Hemant R Ojha

We have selected two forest user groups for our study:

•Pallo Pakha in the Baglung district (middle hills), and

•Siswa in Nawalparasi district, in the buffer zone of Royal Chitwan National Park

Although we had originally planned to undertake research in only one location, we have decided to pick two sites to further strengthenthe project's impact. We have visited both sites and held meetings with community leaders and resource users so as to explain the meaning of Biodiversity and the importance of its conservation in community forestry management; to explore the interest and willingness of the communities to work with us on the project; and to identify ideas for the project from the users side.

I am pleased to inform that we have successfully set up the project on two sites - one in the hills and one in the Terai. In the Terai site (Rajahar area of Nawalparasi), the project is being smoothly implemented, whereas in the hill site (Kushmisera area of Baglung district), the security situation has worsened following our inception activity. We have refined the project log frame in the light of new learnings, and prepared a plan until the end of December. One almost full time staff (Him L Shrestha) has been hired, who will be supported by other ForestAction professionals whenever needed. I am coordinating the entire project as the principle investigator.

The study focused on the role of communities for biodiversity conservation in the Buffer Zone area of Royal Chitwan National Park. The primary objective of this research was to develop a methodology for integrating and livelihoods concerns in the context of community forestry. The focus of the study was to facilitate community and their actions on conservation and management of species under selection stress as well as identify policy issues and opportunities in relation to the integration of biodiversity concerns in community managed forests.

In Nepal, over 11,000 FUGs have been managing more than 850,000 ha of country forests. However they have not incorporated the concept of biological diversity in their operational forest management plans (OP). In addition, most OPs focus on timber-oriented management strategies, ignoring a number of valuable products that are useful to poor communities and their livelihoods. The action research mode allowed the project team to increase awareness of communities on both institutional and ecological aspects. Several of the changes induced through the project actions are expected to create conservation impact and enhance biodiversity based livelihood opportunities.

Read in full Hemant's final report below.