Promoting Equity in Community Forestry: Recognition of the Marginalized People Matters

Abstract

"The community forestry program in Nepal has been advancing as a successful model of participatory forestry. However, there have been growing concerns that the poor, bearing a greater extent of costs in comparison to the well off, has not been getting a fair share of benefits. Rather, they are further disadvantaged in some cases after the introduction of community forestry. This paper seeks to explore underlying causes of inequity based on contemporary theories of justice. Examining two community forest user groups in the middle hill districts, the study finds that lack of recognition of the poor in interpersonal and public sphere exacerbated the powerlessness of marginalized people, reducing their participation in the decision-making. This suggests that policy and practice in community forestry needs to focus on broader political questions, including representation in decision making, making space for the voice of members to influence decisions, and transforming socio-economic and political institutions and cultural practices."