University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Chiranjeewee Khadka
(2006):
Criteria and Indicators for Community Based Sustainable Forest Management - a case study of Nawalpur Saraswati (Basamadi) Community Forestry User Group, Makawanpur District, Nepal.
Master / Diploma Thesis,
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp n.a..
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- The demand to assess sustainable forest management (SFM) has generally evolved to the use of criteria and indicators (C&I). The uses of C&I for evaluating community based sustainable forest management at the forest management unit scale are at present scare in Nepal. Therefore the purpose of this study was to identify a set of C&I using a participatory bottom up approach with groups of stakeholders within a community forest user group (CFUG) in Nepal. The case study took place at the Nawalpur Saraswati (Basamadi) CFUG, in Nepal. A content analysis of the constitution and operational plan of the CFUG, a SWOT analysis during hamlet meetings, a local C&I workshop and multi criteria analysis (MCA) techniques were used to facilitate the development process of a C&I set. The final local C&I set consists of 8 principles, 33 criteria and 97 indicators. In comparison with the international C&I set of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) it was shown that 26 criteria (79%) and 44 (45 %) indicators are similar with the FSC standards while 7 (21%) criteria and 53 (55 %) indicators are unique at all. Ranking, rating and pair-wise comparisons were used to identify the importance of each criteria and indicators according to sustainable forest management by six stakeholder groups (members of Poor Women, Dalit, Rich Brahmin Women, General Forest Users, Forest User Group Committee, Local NGO¿s). Based on their preferences a reduced set of 20 criteria and 47 indicators was identified for evaluating three management strategies for the CFUG. Strategy I was postulated by the forest ranger in operational plan, strategy II from participants in C&I workshop and strategy III was based on personal field observations. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to evaluate the management strategies according to each single indicator. The priorities of the strategies were based on a qualitative assessment of the results of the content and SWOT analysis and the preferences of different stakeholder groups. Sensitivity analysis according to varying preference information was done to find an overall compromise solution for the CFUG. It was found that strategy III was the best management option whereas MS II is the most socially accepted strategy due to the balanced preferences of all stakeholders. A discussion about the findings on the C&I development process and their implications for community based forest management in Nepal is given. The feedback received from the local users indicates that the tole level concept provokes and facilitates the process of improving their understanding of the concepts of SFM. The MCA techniques were transparent, easy to implement, and provide conducive environment for participatory assessment of forest management practices. Results from the study show that the C&I set for evaluating SFM at the local level is suitable for defining, measuring, assessing and monitoring CBFM at the local level. However, the C&I approach is still lacking a simple, meaningful interpretation and refinement of all indicators for an effective implementation. In practice, it was difficult to define and evaluate all dimensions of SFM in a holistic way. The process of C&I development is an initial step to foster participation and sustainable community based forest management in Nepal.
- Beurteilende(r): Vacik Harald