Consolidating multi-stakeholder process in forest policy decisions...
Transcript of Consolidating multi-stakeholder process in forest policy decisions...
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Consolidating multi-stakeholder process in forest
policy decisions through Ban Chautari (forest
dialogue) in Nepal
Final Report
Dil Bahadur Khatri
Dipak BK
Naya Sharma Paudel
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Table of contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Background and rationale .......................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.3. Approach and strategies ............................................................................................................ 4
2. Activities accomplished in 2011 ...................................................................................... 5
2.1. Preparatory work for Van Chautari ........................................................................................... 5
2.2. Organized Ban Chautaris ........................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Post Chautari activities (communication and outreach) ........................................................... 7
3. Achievements of 2011 ..................................................................................................... 11
4. Overall achievement of partnership with GFP in Nepal ............................................... 14
5.1. Outputs .................................................................................................................................... 14
5.2. Outcomes ................................................................................................................................. 15
5.3. Policy outcomes (influence)..................................................................................................... 15
5. Lessons for future policy dialogue ................................................................................. 16
Annexes: ................................................................................................................................ 18
Annex 1: Summary report of Ban Chautari annual review workshop ................................................. 18
Annex 2: Summary report of Ban Chautaries ...................................................................................... 20
Annex 2: Detail description of communication and outreach activities ............................................. 36
List of Tables:
Table 1: Summary of Ban Chautari organized in 2011 ............................................................................. 6
Table 2: Summary information of booklets published ............................................................................. 7
Table 3: Overview of TV progam developed and broadcasted based on Ban Chautaries........................ 9
Table 4: Summary information on Radio Programs developed and broadcasted ................................. 10
Table 5: Overview of feature articles published in Newspapers based on Ban Chautari ....................... 11
Table 6: Summary table showing policy contribution of Ban Chautaries ............................................... 12
Table 7: Summary of dialogues conducted ............................................................................................. 14
Table 8: Summary of communication and outreach .............................................................................. 15
List of figures:
Figure 1: Step by step schematic framework for organising a Ban Chautari ........................................... 4
Figure 2: Gender ratio of Ban Chautari participants ............................................................................... 13
Figure 3: Representation in Ban Chautaris ............................................................................................. 13
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1. Introduction
1.1. Background and rationale
Maximising policy impact of research through strengthening research-policy link has been a
chronic challenge in public policy process. ForestAction has been engaging in research and
policy dialogue for more than a decade and is experimenting diverse modalities for enhancing
communication and effectiveness within multi-stakeholder processes. In this process, a small
group of civil society organizations (ForestAction, the Federation of Community Forestry
Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), Nepal Foresters‘ Association (NFA) and ASMITA Nepal) formed
a consortium and initiated a catalytic multi-stakeholder forest policy dialogue in partnership
with Growing Forest Partnership (GFP) in 2010.
The consortium members are working together to understand dynamics of forest policy
process and are exploring avenues for creating deliberative spaces for forest sector policy
processes. During the first phase of this initiative, the consortium worked together to identify
anomalies and key hurdles underpinning forest policy formulation process. The enriched
understanding is accompanied with some innovative strategies for supporting more deliberative
public discussion on policy process. Public consultation meetings at local, regional and national
level organised during the first phase demanded for more public oriented, informed, open and
constructive dialogue around any policy agenda before the policies get decided by the
authorities. So far, dialogues at various levels have categorically identified different policy issues
that need rigorous analysis and stakeholder dialogue. Based on collective lessons and insights,
we proposed to introduce the idea and practice of Van Cahutari as a unique platform that
allows accessible and non competing space for debating all relevant forest policy agenda. This
brief note describes the structure and process proposed Van Chautari.
The design and operation of Van Chautari has provided a common, multi-stakeholder regular
forum for all policy actors. There is a steering committee comprising consortium members and
key individuals outside the consortium with history of significant contribution to democratising
forest policy process. The collective decision of the consortium members provided day to day
operational supports –institutional, human resources and financial resources. However, the
general structure of the Chautari remained slightly porous providing an opportunity for the
inclusion of those willing to contribute. Apart from the resources and expertise within the
consortium members, the Chautari mobilised expertise and resources outside the members for
facilitating effective and productive debate on forest policy agenda.
This report presents key achievements of partnership with GFP in Nepal for catalyzing
restructuring forest sector policy process towards more deliberative and democratic process.
Key focus of the report will be presenting results and achievements of 2011 activities. The final
section will also provide overall achievement of partnership with GFP since 2010.
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1.2. Objectives
1. Consolidate multistakeholder forums for informed debate on forest policy process 2. Institutionalise common platform for critical dialogue on contemporary policy agenda in
forestry sector 3. Bring forest policy decisions into public debate where every policy agenda is scrutinized
through broader public policy perspectives
1.3. Approach and strategies
Ban Chautari is the specially designed multi-stakeholder policy dialogue that combines
diagnostic analysis with public policy dialogue. The process constitutes a series of consultation,
documentation, analysis, synthesis and communication as embedded elements. It is aimed at
enhancing stakeholders‘ understanding around contemporary policy issues through an
informed debate based on critical diagnostic analysis, expert critique and moderated exchange
of stakeholders view.
Figure 1 Step by step schematic framework for organising a Ban Chautari
Each Ban Chautari consists of series of carefully thought and designed steps (figure 1). Once
the specific policy issue is identified, the diagnostic analysis is carried out involving the
genealogy of the problem, arguments for and against, actor mapping, suggested solutions and
responses and the knowledge gap for better understanding. Some 4-6 experts on the specific
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Box 1: Ban Chautari Steering Committee
1. Hemanta Ojha, Forest Governance Expert
2. Ghanashyan Pandey, Global Alliance of
Community Forestry (GACF)
3. Apsara Chapagain, Federation of Community
Forest Users‘ Nepal (FECOFUN)
4. Bharati Pathak, Asmita Nepal
5. Devesh Mani Tripathi, Nepal Foresters
Association (NFA)
6. Naya Sharma Paudel, ForestAction Nepal
7. Dil Bahadur Khatri (member secretary), GFP
Nepal Coordinator on behalf of ForestAction
Nepal.
8. Representative of Department of Forest
policy issue are identified, informed on the content and provided with available literature on
issue. They were supplied with relevant questions in advance in which they would put their
arguments. 30-40 participants representing different stakeholders and fields of experiences were
invited. Researcher presents the diagnostic analysis followed by comments and views from
panelists. After brief presentation by the panelists, the floor is open for moderated discussion.
Finally, someone presents the summary of the discussion followed by formal closing. This
follows media interactions in TV/FM, documentary and feature articles. A booklet on each
major policy issue documenting the substantive debate as well as methodological insights is
prepared and published.
2. Activities accomplished in 2011
2.1. Preparatory work for Van Chautari
To institutionalize the idea of combining
quick and timely diagnostic studies with
multi-stakeholder policy dialogue through
the Ban Cahutari, the GFP Nepal team
formed a steering including key policy
actors and GFP consortium members (See
box 1 for composition of steering
committee). The committee has been
responsible to provide overall guidance to
the Ban Chautari process. The committee
met regularly and identified key forest sector
policy issues for multi-stakeholder dialogue.
Diagnostic studies were conducted on the
policy issues identified for stakeholder
dialogue. The results of the studies were
presented at the beginning of the Chautaries
which served as background information for the discussion in Ban Chautaries. Some of the
studies, especially conducted by ForestAction were ended up with discussion paper which were
published and shared widely. The presentations based on the diagnostic studies were made
available on website along with the synthesis report of the Chautari.
2.2. Organized Ban Chautaris
Ban Chautari is a public platform that provides an open interactive space on all relevant forest
policy agendas in which contemporary forest policy issues are debated. It is being governed by
a steering committee comprising of all important civil society actors involved in forest policy
dialogue seeking to provide significant contribution to democratizing forest policy process. The
steering committee developed a broad framework for the modus operandi of the Chautari and
the consortium members (ForestAction, FECOFUN, NFA and Asmita Nepal) developed
operational norms to organize and facilitate the debate. The process remained slightly porous
providing an opportunity for the inclusion of those willing to contribute. The Chautari
mobilized expertise and resources beyond the supporting consortium members for sustaining
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and expanding productive dialogue on forest policy agenda. Ban Chautaries organized in 2011
are as follows:
Table 1: Summary of Ban Chautari organized in 2011
S.
N
Issue of Ban Chautari Organized date
and Venue
Organizer Co-
organizer
Participant
s
1. Restructuring protected
areas: Exploring
democratic governance
framework of conservation
area in Nepal
July 3rd, 2011;
SAP Falcha,
Babarmahal
FECOFUN ForestActio
n
Male: 47
Female: 10
Total: 57
2. Poverty reduction through
forestry: Exploring
strategies to realize
economic benefits of
timber management in
Nepal
July 7th, 2011;
SAP Falcha,
Babarmahal
ForestAction FECOFUN Male: 43
Female: 5
Total: 48
3. Scientific forest
management: opportunities
and challenges
19th July, 2011;
DoF, Babarmahal
Nepal
Foresters
Association
(NFA)
- Male: 47
Female: 7
Total: 54
4. Forest Enterprise:
Opportunities and
Challenges in the context
of Nepal
1st August, 2011;
SAP Falcha,
Babarmahal
Asmita Nepal HIMAWAN
TI Nepal
Male: 40
Female: 20
Total:62
5. Revisiting PA buffer zones:
Exploring legal and
institutional reforms in
buffer zone management
20th-21st October,
2011;
SAP Falcha,
Babarmahal
ForestAction Community
Developmen
t
Organizatio
n (CDO)
Male: 43
Female: 6
Total: 49
6. Nepal‘s Green Forest:
Green Economy or Black
Money?
24th November,
2011;
Indreni Complex,
New Baneshwor
Asmita Nepal HIMAWAN
TI Nepal
Male: 57
Female: 12
Total: 69
7. Terai forest management:
issues, opportunities and
challenges
4th December,
2011;
SAP Falcha,
Babarmahal
NFA - Male: 43
Female: 7
Total: 50
8. Roll of Communities and
challenges in Chure
Conservation
11th December,
2011
Sidhartha Food
Land, Old
Baneshwor
FECOFUN CDO Male: 39
Female: 10
Total: 49
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Gist of the Ban Chautaries was captured in a brief report (less than two pages) which is
attached in annex 1 of this report. After accomplishment of the all 9 (including one conducted
in collaboration with IIED) in 2011, first annual review of the Ban Chautari was conducted in
30th December in Kathmandu. The aim of the review was to to share the outcomes of 9
Chautaries and lessons of conducting informed policy dialogues with policy communities and
forest sector stakeholders. Brief report of the review workshop is attached in annex 1.
