Trends

The most publicized trend in Nepalese forestry has been the ongoing devolution of forest management responsibilities to Forest User Groups. As a result of the increasing emphasis on involving Panchayats and Forest User Groups in forest management, during the past 20 years, deforestation rates in the hills of Nepal have gradually slowed. Forest degradation, resulting from overgrazing, fuelwood collection and lopping of trees for fodder, continues to be an important problem, as does the clearing of forest land for pasture. Nonetheless, afforestation and reforestation activities in Nepal, involving government and community planting, are reversing some damage. Around 5 000 hectares of planted forests are established each year.

At present, Nepal's forests are considered less as a source of revenue and more as a development activity. The export of logs and sawn timber from Nepal has been banned since 1979. Despite estimates of potentially high export revenues from sustainable management and harvesting of forests in the Terai and Siliwaks, it is expected to be some considerable time before any trade in Nepalese wood products resumes.

Promotion of sustainable forest management

The principal incentives to promote forest management in Nepal are opportunities for communities to share in revenues from forests through participation in the Community Forest Programme. Forest User Groups may receive a cash subsidy as an incentive for plantation, development and protection. Subsidies, however, are gradually being reduced and withdrawn, to make the programme financially sustainable.

The Leasehold forestry programme has many associated incentives supporting the key components of the programme, including assistance in the development of degraded forest lands, on-farm fodder development, fuelwood trees on private land, livestock development, terrace improvement, off-farm income generating activities, supply of inputs, strengthening of technical support, training, applied research, stove programme and construction of bridges and trails.

last updated: Friday, May 13, 2005