Who are controlling community forestry user groups in Nepal? Scrutiny of elite theory

Abstract

Nepal has established community forestry institutions to manage natural resources at the local community level under the assumption that there will be better management than under Government agencies. However, community forestry has not been entirely successful as it has not addressed the needs of poor and marginalised groups. The main goal of this study is to examine how Nepalese social structure guides the structure of the Executive Committee (EC) of Community Forestry User Groups and in particular, whether the EC is dominated by elite groups that could in turn hinder the needs of poor and marginalised groups. This paper uses data from the middle hill district of Baglung, Nepal. Statistical analysis indicates that decision-making is dominated by the local elite, who are typically from higher castes, have larger land holdings, and have a higher income. The empirical results are expected to suggest policy makers design program for empowering people of low caste, poor and lower socio-economic status to create opportunity to be involved in decision making in order to have equal or need based benefits acquired by CF.