2.3. Post Chautari activities (communication and outreach)
As discussed earlier each Ban Chautari consists of a comprehensive package of activities
including pre-Chautari preparation, conduction of dialogue and post-Chautari communication
andoutreach activities. The post-Chautari activities are meant to communicate the key message
of the Chautaries to wider audience through different means. This section provides the
overview of post-Chautari communication and outreach activities conducted in 2011.
a. Synthesis report of Chautaries
Key message of each Ban Chautari was captured in a synthesis report. The reports of all 8
Chautaries were prepared and circulated to all participants of Chautari, forest sector
stakeholders and GFP partners. Reports are also uploaded in ForestAction and GFP websites.
Gist of Ban Chautaries was also captured in a brief synthesis report which is attached in annex
2.
b. Booklet
Considering that the Ban Cahutari events were only participated by key national level
stakeholders and experts, the key policy issues discussed in the Ban Cahutaries were captured in
a booklet written in Nepali language. The purpose of writing and publishing booklets was to
communicate the key policy issues to sub-national and grass-root levels. As shown in the
following table, each consortium partner (there were 4 consortium members) published one
booklet capturing the key message of Chautaries convened by the respective organization.
Elaborated version of the table is provided in annex 3.
Table 2: Summary information of booklets published
SN Title of Booklet Authors Publisher
1 Forest and Poverty: Economic
potentiality of timber management
and challenges in Nepal
Mani Ram Banjade, Naya Sharma Paudel,
Rahul Karki, Ramesh Sunam and Bijaya
Raj Paudel (English edition)
Bidya Nath Jha, Dipak BK and Rajesh
Bista (Nepali translation and editing)
ForestAction
2 Peoples‘ movement for community
right in Gaurishankar Conservation
Area
Bhola Khatiwoda, Dipak BK and Thakur
Bhandari
FECOFUN
3 Green forest of Nepal: Green
economy or a black money?
Ghanashyam Pandey Asmita
Nepal
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4 Terai forest management: issues,
opportunities and challenges
Dr. Jagannath Joshi, Deveshmani Tripathi
and Kumud Shrestha
NFA
c. Policy brief and discussion papers
With the objective of communicating the idea of linking diagnostic analysis key policy issues
with research with multi-stakeholder policy dialogues through Ban Chautari to the policy
communities and international audience, ForestAction on behalf of GFP Nepal team prepared
policy brief and discussion paper. These two knowledge products captured essence of Ban
Chautari where critical action research has been linked to policy dialogue with the aim of
informing national forest policy process. The policy brief covered the following key messages.
Ban Chautari has created credible platform for informed debate on contemporary forest
policy issues
Critical enquiry informed by transformative political agenda help stakeholders revisit their
positions
Policy events must be the part of series of complementary elements involving analysis,
discussion, synthesis and communication
Informed debate can help appreciate multiple views and build stakeholder trust
Similarly the discussion paper argued that the multi-stakeholder policy dialogues could be
instrumental to inform the national policy processes if informed with quick and timely
diagnostic studies. Such dialogues are helpful to inform the stakeholders on key policy issues
and contestations and narrow down the gap between the stakeholders and policy actors.
Abstract of the discussion papers is provided in the box below. Copies of the discussion paper
and policy brief are available electronically and in printed form.
This paper argues that multi-stakeholder policy dialogue combined with diagnostic analysis of contemporary
policy issues induces informed debate through constructive and sustained engagement of stakeholders. The paper
examines the process and outcomes of the 9 Ban Chautari processes facilitated jointly by a civil society consortium
in Nepal. It also draws heavily from their experience and insights in influencing forest policy process in Nepal.
It is found that the specifically designed Ban Chautaris that equally recognise the scientific research and the
political positioning of stakeholders became helpful in garnering sustained interests, inducing active engagement
and generating a fruitful debate among the stakeholders. It is argued that the forest policy dialogue under Ban
Chautari have induced qualitative differences with other policy dialogue and have substantially contributed to
informed policy debate on many issues.
d. Media engagement
It was very crucial to communicate the key forest sector policy issues discussed in the Ban
Chautaries to the general public. Realizing this importance, GFP Nepal program made
provision to engage with mass media. The key policy issues and debates came out from the
Chautaries were brought to the general public through both electronic and print media. The
summery of media activities is provided in this section.
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TV programs
TV programs either captured the key highlights of Chaitaries or convened moderated
stakeholders dialogues on the forest policy issues. The purpose of the TV programs was to
inform the policy communities on key forest policy issues and contestations. Following table
provides glimpse of the TV program detail of which is attached in annex 3.
Table 3: Overview of TV progam developed and broadcasted based on Ban Chautaries
SN Title of TV program
Program title Duration Broadcasted date/s and media house
Responsible organization
1 Aankhi Jhyal
Revisiting PA buffer zones: Exploring legal and institutional reforms in buffer zone management
15 min. 29th November, 2011(Tuesday) at 5:00 pm in NTV and
29th November, 2011 (Tuesday) at 6:30 pm in Avenues TV
(Same program was telecasted from both media houses)
ForestAction
2 Serofero Community rights in Gauri Shankar Conservation Area (GCA)
15 Min May 27, 2011 (From NTV 2)
FECOFUN
Serofero Community right in Protected Areas in Nepal
15 Min October 24, 2011 (From NTV 2)- Part one
Serofero Community right in Protected Areas in Nepal (part two)
15 Min October 31, 2011 (From NTV 2)- Part two
Serofero Rastrapati Chure Conservation program and the role of local communities
15 Min December 5, 2011 (From NTV 2)- Part One
Serofero Rastrapati Chure Conservation program and the role of local communities (part two)
15 Min December 12, 2011 (From NTV 2)- Part two
3 Aankhi Jhyal
Scientific forest management: issues, opportunities and challenges
24 Min 30 sec
December 27, 2011 (Tuesday) at 6:30 pm in Avenues TV
NFA
4 Kathmandu Web
Enterprise and forest governance for poverty reduction in Nepal
16 Min October 30, 2011 (at 8:30 PM in Sagarmatha TV)
Asmita
Serofero Reporting of Ban Chautaries 10 Min November 28, 2011 (7:30 PM in NTV-2)
Asmita
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Radio programs
Like TV programs, the Radio programs also captured key policy issues discussed in Ban
Chautaries. Those programs were targeted to wider audience including local communities. The
following table provides glimpse of Radio program developed and broadcasted during 2011.
Table 4: Summary information on Radio Programs developed and broadcasted
SN Title/theme of Radio program Radio station and program
Broadcasted date Responsible organization
1 Revisiting PA buffer zones: Exploring legal and institutional reforms in buffer zone management
Radio Sagarmatha ( Khulla Manch)
Saturday October 22, 2011 at 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM
ForestAction
2 Forest and Poverty: Economic potentiality of timber management and challenges in Nepal
Radio Sagarmatha (Khulla Manch)
Saturday, July 9th , 2011 at 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM
ForestAction
3 Rastrapati Chure Conservation program and the role of local communities
Radio Sagarmatha ( Batabaran Dabali)
December 15, 2011 at 7:30 to 8: 30 AM
FECOFUN
4 Rastrapati Chure Conservation program and the role of local communities (Open discussion among experts)
Radio Sagarmatha (Batabaran Dabali)
December 25, 2011 at 12:15 PM to 1: 15 PM
FECOFUN
5 Tension in Terai Forest Radio Nepal (Ban Ko Bises reporting)
December 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
NFA
6 Scientific Forest Management in Nepal
Radio Nepal (Ban Ko Bises reporting)
January 4, 2012 at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
NFA
7 Forest based enterprise development and provisions in CF guideline
Makawanpur FM ( Ban Chautari Karyakram)
December 11, 2011 at 7:30 AM- Par one
Asmita
Makawanpur FM (Ban Chautari Karyakram)
December 18, 2011 at 7:30 AM- Par two
Asmita
Proposal of Forest Act 1993 amendment and community response
Makawanpur FM (Ban Chautari Karyakram)
December 25, 2011 at 7:30 AM
Asmita
CF resource mobilization on community development
Makawanpur FM (Ban Chautari Karyakram)
January 1, 2012 at 7:30 AM
Asmita
8 Issue in forestry sector and peoples‘ right
Prakriti FM (Forest and Environemnt Program)
December 21, 2011 at 6:30 AM
Asmita
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Feature articles:
Journalists working on the issue of natural resource management and forestry were actively
participated in the Ban Chautaries who captured the key message of the events in newspaper
articles and published in national daily news papers. The following table provides overview of
the feature articles published in 2011.
Table 5: Overview of feature articles published in Newspapers based on Ban Chautari
SN Title of Article Published media and Date Author Responsible organization
1 Samudaya Jage Pachhi (When people unite)
Annapurna Post/Jun 8, 2011 Krishna Murari Bhandari
ForestAction
2 Ghar Uthaune Kath (Timber for house construction)
Annapurna Post/27th July, 2011 Krishna Murari Bhandari
ForestAction
3 Gaurabmaya project Hawadari Sanchalan (Ad hoc management of prestigious project)
Annapurna Post/November 16, 2011
Krishna Murari Bhandari
FECOFUN
4 Terai Sake, Bhabar Sake, Palo Chure ko (Deforestation is shifting from Terai to Chure)
Annapurna Post/December 21, 2011
Krishna Murari Bhandari
FECOFUN
5 Kath Karmachariko Kandai Kanda
Annapurna Post/ Pitamber Sigdel Asmita
6 Palo Aba Harit Arthatantrako (This is time of Green Economy)
Annapurna Post/October 10, 2011
Pitamber Sigdel Asmita
7 Sankat ma Sagarnath Ban
Sagarnath forest in risk)
Naya Patrika/ December 7, 2011 Pramod Tandan NFA
8 Ban Bata Barsik 39 Arba rupaiyan Aamdani Hune
(Forest can earn billion a year)
Naya Patrika/ December 17, 2011
Pramod Tandan NFA
3. Achievements of 2011
The Ban Chautari has resulted in increased stakeholders‘ commitment to engage in policy
dialogue. Stakeholders who were previously not very enthusiastic in such dialogue or tended to
avoid interface have now started showing their interests and have began to contribute. They
have felt comfortable in sharing and exchange despite visible differences in substantive policy
agenda. Government officials, FECOFUN leaders, timber entrepreneurs, researchers and CSO
activists are now engaged in exchange of constructive arguments on a range of policy issues.
Table 1 below provides a brief summary of the Ban Chautaries and their contribution.
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Table 6: Summary table showing policy contribution of Ban Chautaries
Title Policy issue Contribution from Ban Chautari
Revisiting PA buffer zones: Exploring legal and institutional reforms in buffer zone management
After 15 years of implementation of buffer zone programme, new challenges have emerged and stakeholders are demanding substantial change in its legal and institutional framework
Stakeholders agreed that programme needs revision including its foundation law protected area act 1973. BZ council‘s lead role and government‘s facilitating role suggested.
