Management of forests for local use in the hills of Nepal. 1. Changing forest management paradigms

A review of experience gained in the Nepal Australia Forestry Project, in the hill districts E. and NE of Kathmandu, since its inception in 1978. Factors affecting change in forest management since 1950 are examined (attitudes and reactions of government, external influences, indigenous forest management and village level perceptions). Initial reaction to the problem of deforestation was to attempt to enforce protection through nationalization legislation. Emphasis has now shifted towards village or district based forest management policy.