Study on the community forest policy and its impacts on local livelihoods in hilly and Terai region, Nepal

概要

報告番号

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Study on the community forest policy and its impacts on
local livelihoods in hilly and Terai region, Nepal

論文題目

（ネパールの丘陵地と低地におけるコミュニティフォレスト
の政策と地域住民の生計に及ぼす影響に関する研究）

氏

名

ADHIKARI Sudha

論 文 内 容 の 要 旨

The Community Forest (CF) program in Nepal, known for its protection-oriented
approach and support for rural livelihoods, has gained global recognition but has
been criticized for its limited profit generation, leading the Nepal government to
introduce the Scientific Forest Management (SciFM) based on a productionoriented model in community forests. Due to the unforeseen challenges and
outcomes, the practice of SciFM in community forests did not unfold as anticipated,
resulting in its subsequent ban. Policy changes in forest management directly
impact people's livelihoods, emphasizing the need to evaluate forest policies with
consideration for both livelihoods and environmental sustainability in order to
strike a balance between economic benefits and ecological well-being. My study
examines how transitions in policies affect the livelihoods of the local community
and also explores the specific impacts of natural disasters on their well-being,
taking into account the perspective of resilience.
This study focuses on the transition of forest management policy in Nepal,
specifically the shift from Community-based Forest Management to Scientific

Forest Management (SciFM), and its impacts on forest-dependent people in the hilly
and Terai region of Nepal. Six community forests were chosen for the study; three
were exclusively female managed and other three were mixed-gender management.
Field visits, household interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant
interviews were carried out to explore the reasons behind this transition and the
challenges faced by forest-dependent people during its implementation.
The study also examined the specific impacts of natural disasters on the livelihoods
of forest-dependent people due to a lack of proper forest management policy.
Furthermore, it also emphasized the decrease in the availability of fuelwood,
fodder, and timber affects livelihood, while underscoring the importance of NonTimber Forest Products (NTFPs) in support of resilience. The study revealed that
landslides, soil erosion, and wildlife populations created fear among locals,
affecting their forest dependency and leading to the search for alternative livelihood
measures. Water scarcity and problems with irrigation impacted agricultural
production, affecting incomes and driving people to seek other income-generating
alternatives. Migration, remittances, and school closures further impacted human
capital and social dynamics within the community.
Additionally, the study explored the impacts of the dismissal of SciFM, revealing
mixed perceptions among forest users, with economic benefits being the primary
driver for its support. Also, within specific regional contexts, such as the
comparison between the Terai region and the hilly region in Nepal, it was observed
that the only women-managed community forest in the Terai region appeared to be
performing better. The geographical location of the Terai region, with its lowland
plains, offered advantages such as greater availability of natural resources,
improved access to markets or infrastructure, or better support from local

institutions. Furthermore, the study also suggested that women tend to have a strong
attachment to forest conservation.
Based on multiple discussions and field visits with relevant stakeholders, this study
concluded that SciFM should include transparent and accountable governance,
aligned with the needs and aspirations of forest users, resulting in a sustainable
resource management. Also, our study emphasized on the necessity of integrating
resilience into forest management. The study calls for strengthened local
institutional policies and mechanisms, promoting knowledge, skills, and practices
for effective post-disaster recovery and sustainable forest conservation. Overall,
the findings provide insights into the challenges and opportunities in forest
management, informing strategies to enhance the resilience and well-being of
forest-dependent communities in Nepal.