| Author | Wagle, Sekhar |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-02-08 |
| Subject(s) | Community forests Nepal
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of
Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-02-08 |
| Abstract | This study was conducted to assess the contribution of Community Forestry (CF) to the
livelihood of the local people of three Forest User Groups (FUGs) in Makwanpur district,
located in the middle mountain region in central Nepal. The contributions of CF were
assessed in te1ms of forests products' supply and availability, infrastructures development,
farming system, women's workload and increase in income to the user. The study
compared the user's requirements of forest products and their supply situation from the CF,
analyzed the income and expenditures pattern of PUG fund and evaluated the perception of
user in fund mobilization, benefit sharing, decision-making process, conflict management
and availability of forest products in order to explore the contribution of CF to the local
participants.
The main objectives were to evaluate the importance of community forest as a source of
forest products compared to other sources; to assess the production capacity of community
forest to supply the forest products; to analyze the contribution of community forestry on
socio-economic development of users group and to examine the decision making process
and conflicts in FUGs. The study was based on both qualitative and quantitative
information. Household survey; focus group discussion; discussion with forest user group
committee (FUGC) members; field observation; key informants survey; record collection
from FUGCs' office; review of PUG forest management plan and constitution; and forest
inventory for biomass and annual yield calculation were the main research techniques
used.
The research showed that the overall supply of forest products was much higher from CF
than other sources e.g. National Forest (NF), Private Forest (PF) and market. Users still
depended upon PF for the preferred fodder and grass species. The CF had contributed to
time savings and easiness of collection of forest products. The comparison of timber and
fuel wood extraction with the annual yield indicates that out of the three CFs, one had over
utilized. The CF had significantly contributed to the development of many small-scale
community infrastructures, e.g. schools, road, drinking water facility, and sanitation,
thereby providing easier and more access to essential basic services at local level.
Community forestry had contributed directly and indirectly towards savings of income of
the users by reducing their expenditure on timber and fuelwood and reduced women
workload. It had also provided sufficient quantity of bedding materials for compost
manure. Forest product sales were the major source of income for the FUGs. A large
portion of fund was used in community infrastructure development.
There was poor participation of women in the decision making process and they remained
passive in decision-making. The participation of general FUG members in decisionmaking
process was fairly satisfactory. Some, not so serious, conflicts were observed and
FUGs were capable to resolve conflicts within their own circle.
In summary, the results of this study showed positive contribution of CF programme on the
livelihood factors of local participants. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-02-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Webb, Edward L.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Soparth Pongquan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danish International Development Assistance; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |