Project Detail

Integrated Human Ecology Project

Integrated Human Ecology Project implanted in Durlum and Khurkot VDC of Parbat district is first of its kind in Nepal. The main goal of the project is to establish certification system of forest produce in the area. About 40 percent of the total areas of these VDCs are covered by the forest which comprises mainly coniferous and other broad leave species. The community forestry programme has been a successful endeavour in these VDCs and a total of 13 Community Forests (CFs) have been handed over to the users. The climate ranges from sub tropical to warm temperate.

A number of other organisation works in these VDCs. Livelihood and Forestry Programme (LFP) implemented through District Forest Office (DFO), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) funded Sustainable Soil Management Programme (implemented by Nawa Chetana Community Development Centre, NCCDC, a local NGO) and Helvetas are working in these VDCs. Thus the project works with close coordination with these institutions to obtaining synergy. Likewise OUEST also cofunded in the project, the fund being used to establish 3 multipurpose nurseries in the project VDC.

Major breakthrough was achieved when Salleri Community Forest Users Group has prepared first ever community forestry operational plan incorpoating forest certification guidlines and principle.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

SEED TREE Nepal

Country:

Nepal

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 45,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 16,777.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 3,431.00

Project Number:

NEP/02/03

Start Date:

7/2002

End Date:

2/2005

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

20% of the total budget has been allocated to carry out need based seed grant activities. The project has already collected baseline information and incorporated doable CBO plan in the annual plan of the project. Of the accomplished activities, 8spring water harvesting tank have been constructed with the participation of the local people

Policy Impact

Although,so far no legislation regarding the forest certification has been made, but the project has induced significant concerned for all the stakeholders regarding the certification and as the result a national working group for the forest certification has been formed. The book published on "Forest Certification-Experience from Parbat District" is the first book of its kind in Nepal which has served as an important referece material for the forestry college.

Notable Community Participation

Social plateform is created through the social mobilisation approach, which ensure the people's participation. A total of 25 Community Based Organisations (CBOs) comprising 447 (men 172 amd women 275) have already been formed. The already established forest users group are also main stakeholders in implementing the project activities.

Capacity - Building Component

Strengthening of local people and building capacities of the forest users group for forest produce certification is the prime focus of the project. In addition, the project has convened a number of certification talk programme and orientation in the VDC. Likewise, in co-ordination with NCCDC, the project has conducted Improved Farm Yard and Compost Manure management training to the 5 community based organisations. With the active participation from forest users's committee, District Forest Office and serias of workshop on forest certifiction (4 times) at the district headquarter, local standard for the forest certification has been prepared. This local standard has been prepared in line with the pricipals and guidlines of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The VDC consist of Biswokarma, Sarki, Darji, Sanyasi and Magars which are considered as lower caste and are the marginalised section of the society.

Gender Focus

The certification standard has improved the participation of women members in the leadership role. In the forest users group, the percentage of women representative has increased to 33% where as there is 30 women members in leadership role in 25 CBOs.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The participating forest usres group members are well aware over the issue of forest certification, forest and its implication over the environment

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project has provision of NRS 1.2 million allocated as trust fund to carry out enterprises activities. The project has mobilised about NRS 1.5 million benefitting 215 members including 126 women members.

Project Results

The project is able to capture the forest certification issues in the community forest at the grassroots level. Forest certification is very costly and market driven need and thus the community forest cannot afford it. It is therefore, the main thrust is given to the develop local standardard incorporating the prinicipal and indicators of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). With the srong support from the local forest users and the District Forest Office, local standards for Jhauri and Saller Community Forest has been prepared. With the new standard, following impacts have been clearly seen the project area:
1. Becasus of the provision of helping the poor, women and disadvantage group, the CFUG allocated forest land to them in lease and also helped initiate IGA activities.
2. Loans provided to the poor members for the IGA with lesser interest rate.
3. Representative of women members in the forest users committee increased to 33%
4. The CFUG has reclaimed the forest land from the encroachers.
5. Sustainable harvesting of Resin tapping started again.

The project has stirred concern over forest certification in national scenario as well. A national working group, comprising representatives from socio, economic and environment chambers has been formed to develop national standard for forest certification and get accreditiation from FSC.

The project has also supported in the installation of 10 Biogas, 75 improved cook stove and 8 drinking water support including 6 irrigation channel support benefitting 197 HH.

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