Community Forestry for Environmental Management and Poverty Reduction in Nepal- A Case study of Syalapani Community Forest Management, Dang

Abstract

Community forestry concept is an innovative and future oriented approach towards participatory forest management by the local people. Community forestry in Nepal provides some key outcomes in the aspects of livelihoods and democracy and identifies two key lessons in relation to forest resource management, social inclusion and contribution to democratization process in Nepal. Rural people as having complex livelihoods depend on diverse resources, not as farmers who depend on a single resource. Community management is an effective way to transfer state property rights to rural people. People dependent on forest resources often live in extreme poverty. The majority of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas. People who depend on forests for their livelihoods are often geographically isolated, socially and culturally marginalised. The World Bank estimates that 80 percent of people living in absolute poverty depend on forest resources. This means that forest management is central to poverty alleviation. Syalapani Community Forest has increased community participation in forest management and community people agree with current changes towards a more diversified understanding of rural livelihoods amongst forestry organisations and development workers. It has promoted social equity because several groups share control over resources, including marginalised people. If excessive rent seeking can be avoided, collaboration with state forest authorities can improve management and market access for villagers and improve resource use in tropical forests.