Contribution of community forestry to the livelihood of disadvantaged groups : a case study of Baglung and Kaski districts, Nepal | |
| Author | Paudel, Kedar Nath |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-03-05 |
| Subject(s) | Community forests--Nepal Economics--Nepal--Sociological aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-03-05 |
| Abstract | The study focused on the contribution of community forestry on the livelihood of DAG and was assessed of socio-economic condition of DAG), demand and supply situation of forest products, contribution of community forest in the livelihood diversification and potential of livelihood improvement from the community forest. The study was based on both qualitative and quantitative information, using tools such as household interview, field observation, forest inventory, PRA like wealth ranking, focus group discussion, records collection from FUGCs, DFOs and key informant interview. Three FUGs older than five years, having lower caste in the user, income generation activities started in the FUGs and the distance range from one to 20 kilometers from the district center were taken as cases in Baglung and Kaski districts, two midhill districts of western region of Nepal. The study was conducted during January to April, 2003. Findings of the research are aimed to help researchers, line agencies, NGOs and donor projects for further study and planning of future activities. The study finding reveal that the socio-economic factors like gender, education, land holding, livestock holding and economic status are barriers in distribution of capital assets. Though, Community forestry contributed to time saving and easiness of collection of forest products, forest protection and regeneration. The comparison of timber and fuelwood extraction with annual allowable cut indicates that under utilized the timber and over utilized in the case of fuelwood. CFs are also supporting to generate five capital assets to disadvantaged group in the relative proportion of 41.5 percent of that the rich and elite people getting in the FUGs. Forest law and FUG constitutions grant access to natural capital. CFs are providing physical capital through directly and indirectly by FUG fund and the income that is generated from sale and distribution of forest products. The poor and most disadvantaged are dependent on the CFs to have loan and IGA activities for access to financial capital. All the three FUGs have built up the social capital of the poor through representation in the FUGC and other functional groups in the village. Human capital is incorporated in indigenous knowledge and some type of skill development. Despite an equal access in the community forest, the poor uses less forest products hence, the former becomes meaningless. 'Equal access' alone, cannot ensure equity in product distribution in community forest; moreover, metric regulation is not the solution. Hence, others aspects of equity e.g., involvement in decision-making, favoring DAG from different angles and fund allocation should get due attention in the operational plan and in the practice. Other emerging challenges includes the growing level of boundary disputes with the landowner adjacent to the CF area and passive management of forest for substantial economic return to the household level. Pro-poor technical options in the forest management need to be evolved and poverty focused IGAs at both household and community level need to be implemented. There is a need for greater commitment of all stakeholders to the mainstreaming of livelihood of DAG, and to manage in the way, which generates the best possible support to the five capital assets. |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-03-05 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh Prasad;Soparth Pongquan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003 |