Kathmandu: After the Ministry of Forests and Environment passed the ‘National Standards for Sustainable Management 2081,’ which is based on the concept of sustainable development, community forest users, forest rights activists, and experts in the field have welcomed the government’s decision. The decision was made to move forward with a sustainable forest management program, replacing the scientific forest management program that had been implemented since 2071 in community, partnership, and enclosed forests. In the context of ongoing discussions and debates regarding the implementation of this decision, the ministry has recently approved the Standards 2081.
Green Foundation Nepal organized an orientation program titled “Provincial Level Interaction Program on Sustainable Forest Management and Agro-Forestry Enterprise Promotion” on Monday in Kathmandu to foster a common understanding among stakeholders about implementing the new standards.
On the first day of this three-day program, participants included heads of division forest offices from Bagmati Province, district presidents of the Federation of community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), and representatives from various stakeholder organizations. The focus was on discussing the forthcoming methods and processes of forest management aligned with sustainable practices.
What Did They Say?
Bharti Pathak, a member of the Bagmati Province Parliament and former president of the Federation of community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), welcomed the new standards, stating that sustainable forest management involves practices that ensure continuous growth of the goods and services provided by forests from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. She expressed her belief that the implementation of these standards would maximize the productive capacity of forests, meeting the demands of the current generation while ensuring access to forest resources for future generations.
“Previously, forest management was often understood solely as the act of cutting down trees. However, after much struggle and discussion, these standards have emerged, clarifying that forest management encompasses processes related to herbs, timber, and tourism as well,” she added. “Since this standard also addresses the traditional beliefs and practices of indigenous and tribal communities, it is anticipated that both the Community Forest Users Federation and the indigenous tribes will benefit over the next four to five years.”
Similarly, Ghanashyam Pandey, the president of Green Foundation Nepal, noted that the previous scientific forest management approach focused solely on timber, which led to opposition against it. However, he emphasized that sustainable forest management encompasses a broader range of issues, necessitating discussions, debates, and advocacy. “This management approach includes not only agroforestry but also the traditional practices of indigenous and tribal communities, the supply of goods and services, climate change mitigation, and food security,” he stated.
Additionally, Nawaraj Pudasaini, the head of RED implementation, pointed out that earlier forest management efforts primarily focused on social, economic, and environmental aspects. He mentioned that the current national standards aim to incorporate the cultural aspects and traditional practices of indigenous tribes. “We must now bring cultural aspects to the forefront, as traditional practices are deeply linked to cultural benefits. This is a new and significant dimension that needs to be institutionalized,” he remarked. He noted a lack of emphasis on cultural benefits and traditional practices in community forest action plans and stressed the need for a separate chapter dedicated to indigenous and marginalized communities, advocating for the inclusion of forest products from all ethnicities and communities in future plans.
Emphasizing the significant role of the forest sector in the Nepalese government’s goal of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis,” he stated, “This standard highlights the need to bring prosperity through timber-based industries, not solely relying on timber production. Our 15th and 16th Five-Year Plans have also recognized timber industries as a foundation for development.” He added, “We need to expand non-timber industries beyond just herbal production, developing them in diverse and comprehensive ways.”
Pudasaini noted that the government is working to establish Nepal as a middle-income country by 2087 by reducing forest crime, involving local governments, women, and indigenous communities, and promoting nature-based tourism centered on wildlife businesses. “The standards mention the need to triple financial investment for sustainable forest management. Continuous discussions and collaborative efforts are essential in this regard,” he said. He also emphasized that this standard recognizes the importance of cooperation between local governments and consumers. Additionally, he clarified that issues such as the conservation of border areas under community forestry, safety measures for consumers, gender equality, and inclusion are also addressed. On another note, he mentioned the possibility of addressing Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement in this year’s COP, indicating that it may lead to amendments in forest regulations.
Similarly, Dr. Ganga Ram Dahal, the Nepal head of the International Tenure Facility, stated that this standard has been established to ensure the rights of indigenous communities. He remarked, “Sustainability means durability. This standard encompasses everything from the sal timber of the Terai to high-value medicinal and aromatic herbs found in the mountains.” He further emphasized, “The rights of community forest user groups, the recognition of indigenous practices and traditional knowledge related to forests, the livelihoods of families dependent on forests, forest governance, environmental conservation, economic prosperity, and socio-cultural development are all included in this standard. Now, we must focus on how to advance our forests and future action plans according to this standard.”
In his presentation, Dahal informed that the Tenure Facility (TF) is collaborating with the Federation of community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), Green Foundation Nepal, and the Center for Indigenous Peoples Research and Development (CIPRED) to ensure the rights of forest users and indigenous communities regarding natural resources and to work on related policy reforms. Since its inception in 2020, the organization has supported the establishment of local forest laws in 127 municipalities and plans to focus its efforts on these municipalities over the next three years, ensuring full compliance with the recently passed national standards.
Similarly, Dr. Swayambhu Man Amatya, a former secretary of the Nepal government, highlighted the significant role of agroforestry in the green economy and stated that the standards provide guidance in this regard. Through his presentation, he illustrated exemplary agroforestry models from Nepal and around the world, emphasizing the need for Nepal to adopt such practices. “The agroforestry system integrates agriculture, livestock, and forestry activities as a single unit of land use, combining forest species with agricultural practices to move towards economic prosperity,” he stated.
Likewise, Thakur Bhandari, the central chair of the Federation of community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), welcomed the standards, stating that sustainable management of forest resources can ensure their longevity. ” FECOFUN has always advocated for participatory policies and standards over top-down approaches. When managing forests, it is crucial to ensure environmental protection and ecological balance, promote social and cultural aspects, integrate all natural resource management, ensure the livelihoods of communities dependent on forests, and emphasize effective participation. After an objective study of these standards, the community forest will soon share its views,” he added.
Navigating Potential Issues in Community Forest Standards Implementation
During the discussions, several potential challenges related to the implementation of the standards were identified. Concerns were raised regarding whether this standard would create additional problems for users as the population density of community forests continues to decrease. On the other hand, district representatives from the Federation of Community Forest Users expressed worries about the potential merging of community forests.
Participants in the orientation program emphasized the need for further clarification regarding the documentation of traditional practices and beliefs associated with forest use. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the necessity to reconsider the diversity, types, and age groups of forests in Nepal. In-depth discussions were held on the management of wildlife and birds, the conservation of endangered species, and the sensitivities surrounding their feeding and habitats.
Moreover, participants agreed on the importance of learning from past weaknesses and failures, prioritizing public participation and community interests in Nepal’s forest management. They stressed the need for immediate engagement between the Ministry of Forests, provincial and local governments, and users to facilitate the implementation of the standards. Despite various questions and answers arising from the nature of the discussions, all expressed confidence that the implementation of the standards would enhance local community involvement in the conservation of forests and natural resources.
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