page_title: Community forestry in Nepal
section_title: Environment
hierarchical_section_title: Community forestry in Nepal / Effects / Environment
caption_attribution_description: October 2017. The Malika Handmade Paper Pvt. Ltd. (MHPL) building (smoke rising) with the forested hillsides of a nearby Community Forest area in the background. Lokta bark used in the paper making comes from these and surrounding forests. Kailas is a village of 300+ households and over 3000 people situated several thousand meters up in the mountains from the city of Chainpur. Access is only by a steep trail traversing the hillsides. Kailas, Bajhang District, Nepal. Photograph by Jason Houston for USAID
context_page_description: The community forestry program in Nepal is a government effort to reduce forest degradation and to promote sustainable forestry practices as well as to improve the livelihood of the community. It incorporates distinct policies, institutions and practices. The two main goals of the community forestry program is to empower local communities whilst encouraging environmental conservation benefits on the Himalayan forests.
  Nepal has become one of the first developing nations to adopt a community forestry management program which gives authority to the community and groups to manage forest resources. As a result, Nepal now stands as one of the leaders in community based forest management as they have made direct progress in halting environmental degradation and by regenerating forests in barren areas. Studies have proven the potential benefits that community forestry will have in combating environmental degradation as well as utilizing resources in a sufficient manner.
context_section_description: One of the main drivers for the implementation of the community forestry program in Nepal was to reduce the effects of environmental degradation and to improve the conditions of the Himalayan forests. According to one study, biodiversity in community forestry program plots was significantly higher than non-community forestry plots in forests in Terai. 
  The overall effects of the community forestry program include the increase of biodiversity from the result of rejuvenating and expanding the diversity species of trees and plants. It is evident that the community's active participation on forest management had a positive effect on increasing biodiversity and forest coverage on the once barren slopes. Although there has not been comprehensive studies assessing the implementation of community forestry and improved forest conditions, it is evident through general observation and case studies that there has been indications of progress in overall forest conditions.
caption: October 2017. Kailas, Bajhang District, Nepal. Photograph by Jason Houston for USAID
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