rules are followed, concerns are heard and ownership is felt.Trust and confidence in representative committees keeps the system alive. Governancethrough informal rules and norms directs users to achieve the goals of CBIs. On the otherhand, deliberate actions to delay communication, inability to enforce the establishedrulesand norms, financial mismanagement and failure to audit the institution’s financials reportsnegate governance in the CBIs. Poor social mobilization through poor sensitization, pooracknowledgement of social energy and trust weaken the binding forceamong users, thusaffecting users’ faith in the executives and executives' responsibility over users