Restructuring Protected Areas: Exploring democratic governance framework of conservation areas in Nepal
Continued expansion of protected area is increasingly contested, deliberative and inclusive process is demanded
Role of conservation areas in managing larger landscapes is appreciated. They also recognised the shortcomings with existing models and saw opportunities for more democratic and participatory management models.
Poverty reduction through forestry: Exploring strategies to realise economic benefits of timber management in Nepal
Timber has been kept in low profile in policy debate and discourse despite it has been hot spot in practice. This has undermined the potential benefit that could be fetched from the Timber.
Realizing the huge potential of timber to contribute in national economy and employment, stakeholders called for attention to bring the timber policy and associate issues in public debate and policy priority.
Forest Enterprise: Opportunities and Challenges in the context of Nepal
There are huge policy gaps and practical hurdles in promoting community-based forest enterprises
Key policy gaps and practical hurdles for community-based forest enterprises were identified and attention of government has been drawn for revising the policies and correcting in practice
Scientific Forest Management Opportunities, Challenges and Reality
Irrespective of management regime, Nepalese forest lack scientific and productive forest management
Key factors hindering to the scientific forest management have been identified and stakeholders called for immediate action for piloting productive forest management in different management regimes
Nepal‘s forests: Green economy or black money
Despite huge potential to promote green economy, Nepal‘s forests are being playground for black money
Four key issues requires consideration to move towards green economy. The conceptual clarity, services and technologies, policy and legal barriers on forest based trade and enterprise and tenure security, community rights.
Challenges of Churia conservation and role of local communities
Despite huge efforts from government and other development agencies, Churia region across the country is degrading and President Churi Conservation program initiated by GoN has been highly contested
Stakeholders unanimously agreed that Chure need immediate attention due to ecological, socio-economic and political significance. It requires technological and institutional innovation to deal the current conservation challenges. With this realization, the stakeholders agreed to sit on further debate and discussion for improvising the Present Chure Conservation Program and seeking other options.
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Gender ratio of Ban Chautari participants
Male, 379, 83%
Female, 77, 17%
Representation in Ban Chautaries
Researchers,
81, 18%
Politicians, 15,
3%
Government
Agencies, 77,
17%
CSOs, 283, 62%
In total Chautaris were participated by 456 people representing MOFSC, civil society
organizations, experts and researchers. Though efforts were made to participate women and
marginalized people in the Chautaries we have only satisfactory results (see figure 2 below). It
confirms that there is very limited access of women and marginalized communitiesin in forest
sector policy process.
Figure 2: Gender ratio of Ban Chautari participants
Figure 3: Representation in Ban Chautaris
Despite limitations, the idea and process of Ban Chaitaries was well appreciated by the
stakeholders. A reputed forest sector expert said 'the presentations on forest policy issues were
very pertinent and the government would have greatly benefited by these deliberations. But,
unfortunately, the presence of policy level officials from the Government was only for
namesake. Similarly a media person appreciated the idea of Chautari by saying 'the good part
was that there weren't such traditional format where organisers try to impose the issues. …the
series of discussions were fruitful and very open. But repetition of speakers and even the
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participants, needs rethinking'. The activists also liked the unique platform provided by the
Chautari for policy debate. One of the FECOFUN officeholder said 'Ban Chautari became a
platform to debate and discuss on contemporary policy issues which other conventional
forums has hardly provided. Bureaucrats, experts and activists all found it as a open platform to
express their views and debate on pressing policy issues'.
4. Overall achievement of partnership with GFP in Nepal
Partnership with GFP in Nepal was initiated since 2010 with the aim of catalizing restructuring
of forest sector policy process. This is the final phase of GFP (in current arrangement) it
would be incomplete to only talk about the 2011 activities that intensively focused around the
idea of Ban Cautari. The first phase (2010) GFP program in Nepal provided background work
for the conceptualization of the Ban Chautari by identifying the key policy contestation existed
in the forest sector of Nepal. The second phase was developed with the insights and lessons of
series of policy dialogues conducted from community to national levels. In this backdrop, this
section provides the overall achievement of GFP partnership in Nepal. It covers mainly
outputs and outcomes (with additional section on policy outcomes).
5.1. Outputs
Key civil society actors of the forest sector in Nepal including ForestAction, FECOFUN, NFA
and Asmita agreed to form a civil society consortium with the aim of catalizing restricting
forest sector policy process towards deliberative and democratic process. Formation of the
consortium itself became huge achievement in terms of building trust among the civil society
actors with different interest and stances in many forest policy issues. The members have
appreciation on linking quick and timely policy research (diagnostic studies) and multi-
stakeholder policy dialogues to support the national policy process.
Second, the consortium members jointly organized series of forest policy dialogues from
community to national level. The following matrix provides the overview of the dialogues
conducted during partnership with GFP in Nepal. The first phase dialogues (conducted in
2010) were useful to identify the key policy issues and contestations which need open policy
dialogue. As discussed earlier the Ban Chautaries conducted in 2011 were instrumental to
inform the stakeholders on key policy problems, sensitize the policy actors on selected policy
issues and develop common understanding over the policy options.
Table 7: Summary of dialogues conducted
Dialogues/Year 2010 Remarks 2011 Remarks
Local level dialogues 9
Sub-national level
diaoogues
12 Including district and
regional dialogues
National dialogues 1 9 Ban Chautaries
National sharing workshop 2 Inception and final
workshop
1 Annual review of Ban
Chautari
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Third, the policy makers including member of the parliament and senior officials from MOFSC
have participated in the national level policy dialogues and informed with the key policy gaps
and contradictions.
The outcomes of the dialogues conducted during two years at different levels were
communicated with the wider audience through different knowledge outputs and mass media.
The following table provides the overview of the outreach and media engagement.
Table 8: Summary of communication and outreach
Outputs/Year 2010 Remarks 2011 Remarks
Knowledge outputs
Discussion papers 2 1
Policy briefs 1
Booklets 1 4
Media engagement
TV 5 5
Radio 20 10
Newspaper articles 7 8
Communication of key message of policy dialogues helped inform the public, policy
communities and forestry experts on key forest policy issues and stakeholder positions. This
will help the policy makers to make informed policy decisions.
5.2. Outcomes
As discussed earlier, leading civil society organizations in forest sector of Nepal formed a
consortium and initiated multi-stakeholder forest policy dialogue with the aim of informing and
supporting the forest sector policy processes in Nepal. In line with a decade long effort of
ForestAction Nepal, the forest sector stakeholders have realized the importance of linking
research (policy analysis which has been termed as diagnostic analysis) with the policy
dialogues. The multi-stakeholder policy has been institutionalized under the brand of Ban
Chautari. After participation in series of multi-stakeholder dialogues conducted since 2010 and
seeing the results of such dialogues, interest and commitment of the forest sector stakeholders
and policy actors have been increased to engage in rigorous policy dialogues. This has helped to
develop faith over the serious policy dialogues to inform the policy decisions. The efforts put
by GFP partners in Nepal on the policy oriented research, multi-stakeholder dialogues and
communicating the message to wider audience has helped to narrow down the gap in many
contentious policy issues.
5.3. Policy outcomes (influence)
As explained earlier, the GFP Nepal program has special focus on multi-stakeholder policy
dialogues on pertinent forest policy issues in forest sector. The aim of the program was not to
directly contribute in the national policy process. Rather the program was intended to create an
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open platform for policy dialogue that could contribute for minimizing gap in understanding of
policy issues among the stakeholders. Because of such dialogues, the policy actors including
senior officials from the MOFSC, community leaders (FECOFUN), politicians and experts
actively engaged in the dialogues and got informed on many contested policy issues in the
sector. The diagnostic studies conducted around the key policy issues found very much helpful
to unpack the policy gaps and hurdles and contributed for effective and engaging dialogues.
Such reflective dialogues were instrumental to understand positions of key policy actors over
various policy issues. Overall, the dialogues along with the diagnostic studies and
communication activities helped to inform the policy communities about the policy issues,
problems and contestations. Though not directly intended, the policy dialogues have
contributed on positive policy decisions. For example, because of continuous advocacy by
FECOFUN, policy dialogues and publication by ForestAction, government of Nepal has been
compelled to rethink over the proposal of amendment of Forest Act 1993. Government has
withdrawn the draft bill and interested to engage in dialogue with concerned stakeholders.
Similarly, series of dialogues and protest, government agreed to form a joint committee
including FECOFUN representatives to draft regulations of Gaurisankhar Conservation Area.
5. Lessons for future policy dialogue
The GFP process in Nepal, particularly the organization and conduction of multi-stakeholder
policy dialogues combined with policy research under the brand of Ban Chautari in 2011 has
provided useful lessons and insights for future policy dialogues in Nepal. This section
summarises the key lessons.
Discussion informed by the diagnostic analysis can substantially add quality in
policy dialogue
Ban Chautaris adopted the distinctively unique approach to combine scientific knowledge with
citizenry politics around contemporary public policy issues. In most of the policy dialogues, a
very thin overview of policy problem were presented and the debate was largely dominated by
the stakeholders narrow interests that oftentimes clashes with other stakeholders‘ interests.
However, in this case, the discussion was supported by a diagnostic analysis covering the width
and depth of the issues linked with actor positions and avenues for transforming the policy and
practice. Presentation of the study findings of diagnostic analysis at the onset of the debate
poses challenges to the stakeholders and the participants to question their understanding and
rethink their respective views and positions.
Policy dialogue must be embedded with several other elements of analysis and
synthesis before and after the actual dialogue
Policy dialogue must be conceived as an integrated and ongoing process that consists of several
elements embedded in a single process. This differentiates Ban Chautari from other normal
policy dialogue forums. Several activities precede the event and many other succeed. However
all these activities contribute to the single goal of helping stakeholders understand key forest
policy issues that ultimately results in democratising policy and practice.
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Diagnostic analysis informed by political agenda for transformation has potential to
engage stakeholder that increases their ownership
The research carried out by pure intellectual curiosity may have its own merit. But to effectively
engage stakeholders, the research question must be informed by the contemporary political
debate. In case of Ban Chautari, only the political and policy relevant issues are selected for
diagnostic analysis. Consequently, it gathered sufficient attention and interests of the
stakeholders. The stakeholders have owned the outcomes of dialogue, they have shown
preparedness to buy in recommendations and have shown preparedness for further actions.
This was primarily due the high relevancy of these policy issues that were identified for
dialogue.
Preparation work especially equipping panelist and participants on the issue under
discussion is critically important for effective dialogue
Huge variation was observed in the quality of the discussion based on the level of pre-event
preparation. Apart from preparing a well developed key note presentation, intensive
communication between the moderator and the panelist on diverse aspects of the issue in
question helps them bring to the same page. In some cases well thought and stakeholder
customized questions were shared in advance with the panelist that helped them organise their
thoughts and articulate the arguments before the actual event. Therefore, it is important to
communicate, share and prepare the panelist so that they can effectively deliver their oral
presentation.
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Annexes:
Annex 1: Summary report of Ban Chautari annual review workshop
30th December, 2011
Indreni complex, Kathmandu
This brief note summarises the deliberations during the annual review of Ban Chautari
organized by the GFP consortium members in Kathmandu on 30 December, 2011. About 50
participants including the Secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC),
over a dozen of Joint Secretaries, other senior forest officials, representatives of civil society,
representatives of private sector and forest professionals and researchers participated in the
event. The programme was conducted in an informal model, initiated by Bharati Pathak
(FECOFUN/Asmita), moderated by Devesh Tripathi (NFA), welcomed by Dil Khatri
(ForestAction) and concluded by Apsara Chapagain (FECOFUN). Naya Sharma Paudel
(ForestAction) made a presentation on reflective revisit of all Ban Chautaris and the whole
multi-stakeholder policy process. The participants commented on the presentation and made
suggestions on the future strategies for Ban Chautaris.
ForestAction, FECOFUN, NFA and Asmita Nepal in collaboration with the Growing Forest
Partnership (GFP) took an initiative on forest policy process with four objectives: diagnostic
analysis, amplify local voices, facilitate multi-stakeholder policy dialogues, and inform wider
public on the process. In 2011, they conducted nine Ban Chautaris on the issues covering
forest act amendment, sustainable forest management, timber management, forest based
enterprise, protected areas and green economy. The Ban Chautari is a comprehensive concept
that includes: identification of contentious policy issue, carry out diagnostic analysis, engaging
with presenter, panelist and participants, organizing a policy debate, dissemination through
mass media, and synthesis and publication. The process has made some good achievements.
First, the initiative has institutionalized ‗Ban Chautari‘ —a unique process of policy dialogue
that combines diagnostic analysis with structured policy dialogue. Second, it has provided a
welcoming environment for dialogue where people can share their views without any fear
which has also helped develop trust among the stakeholders. Third, it has been able to narrow
down the gaps in stakeholders‘ understanding of some major contentious policy agenda such as
sustainable forest and timber management and protected area governance.
The Ban Chautari, as an emerging multi-stakeholder policy forum has a number of issues which
require a careful consideration. The relevance and utility of such policy forums in supporting
the national forest policy process is a major issue. Similarly, while the GFP has supported the
process till now, there are questions on long term sustainability of such forum in the absence of
external support. While the Ban Chautari has emerged as a brand; there are questions of its
standardization, so that every workshop or meeting on forest policy might want to use this
brand. Similar questions are there on its structure and the inclusiveness – how open or
exclusive should it be? There are always challenges in ensuring the quality of the analysis,
discussion and deliberation. These issues were floated in front of the participants.
The participants have diverse responses. They largely appreciated the initiative and recognised
that such process would help in informed policy making in forest sector. Keshav Bhattari, the
Secretary of MoFSC appreciated the Ban Chautari and opined that the government could able
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to provide funding and other support for furthering this process. He assured that the senior
officials will participate the future events; provided that they are informed timely. Uday Sharma,
Ex-Secretary suggested that the government should own and support the process as it would
help informed decision. He urged senior officials to manage time to participate in Chautaris.
Ram Prasad Lamsal opined that in contrary to everyday CSO led meetings, organized to invite
and humiliate policy makers, Ban Chautari has established a culture of mutual respect and
genuine exchange of ideas. Bajra Kishor Yadav, the Director General of Department of Forest
appreciates the process and opined that the DoF would benefit from such dialogue process.
Kapil Adhikiari, chairperson of timber traders stated that the private sector has been involved
in forest policy issue for the first time through Ban Chautaris. He highlighted the role of private
sector and sought a greater cooperation among government, civil society and private sector to
realize the economic potentials of forest resources in the country.
Some participants also warned against potential pitfalls of externally funded initiatives. Krishna
Chandra Paudel, Division Chief of Biodiversity at the MoFSC, Bihari K Shrestha and TN
Bhattarai warned that Ban Chautari should take nationally relevant policy agenda, maintain
transparency of policy issues and management aspects, share outcomes to all relevant actors,
and constructively support government in its policy process. Uday Sharma suggested working
closely with government authority to increase the policy intake. Apart from thismany
participants commented on the substantive aspects – what should be the priority policy agenda
for discussion? Sahas Man Shrestha Director General of DFRS, Juddha Gurung, member
secretary of NTNC and Krishna C Paudel suggested taking sustainable forest management;
ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation in future debates. There were concerns that
Ban Chautari sometimes appeared to be tilted towards CSO agenda and biased towards rights
issues which requires balancing by responsibility. Kumud Shrestha claimed that forest officials
have historically invested in decentralizing forest management and should be credited for that.
Bhola Khatiwada suggested the consortium members to reflect back and address the
sustainability issue of the Ban Chautari process.
The formal closing of the discussion was followed by a reception and dinner. Much more open
sharing and exchange of views took in many small groups. In many cases, these were more
insightful than in formal meeting. On the whole, participants strongly recognized the role of
Ban Chautari in informing stakeholders and policy makers about some complex policy issues.
They expressed their commitment to participate and contribute in the process. Opening up the
steering arrangement, adoption of more sustainable level of expenditure, working closely with
policy makers particularly involving them during the dialogue events and wide sharing of
outcomes were some of the recommendations from the review.
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Annex 2: Summary report of Ban Chautaries
1. Restructuring Protected Areas: Exploring Democratic
Governance Framework of Conservation Area in Nepal
(July 3rd, 2011)
Nepal is well known for its long history of participatory conservation and has framed
innovative policies, legal and institutional modalities of PAs. However, the decisions of the
government in recent years have largely been contested by local communities, Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) and stakeholders. The plea for greater role of local communities in
natural resource management and nature conservation has not been adequately addressed.
Despite the well proven experiences of community based approaches to sustainable
management of forest and biodiversity, the government has sought to expand PAs.
Consequently, there has been growing disagreement between the government and local
communities and diverse stakeholders. The contestation over PA management has further
amplified after declaration of new conservation areas without adequate consultation with
community peoples and concerned stakeholders. Moreover, the government has decided to
hand over the management authority to National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)
which also created doubts on the government‘s commitment on promoting and encouraging
grassroots institutions in resource management.
The demand of meticulous discussion on the abovementioned issues was materialized through
Ban Chautari held on 3rd July, 2011 at SAP Falcha, Kathmandu where 57 participants
representing government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, forestry experts and researchers
participated. The program kicked off with a background presentation followed by panel
discussion. There were five panelists having expertise on PA management and policy,
community rights and civil society issues.
The discussion strongly posed the question on the continued expansion of PAs and its
management mechanism in Nepal‘s context. In his presentation, Mr. Dil Raj Khanal from
FECOFUNstressed on the need for consultation with the local communities and concerned
stakeholders before declaration of conservation areas and ensure their involvement and
ownership in PA management. Following were the key issues raised during the discussion:
1. The management mechanism of PAs in Nepal has been guided by the policies that were
developed ignoring the community ownership. The everyday management appeared too
centralized though the policy discourse is often dominated by decentralization. Further,
the transparency and fairness during the implementation of the policies is also
contested since it has provided more power to the government officials as the policies
are usually interpreted by the PA officials. In this context most of the participants
demanded amendment of National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 in order
to ensure the community involvement on the management of PAs and to promote the
cooperation among the actors for better implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
conservation activities.
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2. The existing laws, regulations and institutions haven‘t adequately respected, and
recognized the local knowledge and resource conservation initiatives. Consequently,
current state led conservation interventions have multiple negative impacts on the
traditional livelihoods of indigenous people and local communities. Hence, the policy
amendment is further needed in order to ensure, recognize and respect the customary
rights of local communities and indigenous peoples.
3. The government has declared new protected areas without adequate consultation with
the local and indigenous people and let alone their rights to free-prior informed consent
(FPIC). As the government has handed over the management authority to NTNC, local
people may not be able to claim their legitimate rights due to thin accountability system
attached to NTNC as against government authority.
4. The management modality in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and
Kanchanjungha Conservation Area (KCA) has somehow recognized the community
involvement on conservation and management activities. However, the governing
modality along with the benefit sharing in ACA has at times been questioned for its
poor transparency. As NTNC is trying to adopt a similar approach in GCA, local
communities and stakeholders have some reservation and therefore are demanding for
a more democratic management modality. Currently, a new modality of PA
governance has been under negotiation which is expected to draw the lessons from
ACA and KCA.
The discussion brought differing views between the government authority and stakeholders
about the prevailing management and governing mechanism of the PAs. Most participant
discussion appreciated the role of local communities including the indigenous people on the
conservation activities. They further realized the need of genuine and honest political efforts
and initiatives in order to address the fundamental issues of local communities rather than
development of technical and instrumental incentive structures. In addition, they agreed on the
need of reframing legal and regulatory framework in order to ensure community ownership on
the conservation.
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2. Poverty Reduction through Forestry: Exploring Strategies to
Realize Economic Benefits of Timber Management in Nepal
(July 7th, 2011, SAP Falcha)
Timber management has received only a secondary importance in Nepal‘s national forest policy
discourse in recent decades, despite its significant share in forest based economy and its
centrality in everyday management decisions. There is a visible discrepancy between discourses
and everyday practices in forest management. Most of the policy debates take place around
non-timber forest products and recently on environmental services including carbon but very
little emphasis has been given on timber. Contrary to the national policy discourses, several
policy decisions including government orders and circulars have been geared towards regulating
timber extraction in last two decades. Such type of dominations of timber in practice has been
attributed to the benefits that government and associated actors derive out of timber.
Consequently, little attention has been given on productive management of the forests and
maximizing benefits from the timber to the country. This situation sparked the forest sector
stakeholders to engage in a constructive dialogue on prospects and challenges of productive
forest management focusing on timber commercialization in Nepal. Such dialogues could be
informed through diagnostic analysis of policy and practical level hurdles of productive forest
and timber trade in Nepal.
The realization of scrupulous discussion on the above mentioned issues was materialized
through Ban Chautari held on 7th July, 2011 at SAP Falcha, Kathmandu where 48 participants
representing a wide range of expertise from government agencies, civil society organizations,
professional associations, entrepreneurs, researchers, journalists, activists and donors. The
program kicked off with background presentation by Mr. Harisharan Luitel (from
RECOFTC/ForestAction) followed by moderated panel discussion. There were four panelists
including forest management and policy experts, timber entrepreneurs and FECOFUN.
Mr. Harisharan Luintel through his presentation highlighted the importance of timber in the
national economy. Timber used to contribute one third of the total revenue till the 1960s. It
was increased by more than 165 fold during the third five year plan (1965-1970) with 9 crore
and 33 lakhs (US $ 1.31 million). Even recently (FY 2008/09) 90% of the total revenue from
the forestry sector comes from timber. Similarly, a significant number of employments have
been created because of timber based enterprise development in Nepal. Based on this analysis,
he argued that timber has huge potentiality to contribute in national economy. On the other
hand, the various forms of policies such as the guidelines, circulations and directives have been
made mainly on the periphery of timber. In addition, the political authorities, media and
forestry bureaucrats have been highlighting the issues of timber and hence recognizing it as a
lucrative sector even within the forestry sector. However, less emphasis has been given on the
timber management in the discourse of forest management for its sustainable use. Hence, he
argued that timber should be the major agenda of national forest governance. Following were
the major issues discussed in the event:
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Timber has huge significance in national economy through its contribution on revenue,
employment and poverty reduction. However, it has been kept in margin of national
policy discourses compared to non-timber forest products and ecosystem services.
Timber has become elite commodity and has been kept in the grip of forest officials,
contractors and local elites which has distorted the market.
Misuse of authority and corruption is rampant in timber business. Interestingly,
government formed three different high-level commissions for investigation of abuse
of authority and corruption on timber in 2010. Based on that, the government imposed
ban on harvesting and trade of timber for a year which was uplifted in June 2011.
Consequently price of timber in market increased by 3.5 folds in a single year.
The forestry sector as a whole has been wrangling on timber; however very low
investment has been made in the timber sector (from both government and donors).
This has undermined the potentiality of timber to contribute in national economy and
poverty reduction. Timber market in Nepal is distorted and we are importing timber
which has resulted in capital flight.
The media has also seemed to be irresponsible in terms of reporting on deforestation
and corruption issues. The media has failed to convince the general public that the
timber is renewable resource and can be productively managed for earning revenue.
Rather, it has created the discourses that cutting trees is illegal and is associated with
corruption. This has forced the government to make decisions like ban on timber
harvesting for about a year.
Timber management in Nepal has been kept on very low priority. On the other hand,
the condition of forest management in the government managed forest is even worse
since the government has always kept them busy on administrative works and they were
used as an instructor for tree felling, timber trading and raising revenue.
The discussion has acknowledged the potentiality of timber to contribute on the
national economy and timber trade is associated with irregularities and corruption.
There is a nexus of forest officials, local elites and contractors involved in such
irregularities.
Based on the discussion, the participants called for further dialogue and work together for
harnessing economic potentiality of timber through productive forest management that
could contribute on reducing poverty of the country.
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3. Scientific Forest Management: Opportunities and Challenges
(19thJuly, 2011)
About 39.6 percent of the total area of Nepal is covered with forest out of which about 51.1
percent is considered as reachable, having huge potentiality of productive management and
economic return. However, irrespective of management regime, Nepal's forest lacks scientific
management. Government has been putting very negligible investment on sustainable forest
management in Nepal. As a consequence, huge benefits including contribution on national
economy, employment generation and supporting to reduce poverty has been forgone. In this
context, the professionals, researchers and other stakeholders working in the forestry sector
have been calling for immediate action on scientific and productive forest management. For
this, stakeholders sought strong need of multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, informed with
current state of the arts of policy and practical gaps and hurdles.
The demand for policy dialogue on sustainable forest management for harnessing economic
potentialities has been materialized through Ban Chautari held on 19th July, 2011 at
Babarmahal, Kathmandu where 54 participants representing a wide range of forestry
stakeholders including government agency, CSOs, donors, researchers and forest
entrepreneurs. The program started with background presentation followed by panel
discussions. There were four panelists having expertise and involved in sustainable and
scientific forest management and policy process and research.
The discussion led to an agreement that the current forest management practice in Nepal is not
scientific. The principal reason behind this has been the low investments from government on
productive management and implementation of silviculture practices. Vijaya Subedi in his
presentation further argued that all forest management regimes including community forest
lack proper practice of silvicultural system and practices. He argued that the annual yield of
Nepal‘s forest is 3.1975 million cubic meter even in the slight growth scenario. It is possible to
harvest the yield of 2.6 million cubic meter timber per year even after excluding the forests of
fragile Siwalik region in the same scenario which will generate revenue of about 29 billion, 242
million 500 thousands and five hundred Nepalese rupees (US $ 38, 990,000) and may provide
employment to 41,000-82,000 people per year during the harvesting and logging period. Hence,
there is always a high economic potentiality through forest sector in the country if scientific
forest management practice is to be adopted in Nepal‘s. Unfortunately, it has not been
practiced and as consequence forest deterioration, market distortion and shortage on the supply
of timber, resource damage and transfer of land to other uses and deviation of issues from
forestry into social issues prevail and finally we have been losing about NRs. 28 billion of
revenue per year. The following were the key issues discussed in the Chautari.
The forest sector's contribution on national economy will be incomplete if we do not
include the environmental services.
25
We lack credible data on forest sector contribution to the nations GDP. It is considered
very low because we could not commercially exploit the valuable forest. This is basically
due to failure of the policy which has never emphasized on sustainable forest
management for commercial benefit. We need policy reform that prioritizes on
sustainable forest management and commercial exploitation.
There is an immense opportunity for scientific forest management but requires huge
investment. Currently, government of Nepal has been investing only Rs. 25 per
hectare/year which is not adequate to achieve the anticipated benefits.
Problem is not limited to lack of policy for scientific forest management. Much could
be done even within the existing policies. Bureaucrats generally blame for the weak
political will for not implementing the productive forest management. Whereas the
stakeholders blame the bureaucrats for not taking risk of productive forest
management. After all the situation of lawlessness is widespread and the governance is
weak in forest sector which has been hindering the pace of scientific forest
management practices in Nepal.
The private sector is being ready to invest in the forest sector if policy is designed to
make it productive. People‘s right in forest should be secured. In fact, there is no
alternate to scientific forest management if current demand of timber (around 20
million cubic feet) is to be fulfilled. So, all the forest technicians, politicians, bureaucrats
and other stakeholders have to be ready to embrace scientific forest management in
order to develop more appropriate and conducive forest policy in Nepal.
Over all, the participants of the discussion agreed that because of not adopting scientific
and productive forest management, Nepal has forgone huge benefits that could be gained
from forest. This is principally due to protection oriented mind-set of the conservative
forest officials and lack of political will. The dialogue called on immediate action for
implementing scientific forest management in all forest regimes.
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4. Forest Enterprise: Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of
Nepal
(1st August, 2011)
The paradigm of Nepalese forest management has been gradually shifting from conservation to
its commercialization. Many community forest user groups (CFUGs) are organizing and
operating forest based enterprises using forest resources generated in the CF. Similarly,
stakeholders including the government of Nepal is supporting in this process by developing
capacities and providing resources. However the policy environment in forest sector is not
supportive for the community managed small scale forest enterprises. There are many policy
and practical hurdles in every value chain of small scale forest enterprise from raw material
collection till selling of the finished products. This has affected the potential benefit that forest
sector could provide in national economy and employment generation.
In this context, a policy debate among key actors in forest sector could be beneficial to inform
the stakeholders about policy and practical hurdles that community based small enterprises
have been facing. This gap has been filled up by Ban Chautari held on 1st August, 2011 at SAP
Falcha, Kathmandu, where 62 participants representing a wide range of expertise including
government agency, CSOs, donors, researchers and forest entrepreneurs. It started with
background presentation followed by panel discussions. There were five panelists representing
entrepreneurs, development organization, FECOFUN and policy expertise. In his presentation,
Mr. Dil Raj Khanal from FECOFUN highlighted on key policy and practical hurdles for the
community based forest enterprises in Nepal. He argued that Nepal's enterprise related policies
are not favorable for small scale enterprises. He further claimed that all those hurdles have
mainly been related to the legal recognition of forest based micro-enterprises, raw material
collection and transportation, land tenure, processing and production, obligation on the
environmental impact criteria, economic and financial access, double taxation system, and the
transportation of the products. Furthermore, it discourages the people to invest on forest
based enterprise development and hence losing the potentiality of employment generation
along with the revenue raising to the nation through value addition of the raw materials.
Similarly, forest based micro-enterprises couldn‘t compete in the market with other similar
products since we are still practicing a centralized, autocratic and protection oriented legal
norms. So, Mr. Khanal, stressed on need for more democratic, deliberative, and consultative
policies related to the forest based enterprise development in Nepal ensuring the
decentralization of authority, right, responsibility and accountability in the local communities.
Following were the major issues discussed at Ban Chautari:
Because of policy constraints, private sector is not encouraged to invest in forest based
enterprises. Even if they invest, it is very hard to sustain the business due to number of
factors like bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, un-sustainable harvesting of the raw
materials and so on.
Excessive control of government over supply of raw materials and policy and
administrative hurdles has distorted the market of forest products. For example, the
27
ban on harvesting and marketing of forest products increased the timber price by 3 fold
in one year.
CFUGs have forest resources which could be used as raw materials but lack technical
capacity and capital investment for enterprise establishment. The private sector could
join hands with CFUGs in this case. There is a need for partnership between the
community and private sector.
The existing policies and legal framework are not suitable for community managed
small scale forest enterprises. Too many legal procedures that communities cannot
meet them to establish the enterprise is a serious issue. The policy requirements
discourage the participation of poor and landless people in enterprise development. For
example, registering enterprise need land entitlement certificate.
Most of the forest based enterprises use traditional knowledge and technologies which
cannot compete with the market. There is need of technology development and
transfer to improve the competitiveness of local products.
Over all, the discussion pointed out the policy and practical hurdles for community based
forest enterprise development and suggested ways forward. Moreover, the participants agreed
to develop more deliberative and democratic policy process to support forest based enterprises.
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5. Revisiting Protected Area Buffer Zones: Exploring Legal and
Institutional Reforms in Buffer Zone Management
(20th-21st October, 201)
Buffer zone management program (BZMP) is the flagship intervention in Nepal‘s long history
of participatory conservation. The BZMP adopts a unique approach to combine conservation
with local livelihoods under a broadly conceived ‗sustainable development‘ framework. Policy
makers, conservation agencies and professionals have appreciated the BZMP as a major
paradigm shift away from conventional conservation approaches. The BZMP is being
implemented in about a dozen of protected areas (PAs) covering 83 VDCs in 27 districts.
