fecofun

GACF is going to organize a Regional workshop in coordination with FECOFUN and RECOFTC Thai Program. The goal of this workshop is to conduct a formal gathering of federations/networks from different parts of Asian region and develop a strategic plan on strengthening networks and federations working for empowering Community based organizations. The workshop will be of total five days including three days of dialogue and two days of field visit.

Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) hereby condemns the recent declaration of the Government of Nepal to establish Banke National Park, Gaurishankar Conservation Area and Api Namba Conservation Area, without Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of local community and indigenous people residing in the areas.

The decision was taken at the Kalapatthar plateau near Everest Base Camp (5,242 meters) in the foothills of Mt Everest base camp cabinet meeting to expand conservation area and declaring.

The SmartWood Program of the Rainforest Alliance is conducting a forest management certification re-assessment of the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN). Based on the 5 year certification agreement between FECOFUN and SmartWood in 2005, this re-assessment is conducted in order to re-issue the certificate. This re-assessment is being undertaken in order to avoid the termination of the certificate due to passing of the 5 year certification validity in Feb 2010. The assessment is scheduled to take place from August 18 to September 4, 2009.

Today, I am very delighted to remember you and thank you all on the special occasion of the 14th Anniversary of FECOFUN for your strong support, cooperation and coordination for the FECOFUN and community forestry growth.

I am very much happy to say FECOFUN traveled its 14th years successfully. The FECOFUN was established in June 1st 1995. At that time, the number of community forestry users group was around four thousands. Now the community forestry users groups have reached more than fifteen thousands.

In general, the progress on CF in Terai is much slower than in hills due to the less attention of the government. Due to the policies (concept paper MoFSC, 2002, OFM, 1995) and administrative hurdle (illegal directions and circulations) of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), the Rights of Terai people over the forest resources have been deprived.