Impact of community forestry : A GIS-aided study for Roshi watershed, Kabhrepalanchok, Nepal | |
| Author | Gautam, Ambika Prasad |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-08 |
| Subject(s) | Community forests--Nepal--Kabhrepalanchok Geographic information systems Roshi Watershed |
| Note | 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. AC-99-08 |
| Abstract | Community forestry was formally introduced in Nepal in 1978 and now it is the major strategy in cow1try's forest policy. Under this program, about 500,000 hectares (about 8% of country's total forest area) of public forest is now being managed by local communities through approximately 6,000 recognized Forest User Groups in the country and the process of handing-over more and more forests to FU Gs is in progress. This research investigated the impacts of community forestry program in Roshi watershed area of Kabhrepalanchok district, located in the Middle Mountain region in central Nepal. An integrated approach of impact assessment was taken, combining tools and techniques from three major disciplines: GIS, ecological research and socioeconomic research. Both the primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through sample surveys including forest inventories, household smvey and key-informants interview. A GIS analysis designed to assess the changes in the area of forested land between 1954 and 1992 revealed that the area of forested land in the study area, declined continuously over the period. But after the implementation of community forestry program, a significant portion of slU'ublands, which were mostly degraded forests, were converted to forest. Most of such conversion took place in relatively accessible parts of the watershed, where community forestry program was first implemented. Analysis of primary data collected from 37 forest plots across the study area, showed that aspect and canopy closure of planted trees, affect species diversity and stem density of woody plants in pine plantation. Overall, pine plantations are poorer in species diversity as well as stem density compared to natural forests; this effect is greatest in southern slopes. The improvement in forest condition under FUGs management has, in general, improved the availability of forest products (except fodder) and there is an improvement in overall environmental condition of the study area. Some weaknesses in the management, however, are limiting the efficient use of available community forest resources. Private forests are contributing a major share of total fodder and timber supply. Overall, results of this study indicated the positive impact of community forestry program in the study area. Better conservation of forests under FUGs management, improved the forest condition that in turn increased the availability of some of the forest products and also helped to balance the environmental condition. Some management issues that are limiting the diversification of products and efficient utilization of community forests need to be resolved to further refine the program in future. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AC-99-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Apisit Eiumnoh; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ganesh Shivakoti;Edward L. Webb; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |