Innovation Systems in Forest Resources Management: Lessons Learned From Community Forestry Programme of Nepal

Abstract

"There have been various attempts to engage states, markets and communities in managing natural resources to achieve both conservation and poverty reduction. In Nepal, a participatory approach to forest management popularly known as 'community forestry' (CF) has proven effective in conserving forests and meeting the livelihood needs of forest-dependent communities. Since 1978, CF has evolved at both the local institutional and national policy levels. However, uneven socioeconomic relations, power dynamics, cultural contexts and other factors pose a challenge for sustainable livelihoods. Moving away from traditional research and extension services, a new emphasis on innovation systems approach has emerged. This approach demands greater attention to interactions among actors in knowledge creation, dissemination and knowledge into use. This research draws on the decade-long experience of Forest Action in adaptive, collaborative processes and management approaches, self-monitoring, and participatory action and learning with 60 community forest users groups (CFUGs) in three districts of Nepal. Preliminary results reveal effective forest management and governance innovations, adoption of planning and self-monitoring in enterprise development, and marketing of forest products and services to user groups. Furthermore, CF service providers and collaborators employ more adaptive and collaborative approaches and are more responsive to the demands and concerns of forest users and other socially marginalized groups."