Almost one million people are involved through diverse types of local institutions – from forest
management to development activities. These buffer zone (BZ) institutions are the foundation
of BZMP that shape the park-people relations and ensure government policies and programs
are implemented. However, no comprehensive attempts have been made to reflect, learn and
improve the program even after one and half decades of implementation. During this period
many of the original thoughts and strategies have been revised, improved and new strategies
have been adopted in practice. Many of the current policy and institutional arrangements are
being questioned in the new political and socio-economic contexts. While many areas of park-
people conflicts have been addressed, new forms of conflicts and contestations have emerged
requiring a substantial change founded in fresh knowledge base.
A collective wish of all concerned stakeholders was materialized through Ban Chautari held on
20th to 21st October, 2011 at SAP Falcha, Kathmandu where 49 participants representing a
wide range of forestry stakeholders including government agency, CSOs, local communities,
researchers and rights activists. However, the discussion was organized for two working days
hoping to unfold more issues of buffer zone management from community level to policy
level. It started with a background presentation followed by a panel discussion. There were two
panel discussions. The panelists having expertise and experiences on BZ management, policy
process and community issues were selected in order to represent the perspective of buffer
zone management.
The participants recognized the importance of biodiversity conservation through PA
management in Nepal. However, the discussions concluded that there are numbers of issues in
BZ including policy, community involvement and ownership, benefit sharing, livelihood, and
identity of the indigenous people. The discussion strongly recommended reformulating the PA
Act 1973 in order to ensure the community rights within conservation activities in BZ.
Following were the major issues raised in the discussion:
The areas with high impacts were identified as BZs where locally formed institutions
manage natural resources and receive a share of park revenue for financing community
development projects. BZ community forests, tree plantation, energy saving
technologies, livelihood support programs, saving and credit programs, compensation
programs, and initiatives for compensation against wildlife depredation have been
implemented in BZ areas.
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Local communities and line agencies are not adequately aware of the purpose of BZ
and their roles in BZMP. As a result, the investment in BZMP is narrowly focused on
infrastructure development and not on the conflict reduction and compensation.
The leaders of BZ management committees lack adequate capacity in decision making
and program implementation. They need trainings on leadership skills and management
effectiveness. In some cases, the BZ institutions are too politicized as they are usually
elected with the support of particular political party based on their affiliation.
The DNPWC has experienced limited human and financial resources. There is no
separate section/division within the DNPWC to look after the BZ. Hence, the BZMP
has not received adequate attention of the authorities that it deserves.
The livelihood of the local communities in BZ is highly affected since their access on
the natural resources is restricted. Similarly, the compensation of crop damage and even
the human casualty by wild life is very nominal and time consuming. On the other
hand, the means of livelihood of the indigenous people, for instance- fishing culture of
Bote and Majhi community- is in stake in BZ.
The local communities have constantly raised the issue of their right on resource
conservation, management and utilization along with their autonomy on decision
making in BZ area. The decentralization of power to the community could be ensured
only by reformulation of NPWC Act 1973.
Mainly the issue of centralized and bureaucratic governance system in the BZ by the
government authority was highlighted during the discussion. The participants agreed that the
BZ institutions don‘t have the autonomy in order to develop and exercise their own rules for
sustainable resource management. The discussion strongly demanded and agreed to reform the
existing policy specially the NPWC Act 1993 in order to ensure a decentralized management
modality.
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6. Nepal’s Green Forest: Green Economy or Black Money?
(24th
November, 2011)
Forests of Nepal render important ecosystem services to the rural communities provide
employment opportunities as well as contribute to national economy. The forest-based
enterprises in particular provide opportunity for income and employment for the poor, forest-
dependent people– an economic incentive for sustainable management of forest.
Unfortunately, deforestation and forest degradation is on the rise. Nepal‘s forest sector has
been regarded as a ―crime zone‖ as actors from local community level to national level are
involved in diverse crimes ranging from illegal logging and smuggling of high value NTFPs to
poaching. Historically ‗Green Forest Nepal‘s Wealth‘ (Hariyo Ban Nepal ko Dhan) was the
motto. Unfortunately, due to poor governance and rampant corruption the green forests are
the locus of black economy (Kalo Dhan).
In this context, intensive discussion was demanded in order to identify the key factors of
irregularities in forestry sector and to develop a common understanding among the
stakeholders about the best options for restructuring it. Hence, this event was organized aiming
to acknowledge the current contribution of forest on national economy, identify the key
challenges and opportunities for green economy and forest governance, and to enhance
stakeholder understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities to address the issues of
irregularities including corruption in forestry sector of Nepal.
The program kicked off with a background presentation followed by panel discussion.
Through his presentation, Mr. Ghanashyam Pandey argued that forests have huge potentiality
of supporting the local livelihood improvement since more than 70% rural communities
depend on it directly and indirectly. Forest can support on three major aspects- poverty
reduction, rural development and environment management in Nepal. He further argued that
the concept of ―green economy‖ would provide the space for all the stakeholders to come
together in order to economize the natural resource management including forest for which its
commercial use is necessary. Following were the major issues raised by the participants in the
discussion:
Different regimes of forest management especially in Terai have been experimented
with the support of government, donors and I/NGOs. However, no promising
recommendation has been made.
Forest based enterprise, as a part of green economy, has potentiality in generating rural
employment. Unfortunately, because of the unsustainable management practices, raw
material availability is gradually decreasing which is mainly due to lack of community
awareness and ineffective monitoring mechanism of the government.
Because of the bureaucratic hegemony, both financial corruption and irregularities on
the policy formulation is increasing. With applying the principle of ―bad news is good
news‖, Media have been covering the news of forestry sector with priority. It indicates
that there are many irregularities in the forestry sector. The news in the media about the
31
financial demand during the deputation of DFOs especially in the Terai districts further
indicates the heavy corruption.
Forestry sector is also recognized as the labor intensive sector since it demands heavy
labor work. It is basically because of lack of appropriate technology and hence the
production cost is hiking.
The more centralized forest governance directly affects the community ownership on
the forest conservation and management. So, transparent institutional mechanism has
to be developed not only in the government sector but also within I/NGOs, donors
and other CSOs.
The concept of green economy doesn‘t limit the forest resource but also other natural
resources. So, the sustainable management of all natural resources is the most
important to get optimum benefit from the concept of green economy.
Though the discussion mainly focused on the prevailing irregularities in the forestry sector, all
participant further pointed out the need of sustainable natural resource management in order to
materialize the concept of green economy in Nepal acknowledging the huge potentiality of it
on the national economic development.
32
7. Terai Forest Management: Issues, Opportunities and Options
(4th December, 2011)
Nepal's Terai consists of highly productive and valuable tropical forests. However, such
valuable forest has been gradually disappearing since past few decades since the government
policies and plans failed to protect and manage it. Most of the forest areas are kept under
government‘s control and few have been handed over to the local communities. Moreover,
there is a situation of institutional vacuum in the government controlled areas and thus
condition of forest is deteriorating. Besides, the policy failure has caused massive
encroachment, illegal logging and corruption in this sector. Unlike in the Hills, community
forests is blamed to be a failure in Terai and contested for not including the distant users and
inability to demonstrate equitable resource distribution. With this logic, government is showing
reluctance to hand over more CF in Terai and has introduced collaborative forest management
(CBF) with financial support from few donors. Now the stakeholders including politicians are
divided principally in between two forest regimes in Terai.
Because of policy confusions and contestations, scientific forest management has been put in
shadow, despite huge potentiality of Terai forest for its contribution in the national economy
and employment. Not only the government controlled forests but also the community
managed ones lack scientific management practices, which has affected both meeting the
market demand of timber and immense economic opportunities. Such alarming situation drew
attention of forest sector stakeholders in Nepal and they have felt the need for a rigorous
policy dialogue to develop a common understanding on the issues of Terai forest management
and figure out policy and practical options.
This process has been materialized by organizing the Ban Chautari in 4 December 2011 at Sap
Falcha, Kathmandu. Around 50 participants show their participation for the event,
representing government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector and politicians.
The program started with a background presentation followed by a panel discussion. There
were five panelists having expertise in Terai forest management representing political, civil
society, government and donor perspectives. This note summarizes the main message of this
Ban Chautari.
The discussion in Ban Chautari focused on three key aspects―opportunities, issues and options
of Terai forest management. The participants have unanimously agreed that Terai forest has
huge potentiality in terms of meeting timber demand, contributing to the GDP and offering
employment opportunities. In his background presentation, Mr. Vijaya Subedi argued that it is
possible to extract about 60-120 million ton of Timber per year from the Terai forests.
However, due to lack of scientific management, we have been missing such opportunity.
Consequently, we have been facing shortage of timber in market which caused unexpectedly
high market price of timber. The discussion has identified the following key issues of Terai
forest management.
Policy confusions and central government's excessive control have created uncertainties
in timber supply. This has distorted the timber market and increased market price of
timber.
33
Government policy has failed to manage the Terai forest. Government's contradictory
policies on resettlement and land distribution in forest have caused massive
encroachment, illegal logging and rampant corruption in Terai. The community
forestry program which has become very successful in the Hills has become contested
in Terai. It has been blamed that CF in Terai has excluded the distant users (those who
are far from the forest areas) and could not ensure equitable distribution of resources.
In recent years, political influence has also been affecting forest governance in Terai.
Instead of providing a long-term visions for forest management, politicians have been
involved in illegal logging and corruption. Moreover, there is increasing trend of
providing political protection to criminal activities.
The contradictory policies and political protection has also contributed to forest
encroachment and illegal settlements in Terai. Political parties have taken the landless
people and forest encroachers as the 'vote bank'.
Overall forest governance in Terai has become worse in recent years. High level
commissions formed to investigate illegal logging and corruption in Terai have found
that nexus of forest officials, politicians and local elites is responsible for such
activities.
Another important issue of Terai forest management is unclear forest tenure.
Government's contradictory policies and bureaucratic interest has fueled the conflict
between CF and collaborative forest.
Amidst such issues, the dialogue has also pointed out some signal of hopes that we can tackle
the issues and devise institutional options for Terai forest management that can ensure both
scientific management and equitable distribution of resources. Though, there were
contradictory views about the possible options, a common understanding of the dialogue was
that there is no alternative to peoples' participation for the management of Terai forest.
However, experts and stakeholders have different opinions for the balance of power between
local communities and government. Some argued for fully decentralized forest governance with
full autonomy of local communities to manage and use forest resources as in CF while others
advocated for government controlled management with people‘s involvement like in CFM.
34
8. Chure Conservation in Nepal: Role of Local Communities and
Challenges
(11th December, 2011)
Chure is regarded as the youngest hills in Nepal and hence more fragile in terms of its ongoing
geological formation. It incorporates 26 districts and accounts to about 13 percent of total area
of the country. Around 17 million people inhabit the Chure area among which 80 percent are
from marginalized communities who migrated from the mid-hills and Terai few years ago.
