Timber Distribution Dynamics in Scientifically Managed Community Forests: Learning from Nepal

Prabin Bhusal,Jude Ndzifon Kimengsi,Pawan Karki

doi:10.3390/f11101032

Abstract

In a bid to address growing timber demand, irregular shelterwood system-based scientific forestry gained momentum in Nepal in 2000. While timber production, in general, is said to have witnessed an increase, the outcomes linked to equitable distribution among users remain unclear, suggesting the need for context-specific studies on the performance of scientific forestry in terms of timber distribution among users. Taking the case of the Western Terai Region of Nepal, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the patterns and implications of timber distribution under community forestry systems where scientific forest management (SciFM) is practiced. The study deployed focus group discussions (n = 4), key informant interviews, and a review of timber distribution processes for the past six fiscal years (2013–2019), the periods before and after the implementation of SciFM. For data analysis, a deductive approach was used; analytical themes were framed along the lines of timber-harvesting trends, timber distribution structure and processes, and timber distribution patterns based on wellbeing. The study revealed a substantial increase in timber harvesting; considering the base year, harvest increased by 45% in the second year and by 56% in the third year. This was, however, characterized by a 40% decrease in the average volume of timber for users within the community forest user group. Ninety-seven percent of the timber produced in this system was distributed among middle- and high-class groups, with only 3% available for poor households—this puts to question the intended objective of providing sufficient timber, especially to poor users. The paper concludes that technocentric efforts linked to increasing timber sufficiency (e.g., through SciFM) have failed to address the needs of the poorest of the poor, as elite capture prevails. We also call for future studies to explore pathways to deal with the hydra-headed nature of elite capture.

Highlights

With more than four decades of practice in community forestry (CF), Nepal stands as a notable example of decentralized forest management in the Global South [1,2,3]
In the case of timber harvesting and distribution structure and processes, we focused on how the executive committee (EC) and members associated with EC were extensively involved in the timber distribution process at the community forest user groups (CFUGs) level, and there was no role for other users in this process
Our result depicts a substantial increase in timber harvesting after scientific forest management (SciFM) implementation in the CFUG, with an increasing trend in the first three years of SciFM implementation

Summary

Introduction

With more than four decades of practice in community forestry (CF), Nepal stands as a notable example of decentralized forest management in the Global South [1,2,3]. The foundation of CF was laid within the framework of the 1976 National Forestry Plan and the Forest Sector Master Plan of 1988 [4]. Further provisions such as the Forest Act of 1993, the 1995 Forest Regulation, and, recently, the Forest. The 2019 Forest Act defines community forests (CFs) as “any part of national forest that has been handed over to users for the development, protection, utilization, and management of forest resources” [5]. Community forest users have the right to develop, use, and manage the forest and sell and distribute forest products by fixing the prices. With its primary objectives to enhance forest conservation, it sought to empower forest users to manage forests for their livelihoods [6,7]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion