Author: Bal Bahadur Shahi
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.RD-00-11
Year: 2000
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2000
Examination Committee: Ganesh P. Shivakoti (Chairperson); Reidar Dale, Rajendra Prasad Shrestha (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: This study explores issues relating to biological viability of forest resources, socio-economic and institutional development of Forest User Groups (FUGs) for sustainable community forest management. Assessment of the productivity of forest resources, documentation of socioeconomic profile of selected FUGs, analysis of economic returns from community forests, identification of income generation activities based on forest products, and examination of institutional development of FUGs were the main objectives of the study. In this endeavor, case studies from six FUGs in two mid-hill districts of Tanahun and Kaski from western Nepal were analyzed and assessed through household survey, forest inventory, field observation and key informant interviews. The major findings of the study reveal that production of forest resources does not match the needs of users, even though the forest condition is improving after users have taken the management responsibility of community forests. There is significant difference in use of quantity of forest products before and after handing over of community forests. Though users get less after converting to community forest, the principle is based on sustained use without deteriorating resources for the future. The existing management practices carried out are not enough to improve the productivity. Although there is relative inequality in economic and social status and education level among users, no discrimination was found in participation, benefit sharing or decision making process in the community forestry program. Conditions of forests were not yet in the situation of selling products outside the groups for commercial purpose. However, FUGs were raising funds from different activities such as the sale of the products within groups, levy from membership, amount raised from penalty and grants from DF Office. These amounts were spent on community development activities. The potential of income generation activity based on small-scaled enterprises seemed high, but no FUGs were undert
Scholarship Donor(s): Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
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