Nature Conservation and Agroforestry Production in Rural Communities

State of implementation/results

• Project completed.
• The new National Forest Stewardship Standard (NFSS) in Nepal has been implemented with 40 Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), covering a total forest area of over 8,700 hectares.
• More than 9,400 hectares of forest and 450 hectares of arable land are brought under improved management with forest fire prevention and control, sustainable use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and the introduction of organic and wildlife friendly agricultural practices.
• Based on a biodiversity and ecosystem services assessment as well as forest inventories, measures for conservation and sustainable harvesting of NTFPs were incorporated into community forest management plans.
• Two toolkits created, on Sustainable Harvesting of NTFPs and Preparation and Application of Organic Inputs, serve as reference materials for local resource persons and communities.
• 27 organic farmer groups, involving 574 households, and 4 municipal-level farmers' associations were formed, raising capacities in organic production, marketing and access to government programs and facilities.
• A new community-based NTFP drying and processing enterprise has been established, serving as a hub for collectors and traders whilst maintaining quality standards to access markets.
• Cultivation of essential oil plants that repel wildlife, coupled with the production of essential oil, reduces human-wildlife conflicts and diversifies incomes.
• A Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for organic certification was initiated in Madhyabindu municipality, encompassing 151 hectares of farmland and 105 households.
• A public-private community alliance (PPCA) has been developed in Kawasoti municipality, supporing strategic planning of the municipality in sustainable local development. A dedicated tourism section under the PPCA coordinates efforts among local stakeholders engaged in eco-tourism.
• Two interpretative trails: Tiger and Rhino, as well as Jharanakhola Nature and Culture are near completion, incorporating community participation in their design and installation of signboards and other interpretative features.
• Institutional and organizational management training was conducted in one district and four local community forestry networks, resulting in a 5-year strategic plan for the district-level network.
• Forest fire awareness and control networks and committees were established, equipping 30 CFUGs with firefighting equipment and froming two local fire brigades.
• The project supported 125 households with improved cooking stoves, reducing firewood consumption by apprx. 40%.
• The project engaged with 72 schools, raising awareness, promoting environmental education, and training teachers and pupils to lead conservation activities, resulting in the formation of eco-clubs in the schools.

Latest Update:
02/2025

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