FORUM (Spotlight Weekly)

Community Forestry Has Planted The Seeds Of Democracy

Ralph Frand, American Ambassador

As you know, due to number of factors, this is the first such meeting held since 1998. But over the intervening years, despite the lack of this formal convocation, the donors, individually and collectively, have been able to maintain a dialogue with representatives of the government of Nepal and have been able to constructively discuss matters related to forestry policy and practices. That is a credit to the government and to my donor colleagues. I commend you both for those efforts.

Nepalís forests are a basic element of Nepali life. Properly managed forests are a necessity for human survival and growth. The quality of the air we breathe, the purity of the water we drink, the retention of fertile soil are all vital components of life in Nepal and all are dependent on the proper management of Nepalís forestry resources.

In addition, as the Finance Secretary knows well, forestry is a vital sector of Nepalís economy. It produces fodder for animals; constructions materials for building homes; food and medicinal plants are found in forests as well. The biodiversity of well-managed forests attracts tourists for outdoor adventure and of course it is the sources of 80% of the energy consumed in Nepal.

But the importance of sound management of Nepalís forest resources is not important to Nepal alone. Nepalís neighbors depend on Nepal for proper forest management as vital to regional watershed management. Robust forest reduce flooding and slow the erosion of Nepalís rich topsoil. Satellite photographs support the cynical suggestion that Nepalís 76th districts lies just under the surface of the Bay of Bengal. Regrettable there is more truth than humor in that.

The government of Nepal, with the assistance of the donor community, has developed visionary, people-oriented forest management plans, policies and legislation. Our, the donors and the government, collective efforts have helped to protect watersheds improve soil and water conservation, increase supplies of fuel wood, fodder, construction materials, constructed nurseries, established seedling production, improved wild life habitat and the livelihood of many Nepali families through income generation through the sustainable use of non-timber forest products. If those were only success, our collective efforts would be justified.

However, beyond those positive effects there has been a huge measurable benefit derived from institutions of community based forestry programs. Community Forestry has planted the seeds Democracy at the grass roots level. It has put control and responsibility for the management of national resources in the hands of the people. It has increased participation in group decision making. These groups have become the catalysts for other community-based development activities such as literacy classes, micro enterprises and improvements in community health.

In addition, community forestry also directly supports the Government of Nepalís efforts to decentralize by making local groups less dependent on the action of central authorities. Community based forestry is a powerful tool to spread the benefits and responsibilities of democracy.

Yes, the government of Nepal and the donor community can be rightfully proud of our collective involvement in forestry development in Nepal. However, as a representative of the donor community, I feel obliged to point to three continuing concerns that must be included in our dialogue.

The first question of Community Forestry in the Terai. Much of the donor discussion with the government over recent months has centered on the Terai and old growth, extremely valuable tropical hardwood forests still found there. Illegal timber cutting, smuggling and mismanagement threaten the survival of those forests. Frankly, at times the official policy regarding the Terai forests have seemed to many of to be confusing and at odds with exiting forestry legislation. Forestry policy in the Terai, as elsewhere, needs to be transparent and consistent with existing laws and regulations.

I share many of my colleagues view that the formation of community forestry groups in the Terai and elsewhere should be encouraged and expanded. The evidence is quite clear that forest in highly populated areas can only be sustained with the active participation of neighboring communities.

The second concern I share with many of my colleagues is the rule of the Timber Corporation of Nepal in the cutting and sale of timber. We continue to recommend that TCN be dissloved or, at the very last, be required to compete openly for timber with private companies. No one better than the Fiance Secretary understands the burden such inefficent govenrment companies place on the growth of the nation. I recognize that such a decision may be politically difficult, but I urge the political leadership to keep in mind the people who elected you, saw in you the courage and wisdom to do what is right.

The third area of concern is the newly developing policy on the use of forest derived income by Community Groups. Policies on royalties and taxation of forest products should be carefully reviewed to ensure that any changes in revenues do not weaken incentives for wise, long-term forest management by community user groups.

There are many other issues to be addressed during our time together and Iím looking forward to see the results of those discussions.

Again, Iíd like to congratulate the efforts made by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation to review forestry policy issues in Nepal and maintain a constructive dialogue with the international community.

I urge Ministry officials, when considering revisions to forest policy, to be as inclusive as possible and not consult only the donor community but also the community owners, those lives are mot directly influenced by changes.

Dialogue is the key to further cooperation in the forestry sector, which is why this meeting is so important. I look forward to getting down to work on this vital sector for the future of Nepal.

In closing, let me say that there is an expression in English which is often used to criticize oneís vision, we say the person cannot see the forest for the trees. Let us today and tomorrow see beyond the trees and see how we can involve the people of Nepal in the responsible management of their own natural resources and the environment of the region.

What this is really all about is democracy. About Nepalese making decisions about their own resources for collective good of all the Nepali people.