About 70 percent area of the Chure is covered by forest which is the main source of timber,
NTFPs and repository of biodiversity. In addition, it is the main source of water for the
downstream in Terai. Though Chure is significant in terms of resources, over exploitation of
timber, fire wood, NTFPs, heavy grazing, forest fire and more importantly heavy extraction of
gravels, boulders and sand has severely affected the natural regeneration capacity of its
ecosystem.At the mean time, Nepal government has been implementing the Rastrapati
(Presidential) Chure Conservation Program (RCCP) since 2010 as an initiative to stop the
activities that have direct impact on the ecosystem and conserve the Chure region. However,
this step has been a matter of contestation since it is argued by several activists and community
organizations that this program will curtail the rights of the communities who have been
conserving the forest for a long period and simply violates the provisions on community rights
stated in the Forest Act 1993
The requirement of painstaking discussion on the aforesaid issues was materialized through
Ban Chautari held on 11th December, 2011 at Sidhhartha Food Land, Kathmandu where about
50 participants representing government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, forestry experts
and researchers had participated. This event was organized aiming to develop common
understanding among the stakeholders about the best options for Chure conservation ensuring
the local community involvement along with acknowledging its geopolitical, biological and
socio-economical importance. This synthesis note summarizes the foremost message of this
Ban Chautari.
In his presentation, Mr. Dil Raj Khanal highlighted the socio-economic importance of Chure
and argued that most of the indigenous people residing in Chure have their own tradition,
norms and value. He further argued that the local communities have been conserving the
Chure forest through community forestry program. However, their role is undermined by the
RCCP which was endorsed by the cabinet decision made in 27th Baisakha, 2067 B.S. Following
were the major issues raised during the discussion:
Chure is fragile in terms of geology, biodiversity, culturally and socio-economically
since the dependency of local communities on the natural resource is high. As it is said
that ―ecological marginality relates with social marginality‖, marginal people are residing
35
in marginal land of Chure because of which it is also on the shadow of development
programs of the state. This has a direct impact on peoples‘ livelihood and natural
disasters have even exacerbated the problem.
After Terai, the timber mafias have been carrying out their illegal activities in Chure
forest since it consists of high value timber. This has been one of the major causes of
deforestation and forest degradation in Chure. In addition, political as well as
bureaucratic hegemony on the governance of natural resource in Chure has further
aggravated the problem.
With claiming more government intervention on Chure conservation, government has
implemented RCCP without prior consultation and consent of the community people
and the other stakeholders.
Various researches indicate that greenery in Chure is increasing which has a positive
impact on erosion control and minimization of other natural disasters. On the other
hand, the harvesting of timber from CFs in Chure is banned on the basis of circulation
made by the DoF describing zero annual allowable harvest (Zero AAH). It seems that
the government is ―blaming the victims‖ which may finally discourage the community
people to conserve the chure forest
Urgency of Chure conservation is interlinked with the identity of the people residing
there. The local people have a significant contribution in the conservation since they are
deprived of alternative habitat to the area. The geological fragility of Chure, diverse
biodiversity and resource dependency of the local communities demands different
technology and forest management practices. Though the discussion couldn‘t draw the
clarity on who should initiate the process to address these issues, nevertheless, three
major aspects-implementation of forestry science, main streaming of the politics and
the people centric policies- have been suggested as the major option for effective
conservation of Chure in Nepal.
36
Annex 3: Detail description of communication and outreach activities
Booklet (in Nepali)
SN Title of Booklet Authors Publisher Key message (in English)
1 Ban Ra Garibi: Nepal
ma kath Bebasthapan
ko aarthik
sambhawana ra
chunautiharu (Forest
and Poverty:
Economic potentiality
of timber management
and challenges in
Nepal)
Mani Ram Banjade,
Naya Sharma Paudel,
Rahul Karki, Ramesh
Sunam and Bijaya Raj
Paudel (English
edition)
Bidya Nath Jha, Dipak
BK and Rajesh Bista
(Translated and edited
in Nepali)
ForestAction Timber management has received only a secondary importance in Nepal‘s national forest
policy discourse in recent decades, despite its significant share in forest based economy and its
centrality in everyday management decisions. In addition, the government orders and circulars
have been geared towards regulating timber extraction in last two decades and the political
interest on timber is further. Moreover, the issue of timber has been the central subject of
state-community contestations and the timber income has been in the major interests of the
government, officials, CFUGs and its leaders. In contrary, the national policies and plans have
not been focusing on the timber management in order to boom its potentiality on national
economy and so as to reduce the poverty in Nepal. So, the timber management issue has to be
in national priority in order to cash its economic potentiality.
2 Gauri Shankar
Samrakchhen
Chhetrama Jana
Adhikar ka Lagi
Nagarik Abhiyan
Bhola Khatiwoda,
Dipak BK and Thakur
Bhandari
FECOFUN The government of Nepal declared Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA) as a new
conservation area from the cabinet meeting held in Mount Everest Base Camp, Kalapathhar
in December 4, 2009. In fact, the roles of local communities are not clear since it was declared
without proper consultation with them and other stakeholders. The government on the other
hand decided to grant the management authority of GCA to a national level NGO called
National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). This led to series of protest events and
further empowered the local communities to support them, which resulted in the
development of new GCA Management Guideline ensuring active role of local communities
on conservation which is yet to be approved.
3 Nepal ko Hariyo Ban
Harit Artha tantra ki
Kalo Dhan? (Green
Forest of Nepal:
Ghanashyam Pandey Asmita Nepal The local livelihood of Nepal is directly dependent on the forest. However, the centralized
policy process and techno-bureaucratic hegemony have been limiting the access of local
communities on the forest resources. On the other hand, irregularities and corruption in the
forestry sector in Nepal have been increasing because of weak governance system. So,
37
Green Economy or a
Black Money?)
restructuring of the forest policies ensuring the optimum right of local communities on forest
conservation, management and utilization is necessary in order to get maximum benefit from
it.
4 Terai Forest
Management: Issues,
Opportunities and
Challenges
Jagannath Joshi,
Deveshmani Tripathi
and Kumud Shrestha
NFA Terai forest is regarded as the most reachable, productive and valuable forest in Nepal. Hence,
it has high economic potentiality to contribute on the national economy along with the
livelihood support to the local communities. However, the commercialization of Terai forest
is yet practiced with scientific forest management approach though various management
regimes have been implementing. Instead, the deforestation rate is increasing, the best and
potential tresses have been harvesting and the less valuable stands have been left because of
which the growing stock of the forest is decreasing. Hence, scientific forest management in
Terai is necessary in order to receive the maximum economic benefit from it so as to support
on the national livelihood.
Newspaper feature articles:
SN Title of
Article
Published media
and Date Author
Responsible
organization Key message in English
1 Samudaya Jage
Pachhi
Annapurna
Post/Jun 8, 2011
Krishna
Murari
Bhandari
ForestAction Nepal government has declared some new protected areas in Nepal with the decision made
by the cabinet meeting held at Kalapathhar in 2009 among which Gaurishankar Conservation
Area (GCA) is one. Further, the government has granted the management authority of it to a
national NGO called National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) which is also
managing Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). As a backlash, the local communities, forest
users and concerned stakeholders jointly protested it demanding the community involvement
and ownership on the management of GCA. As a consequence, the NTNC agreed to manage
it in collaboration with the local communities and a new GCA management guideline in
consultation with various stakeholders including local communities has already been finalized
and is forwarded to MoFSC to send to cabinet for its approval.
2 Ghar Uthaune Annapurna Krishna ForestAction The issue of timber management is yet intensively discussed though it has high economic
38
Kath Post/27th July,
2011
Murari
Bhandari
potentiality in Nepal. It is because the timber is regarded as valuable forest product which has
made the forestry sector lucrative . So, the government frequently changes the policies
focusing on the timber through various guidelines, directives and circulation which causes the
contestation between the government and the other stakeholders. In addition, rampant
corruption and weak governance has perverted the forestry sector of Nepal.
3 Gaurabmaya
Project
Hawadari
Sanchalan
Annapurna
Post/November
16, 2011
Krishna
Murari
Bhandari
FECOFUN Chure area is geographically, culturally, environmentally and socio-economically significant in
Nepal. In consideration to this Rastrapati (Presidential) Chure Conservation program has
been implemented since 2010 in order to conserve the Chure. However, it has restricted the
local communities‘ access on the natural resources which has further affectedtheir livelihood.
So, Rastrapati Chure conservation program is in fact being ineffective in implementation and
practice though it was designed with the very good will to conserve Chure.
4 Terai Sake,
Bhabar Sake,
Palo Chure ko
Annapurna
Post/December
21, 2011
Krishna
Murari
Bhandari
FECOFUN Terai forest is regarded as more productive and valuable forest in Nepal. However, it is being
deforested gradually mainly due to increasing forest corruption from local level to policy
level, techno-bureaucratic hegemony, and increasing political cover to forestry criminals.
Hence, it is gradually shifting from Terai to Bhawar and finally to Chure. Since, Chure is an
important area in terms of environment, socio-economy and geography,it is necessary to
protect Chure from degradation and deforestation.
5 Kath
Karmachariko
Kandai Kanda
Annapurna Post Pitamber
Sigdel
Asmita The rate of deforestation especially in the Terai forest is increasing. The involvement of
government officials in deforestation and timber smuggling activities have been covered by
the media as well. Evidences show that they have been involved on illegal felling and are
getting some money as return. Hence, corruption is the main reason behind the rampant
deforestation in Terai.
6 Palo Aba Harit
Arthatantrako
Annapurna
Post/October 10,
2011
Pitamber
Sigdel
Asmita Nepal is rich in natural resources and bio-diversity. However, its commercialization and
sustainable management is yet practiced since Nepal is still focusing on the protection. On
the other hand, the Nepalese livelihood is directly dependent on the natural resources and
hence its sustainable management is necessary. Natural resources including forest based
enterprise development in Nepal may generate a huge number of employment and hence can
support to the national economy and reduce poverty in addition to promoting conservation
39
through renewable resources based enterprise.
7 Sankat ma
Sagarnath Ban
Naya Patrika/
December 7, 2011
Pramod
Tandan
NFA Aiming to fulfill the demand of fuel wood, Saganath Forestry Project was initiated by
planting the Eucalyptus spp. All the natural forest was clear cut and then scientific forest
management system was practiced by reforestation. This project generated employment to
the local people as well. However, it has been gradually changing to the natural unmanaged
forest because of both human resource and financial constraints. The project management
has been seeking for potential donors and partners in order to sustain this project as well as
maintain scientific forest management.
8 Ban Bata
Barsik 39 Arba
rupaiyan
Aamdani Hune
Naya Patrika/
December 17,
2011
Pramod
Tandan
NFA Out of the total forest area of Nepal, about 51% is regarded as reachable forest. Nepal
government has been receiving about seven hundred million rupees revenue annually.
