Alternative use of community forests

In the 1980s, deforestation was rampant at a rate of 1.3 percent. If deforestation had continued at this rate, there would have been only bare hills and settlements in the forested areas. There is no doubt that community forests have contributed to the increase in forest area and density in Nepal. The community forest program, which was started to conserve the forest with the participation of the community and help them in their livelihood, has now spread across the country. According to the latest statistics of the Forest Department, by the end of 2076 BS, 29 lakh 27 thousand 329 families of Nepal have joined 22 thousand 415 community forest groups and are active in the use and protection of 22 lakh 72 thousand 456 hectares of forest.

Community forest groups in Nepal are focused on providing forest products to their consumers in an easy way by managing forests. Most of the groups have been giving priority to the distribution of firewood and grass. Some of the large forest groups in the Terai region have earned their income by selling firewood and distributing it in community development activities. Although community forest groups have done exemplary work in forest conservation, little attention has been paid to making forests a source of community prosperity. As community forest user groups focus solely on the consumption and sale of forest produce, the potential for multi-use of forests is diminished.

In some parts of Nepal, there have been practices of multi-use and alternative use of community forests. More than a dozen forests in Nawalparasi, Palpa, and Gulmi are cultivating turmeric. Rupandehi's Kalika Community Forest is working to make briquettes from weeds in the forest. Not only has the deforestation for firewood been reduced since briquettes were made and sold, but also the local poor women have got the opportunity to increase income. This forest group has helped the locals to make a living by growing Amriso ( Broom Grass) on the banks of the river, making brooms, and distributing them for financial gain. More than a hundred forest groups in the Palpa district are making the forest a source of income by planting Amriso( Broom grass) and Cinnamon on the hillslopes.

Although many groups earn income by growing non-woody plants like grass, herbs, turmeric within the community forest, there are very few groups that make forest areas a different source of income. One of such exemplary forest groups is the Shankarnagar Community Forest in Tilottama Municipality,  Rupandehi. The group has developed the useless forest land as Van Batika (Forest park). With its regional zoos, scenic picnic spots, meditation centers, amusement parks, and nurseries, Van Batika is now a popular tourist destination in the Lumbini Province. There are more than a dozen standard restaurants and other shops surrounding Van Batika. Due to the influence of the park in the remote northern part of Tilottama Municipality, economic activity has increased and it has become a center of attraction. Following the Van Vatika, Danapur of Kanchan, Baunnkoti of Chilhiya, Tilottama Park of Anandavan, Intermediate of Nawalpur area of ​​Nawalparasi district, Parijat Community Forest of West Nawalparasi, and Siddhartha Forest Garden of Kapilvastu have started the practice of Forest tourism/ eco-tourism.         

Many people do not seem to have used community forests in any way other than bringing firewood. Although the forest can be used for many other purposes besides grass and firewood, the community forest group does not seem to be paying attention to it. As community forests are limited to grass and firewood, large groups are deprived of the benefits of forests. There are innumerable options for livelihood and community development in community forests. As forest user groups receive firewood and hay from community forests and earn income by selling firewood and hay, other options are overshadowed. At present, firewood and grass are not the only needs of the community, now the needs of the community are livelihood and sustainable economic development. These needs can be meet through alternative use of community forests

The Tenth Plan and subsequent plans focus on poverty reduction through conservation, development, and utilization of forest resources. Fourth Community Forest National Conference ( 2061 BS)  also focused on national and millennium poverty reduction through community forest management. Community Forest Development Guideline (Revised) 2071 states that community forest groups should work for the economic empowerment of indigenous, marginalized, women, and the poor by conducting livelihood programs and improving their social and economic conditions. The National Forest Policy 2075 has also taken the policy of taking advantage by expanding eco-tourism, the use of non-timber forest products, and other environmental services. The Forest Act 2076 contains a provision for alternative use of forests.

Most borderline communities are from poor families. Such families depend on forest resources for their livelihood. Traditionally managing community forests makes it difficult for the poor to make ends meet. In such a situation, their help in forest conservation cannot be obtained. To help the poor in earning income and uplifting their economic status, it is necessary to create alternative income-generating opportunities for them within the community forest. The productivity of the forest can be increased if the poor are allowed to cultivate herbs, cash crops, and other non-timber plants in the forest as per the provisions of the Forest Act, regulations, and directives. And, achievements like sustainable conservation of forests, watershed conservation, and soil conservation can be easily achieved.

The Forest Act 2076 has made arrangements to explore the potential of environmental services such as water resources, watershed, and biodiversity conservation, landscape beauty, and carbon reserves available through sustainable management of community forests and use them to advance the concept of income generation. According to Article 34 of the Forest Act( 2076), the consumer group can run the forest enterprise and tourism programs specified in the approved action plan by themselves or in partnership with the local level or association or private sector or cooperative by following the prescribed procedure. Under this arrangement, tourism infrastructure can be created in the local area by conserving and standardizing the wildlife and landscape in the community forest, rivers and lakes, and ponds within the forest.

And economic benefits can be reaped without any negative impact on forest conditions. In addition, community forests can generate income by participating in carbon trading practices. Community forest groups need to pay attention to such options.

The concept of community forest management only for firewood and greenery is now obsolete. Now is the time to manage community forests as "the wealth of the poor." Therefore, forest user groups should now look at the forest not only as a source of hay but also as a means of livelihood and economic development. . Groups should try to reduce their dependence on forest resources by using forests in alternative ways rather than earning income from selling firewood from the forest. Local governments should also coordinate with community forest groups to make forests a means of prosperity. If the path to livelihood and economic prosperity is still not found in the forest, the community forest program will soon fail and the saying "Green forest is the wealth of Nepal" will be just a saying. This needs to be addressed by forest user groups, local governments, forest ministries, and other stakeholders. Therefore, all levels of government, community forest groups, and other forest stakeholders need to pay immediate attention to alternative uses of community forests.

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