2008-2 issue of New Agriculturist has an article which reports that handing over of publicly-owned degraded forest lands to the poors is reversing environmental degradation and improving livelihoods in Nepal.

Supported by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Nepal's Government launched 'Hills Leasehold Forest and Forage Development Project' in 1992. Between 1992 and 2003, the project handed over around 8500 ha of degraded forest land to more than 13000 households and over 2000 leasehold forestry groups.

The project has demonstrated that temporary "ownership" of the forests by landless or near-landless villagers can provide the incentive for regeneration of forest. The second phase of the project - the Leasehold Forestry and Livestock Program - is already underway, addressing issues of access to veterinary services and establishing microcredit schemes.

Read more at: 'Livelihoods in Nepal - No longer an uphill struggle'. New Agriculturist.2008-2 and Nepal’s ‘poorest of the poor’ reap the benefits of innovative leasehold project, IFAD Stories from the field.