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Abstract:
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From Introduction:
"Rural communities in many parts of the world are known to maintain indigenous institutions for the management of natural resources. Such indigenous institutions in many cases are formal as well as informal. In Nepal, there are several strong formal as well as informal indigenous institutions. These indigenous institutions (IIs) carried out effective communal management of natural resources (particularly forest, pastureland and irrigation water) and are largely responsible for the continued productivity, proper distribution and use of these resources.
"In Nepal in many cases, these indigenous institutions are 'Councils' represented by all the permanently settled households of the village. The councils decide, usually by consensus, the rules for the management of natural resources. Often again, the councils nominate one or a small number of the households in rotation for a specified period (usually one year) to act as the 'enforcer' of rules for the management of natural resources. In some cases, the council may elect such enforcer.
"Animal husbandry is the primary source of socioeconomic survival of the population inhabiting in the high altitude northern areas of Nepal. The agriculture sector in these areas pivots around it, while the centuries-old trans-Himalayan (Nepal-Tibet) trade depends on animal husbandry for pack animals. It is also an important element in the social structure of the population. The successful practice of animal husbandry and natural resources management in this area has been based on indigenous pasture and natural resources management systems, which is basically implemented by the IIs.
"There are several indigenous pasture management systems existing in different parts of the country. Sustained development of animal husbandry through local management of pasturelands will bring economic betterment of the inhabitants of the northern areas of Nepal. Due to various factors, however, these prospects have so far been left largely unexplored.
"Available information bear witness to the fact that the practice of animal husbandry in the northern areas of Nepal in the past and today owe their continuity primarily to the successful indigenous pasture management systems which is implemented by IIs."
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