Presentations from 5th National Community Forestry Workshop

The presentations from the 5th National Community Forestry Workshop are now available online. The workshop was held from November 9-11, 2008 in Kathmandu.

The workshop was organized in 3 thematic groups - governance, economic contribution and environmental services - with 9 presentations and a keynote presentation in each group. The presentations are available at LFP website.

Keynote Presentation

Presentations on Governance

Presentations on Economic contribution

Presentations on Environment

Declaration of the Workshop

It is a proud moment for all of us to show that the relentless efforts of communities, the government and all concerned stakeholders over the past three decades have been able to achieve milestones not only in overall livelihoods improvement and the economic and social development of the people, but also in the prosperity of the entire nation through Community- Based Forest Management (CBFM) including community forestry (CF).

Giving continuity to the tradition of holding a National CF Workshop that started in 1987, whilst positively encouraging the achievements and opportunities of CF and CBFM and tackling its weaknesses and challenges at the same time, attention of the participants of Fifth National CF Workshop focused on the success of forest-based enterprises and on issues identified for transformation. By incorporating the true spirit and sentiment of the new constitution of Nepal (yet to be formulated) to transform and set new directions for the forestry sector and with a strong sense of responsibility/stewardship from all concerned stakeholders, the future strategies to be followed are made public through this declaration:

Governance

• Review/evaluate and re-examine the current Forestry Sector Master Plan 1989 which is due to end next year, and start building a new Forestry Sector Master Plan (Strategic Plan) in the changing context by addressing the true spirit and sentiment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
• Simplify the process of CF and CBFM hand-over by re-evaluating the complicated procedures of Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental Impact Assessment.
• While ensuring that the traditional rights of Forest User Groups (FUGs) are kept intact, give more priority to CBFM hand-over processes in the Terai, Chure and High Hills.
• Strictly follow the necessary steps/process as set forward in guidelines for handing-over of CF and CBFM, especially in the identification and formation of FUGs, and for preparation and revision of the FUG Constitution and Operational Plan.
• Coordinate all the activities relating to sustainable forestry sector development and management including CBFM by establishing inclusive multi-stakeholder forums/platforms at all levels as coordinating bodies.
• Ensure widespread development and mobilization of local resource persons and facilitators for the necessary services required by CF and CBFMs.
• Ensure timely formulation and effective implementation of guidelines for equitable fund mobilization as well as the supply, distribution and sale of forest products from CF/CBFM in a participatory way.
• Formulate and implement laws and guidelines required for the development and promotion of forest-based enterprises by adopting community-based and public-private partnership approaches, and by revising the Medicinal Plant and Non-Timber Forest Product Policy of 2004.
• Ensure development and institutionalization of good governance in CBFMs including CF and forest-based enterprises with practices of transparency, accountability, public auditing, public hearing, and participatory joint-monitoring systems.
• Make all forestry sector organizations free of corruption.
• Ensure the active participation and rights of indigenous groups, ethnic groups, Madheshi, Dalit, women, poor, marginalized and traditional users on forest resources and formulate, review and effectively implement policies, legislation and programmes required to implement the forestry sector-related international treaties/conventions ratified by Nepal.
• Establish appropriate strategies, an institutional framework and a working modality to ensure gender equality of 50% and proportionate representation in decision-making processes and leadership of CF/ CBFMs.
• Develop and implement policies required to minimize conflict between humans and wildlife, and provide compensation/relief for loss of life and property.
• Ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force formed for democratization of the forestry sector of Nepal.
• Build the capacity of all the concerned agencies for management of CF/CBFM.

Economic Contributions

• Make a request to the Government of Nepal to put the forestry sector as a national priority by analyzing and fully evaluating the contribution of forests to the overall national economy, GDP and poverty reduction.
• Make a contribution to the economic development of the country through enterprise development, marketing and commercialization of the forestry sector.
• Ensure implementation of the "One Community Forest, One Forest Enterprise" concept.
• Provide privileges on customs duties to value-added forest products for export promotion and to promote national forest-based enterprises.

Environmental Services

• Institutionalize the concept and develop participatory mechanisms for Payment for Environmental Services (PES) through bundling of environmental services from forests such as conservation of watersheds, biological diversity, aesthetic beauty, carbon sequestration etc.
• Implement pilot programmes on PES, including carbon trade, and apply the lessons learned from such programmes for the development of policy processes and an institutional framework.
• Formulate informative and educational materials on PES and carbon trade to raise awareness among concerned agencies, including forest users, and at the same time, start preparing for PES.
• Develop and implement policies to promote carbon trade and livelihoods jointly, through sustainable and scientific forest management.
• Develop policies, mechanisms and processes allowing better access to and equitable sharing of benefits from the carbon trade and environmental services.
• Discourage distribution and use of forest areas for non-forestry purposes. However, in cases of making forest areas available for non-forestry purposes, make sure that such activities do not reduce the total forest area.
• Promote use of alternative energy as a means for forest protection.
• Develop and regulate national forest certification standards for sustainable management of forests.
• Form a general consensus/commitment to protect forest areas, control encroachment and illegal trade of forest products and wildlife.

By initiating good governance ourselves to perform the activities outlined above, this workshop makes a pledge to provide the necessary services to the general public in a trouble-free manner with sincerity and honesty.