However, there is high potentiality to maximize this benefit if managed scientifically.
Further, it has potentiality to produce the timber more than 15 times that of the current
market demand and generate around 82 thousand employments. Hence, there is a need to
initiate scientific forest management practices in Nepal.
TV program:
SN Title of TV
program
Program title and
broadcasting media
house
Duration Broadcasted
date/s
Responsible
organization Summary message in English
1 Aankhi Jhyal Revisiting PA buffer
zones: Exploring legal
and institutional reforms
in buffer zone
management (Bibad bad
dai chha)
15 min. 29th November, 2011(Tuesday) at 5:00 pm in NTV and
29th November, 2011 (Tuesday) at 6:30 pm in Avenues TV
(Same program
ForestAction Local communities have been significantly contributing on the
natural resources and biodiversity conservation in protected area
buffer zone in Nepal. However, their ownership on it is yet ensured
by the policy. The access on the natural resources including timber,
fuel wood and water is restricted because of which the livelihood of
the local communities, indigenous people and poor is on stake in
addition to loss of lives and property by wild life damage. It is finally
leading to the conflict between the park and people. So, the local
40
was telecasted from both media houses)
people should get the access on the natural resources for their
livelihood and also the compensation which has to be ensured
through amendment of existing policy.
2 Serofero Right of local
communities in newly
declared Gauri
Shankar Conservation
Area (GCA)
15 Min May 27, 2011
(From NTV 2)
FECOFUN Nepal government declared the Gaushankar Conservation Area
(GCA) in December, 2009 without prior consultation with local
communities and the other stakeholders. On the other hand, its
management authority has been granted to NTNC. It finally
indicates that the role and contribution of local communities in the
conservation activities have been under estimated. So, their role on
the conservation has to be ensured along with their access on the
natural resources in GCA.
Serofero Community right in
Protected Areas in
Nepal
15 Min October 24,
2011 (From
NTV 2)- Part
one
Local communities have been significantly contributing on the
conservation activities in protected areas. Similarly, their livelihood
is also dependent on the natural resources within it. However, the
current policies related to protected areas are centralized that has
provided more decision power to the government officials. Hence,
restructuring of protected areas related policies ensuring the
community right on it is necessary.
Serofero Community right in
Protected Areas in
Nepal
15 Min October 31,
2011 (From
NTV 2)- Part
two
Serofero Rastrapati Chure
Conservation program
and the role of local
communities
15 Min December 5,
2011 (From
NTV 2)- Part
One
Chure area is geographically, culturally, environmentally and socio-
economically significant in Nepal. In consideration to this, Rastrapati
(Presidential) Chure Conservation program has been implemented
since 2010 in order to conserve the Chure. However, it has
restricted the local communities‘ access on the natural resources
which has further affected their livelihood. So, Rastrapati Chure
conservation program is in fact being ineffective in implementation
and practice though it was designed with the very good will to
conserve Chure.
Serofero Rastrapati Chure
Conservation program
and the role of local
communities
15 Min December
12, 2011
(From NTV
2)- Part two
41
3 Aankhi Jhyal Scientific forest
management: issues,
opportunities and
challenges
(Gare Ban Ko Baigyanic
Bebastapan, Hunchha
aamdani kamainchha
dhana)
24 minute
30 sec
December 27,
2011 (Tuesday)
at 6:30 pm in
Avenues TV
NFA Different management techniques have been practiced in Nepal in
various forest management regimes since last couple of decades.
However, most of the management regimes have been still
protection oriented rather than commercialization of forest
products. In addition, increasing irregularities in the forestry sector
and very few government investments on the forest management is
further supporting to loss the potential benefit from scientific forest
management. Scientific forest management system may provide
additional opportunity to get optimum benefit and hence is
necessary in Nepal.
4 Kathmandu
Web
Susasan Bikas Gardai
Ban Shrot Bata Garibi
Nibaran (Poverty
reduction utilizing forest
resources along with the
improvement of
governance)
16 Min October 30,
2011 (at 8:30
PM in
Sagarmatha TV)
Asmita Forest has significant contribution to sustain the rural economy. So,
the local communities have been conserving and managing it.
Community forestry program is regarded as more community
centric forest management system in Nepal. However, the issue of
optimum benefit to the poor forest users is under discussion since
the access to forest resources and benefit is still elite dominated.
Hence, the overall governance in the CFUGs has to be improved in
order to ensure maximum benefit to the poor forest users.
Serofero Ban Chautari Report
(Reporting of Ban
Chautaries)
10 Min November 28,
2011 (7:30 PM
in NTV-2)
Asmita The issue of democratic and deliberative forest policy process in
Nepal has been under discussion since it is still under centralized
management system. The discussion forum called Ban Chautari has
been initiated with the close coordination of ForestAction,
FECOFUN, NFA and Asmita in order to support on the
deliberative forest policy process in Nepal. Various policy issues
including timber management, protected areas, forest based
enterprise development, scientific forest management have been
discussed through ban Chautari with participation of diverse forestry
stakeholders. So, it has been supportive to develop common
understanding on the current forest policy issue and reframing it.
42
Radio program:
SN Title/theme of
Radio program
Radio station
and program
Broadcasted
date
Responsible
organization Summary message in English
1 Revisiting PA
buffer zones:
Exploring legal
and institutional
reforms in
buffer zone
management
Radio
Sagarmatha and
Khulla Manch
Saturday
October 22,
2011 at 12:00
Noon to 1:00
PM
ForestAction Local communities have been significantly contributing on the natural resources
and biodiversity conservation in protected area buffer zone. However, their
ownership is yet to be ensured by the policy. The access on the natural resources
including timber, fuel wood and water is restricted because of which the livelihood
of the local communities, indigenous people, and poor is on stake. It is finally
leading to the conflict between the park and people in addition to loss of lives and
property by wild life. So, the local people should get better access on natural
resources for their livelihood which has to be ensured through amendment of
existing policy.
2 Forest and
Poverty:
Economic
potentiality of
timber
management and
challenges in
Nepal
Radio
Sagarmatha and
Khulla Manch
Saturday, July
9th , 2011 at
12:00 Noon to
1:00 PM
ForestAction The issue of sustainable forest management for timber production is yet widely
discussed and the policies have yet been emphasized. Mostly the cases of
irregularities in the forestry sector have also been related with timber and media are
also highlighting this issue. On the other hand, the data shows that the more part of
the national revenue from the forestry sector is also contributing from timber. This
indicates that the timber has high potentiality to contribute on the national
economy and reduce poverty.
3 Rastrapati Chure
Conservation
program and the
role of local
communities
Radio
Sagarmatha and
Batabaran
Dabali
December 15,
2011 at 7:30 to
8: 30 AM
FECOFUN Chure area is geographically, culturally, environmentally and socio-economically
important area in Nepal. In consideration to this, Rastrapati Chure Conservation
program has been implemented since 2010 in order to conserve the Chure.
However, it has restricted the local communities‘ access on the natural resources
which has further affected their livelihood. So, Rastrapati Chure conservation
program has been ineffective in implementation and practice though it was
designed with the very good will to conserve Chure. 4 Rastrapati Chure
Conservation
program and the
Radio
Sagarmatha and
Batabaran
December 25,
2011 at 12:15
PM to 1: 15
FECOFUN
43
role of local
communities
(Open
discussion
among
representatives
of local
communities,
FECOFUN
representatives
and the
government
representatives)
Dabali PM
5 Terai ma Ban
Ko Awastha
Chintajanak
Radio Nepal December 4,
2011 at 7:30
PM to 8:30 PM
NFA Terai forest is regarded as productive and valuable forest in Nepal. Nevertheless,
government investment on the scientific forest management is very less. Similarly,
irregularities in the forestry sector including timber smuggling and political
interferences have further supported heavy deforestation. Hence, the issue has to
be addressed in collaboration with government and forestry related stakeholders
including political parties in order to get economic benefit from Terai forest.
6 Nepal Ma Ban
Ko Baigyanik
Bebasthapan
Radio Nepal January 4, 2012
at 7:30 PM to
8:30 PM
NFA Most of the rural people in Nepal are dependent on forest for their livelihood. In
addition, it has significant share of contribution on country‘s GDP. The
government decisions and policies have been mainly focusing on the timber related
issue but is still investing less in one hand and not implementing any policies for
commercialization of forest on the other. Scientific management of Nepals‘ forest
could offer more economic benefit which would support on poverty reduction of
the country and hence is necessary to practice by preparing the respective policies.
7 Forest based
enterprise
development
Makawanpur
FM and Radio
Ban Chautari
December 11,
2011 at 7:30
Asmita CFUGs have been conserving and managing the forest since last three decades in
Nepal. On the other hand, they have been investing on the forest based enterprise
within CFUGs that is supporting rural employment generation as well as resource
44
and provisions
in CF guideline
Karyakram AM- Par one utilization at the local level. So, forest based enterprise development has to be
encouraged in all CFUGs in order to maximize the benefit from forest and also to
generate the local employment. Makawanpur
FM and Radio
Ban Chautari
Karyakram
December 18,
2011 at 7:30
AM- Par two
Asmita
Proposal of
Forest Act 1993
amendment and
community
response
Makawanpur
FM and Radio
Ban Chautari
Karyakram
December 25,
2011 at 7:30
AM
Asmita Nepal government had proposed to amend the Forest Act 1993 in 2010 without
consultation with local communities and other forestry stakeholders. That was in
fact oriented to reduce the community right on forest resources and their access on
it. So, in the leadership of FECOFUN, CFUGs and other stakeholders, a series of
protest events had been organized along with the discussion with the government
officials which finally resulted in the withdrawal of the proposal. Hence,
community level empowerment is necessary in order to protect the community
right on the forest resources.
CF resource
mobilization on
community
development
Makawanpur
FM and Radio
Ban Chautari
Karyakram
January 1, 2012
at 7:30 AM
Asmita Some forest areas have been conserved and managed by the local communities as a
community managed forest in Nepal. Resources generated in CFUGs have been
utilized for livelihood improvement of local communities and community
development and hence contributing on the rural economic development. So, the
CF program has to be extended in all forest areas of Nepal.
8 Bna Chhatra ko
sawal ra Janata
ko Adhikar
(Issue in forestry
sector and
peoples‘ right)
Prakriti FM and
Ban ra
Batabaran
Karyakram
December 21,
2011 at 6:30
AM
Asmita The forest area of Nepal has been managed through different management regimes
in Nepal. Nepal government has been generating revenue from forestry sector that
is supporting the national economy. However, rampant corruption has been
defaming the forestry sector.. In addition, the forest policy process is still
centralized which does not acknowledge the community right over forest resources.
So, the policy reframing is necessary in order to ensure more benefit from forestry
sector in Nepal.