| Abstract | This paper presents a cohesive model for causal linkages from the leasehold forestry project intervention to its impact on marginal mountain farms of Nepal. Data collected from annual household surveys (1994-99), group and site information (2000), site- specific impact assessment on vegetation and social development, comparative studies of women with differing access to forest resources, and other ongoing studies. The project included three main interventions such as leasehold group formation and forest handover, training and inputs and access to credit. The interventions have two direct or primary effects, which lead to three secondary and four tertiary effects, each resulting in certain impacts improving the family welfare and livelihood of leasehold farmers. The primary effects include increased fodder availability and increased quality and productivity of livestock, while the secondary effects are increased time available to women farmers, increased stall-feeding and increased availability of livestock products. The tertiary effects include opportunity to diversify income sources, opportunity to attend more meetings, training and literacy classes, reduced pressure on forest vegetation, and increased manure. |