Forest Management and Utilization Under Community Forestry

This paper examines the impact of community forestry on forest resources, based on a study of 11 Forest User Groups (FUGs) in Nepal over three years. The findings confirm that the impact on forest resources has been very positive. Prior to the formation of FUGs, forest resources at almost 75% of study sites were deteriorating, and now all are improving to a greater or lesser extent. However, there is a great complexity of situations on the ground and various weaknesses in the process which need to be addressed, especially forest boundary conflicts, inequity within FUGs due to low participation of poorer households in decision-making, and the prevalence of 'passive' forest management. This paper presents the results of the project in relation to the impact of community forestry on forest resources. The first section of the paper focuses on forest composition, and describes how forest resources are managed by the FUGs. The second section discusses the needs of forest users, and the distribution of forest products within communities. The third section concludes with a summary of the policy implications of the findings. METHODS The present paper draws on the results of participatory resource mapping and resource assessments carried out in the 11 study FUGs. The ' mapping' focused on the characterization of the forest resource, including the spatial breakdown into areas (including formal blocks if the FUG had them), the condition and changes to the condition of the different areas, and the supply and distribution of different products (including who gets what, the rules which govern access and any charges this entails). This process began with a large group meeting, and was developed further through a participatory forest assessment in the forest area itself to produce a resource map. During the second phase of research a ' resource assessment' was carried out. This began with a discussion of the objectives with FUG committee members and other users, following which a schedule was prepared for the forest inventory process. • In each forest block of the FUG's community forest, conditions were stratified based on the users' knowledge and field observations (e.g. good, medium and poor condition, as appropriate). Three sample plots were then selected on a random basis to reflect the varying forest conditions present in each block. • At each sample plot a temporary square sample plot of 100 square meters was selected. • Stand (trees and shrubs) distribution was counted in each plot according to diameter categories, based on local product use patterns (e.g. biruwa (seedling; 0-1.9cm), langura (small sapling; 2-6cm ), lathra (large sapling; 7-10 cm ), ghocha/ghara (small pole; 11-16 cm ) khanwa (large pole; 17-25cm ), rukha (tree; 26-52cm ) and Chhipe ko rukh (mature tree; >52cm ).