Community Based Sustainable Forest Management Program

Funding partner: Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) of World Wildlife. Fund, Inc, (WWF)

Program Implementation area: The program is implemented in ward 2 and 6 of Maijogmai RM. The forest restoration area lies in the attitude range of 1000m to 2800m.

Project Background

Maijogmai Rural Municipality of Ilam district in province I, is part of Eastern Himalayas and lies in the border of India and Nepal, which is one of the important biological corridors within the Kanchenjunga Landscape and is also known as Important Biodiversity Area and Important Bird areas. The forest in the area is degrading due to lack of proper protection and management. The area is also a habitat of Red Panda which is at greater risk of becoming extinct and is home of several species of birds. Despite, the presence of valuable species and vegetation the forest is being destructed and no initiation of protection has been carried. Excessive exploitation of forest product, and lack of reforestation practice have worsened the condition of forest. So, to safeguard the species and the ecosystem the forest needs to be restored. Owing the context, NCDC is implementing Community Based Sustainable Forest Management Program in the area with the support of Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Major Activities

Community mobilization training

Capacity building training for Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGs)

Nursery establishment

Forest conservation and management training

Renewable energy technology promotion training

Expected conservation gains

Strengthened Forest Management Committee through training and capacitated them for sustainable forest management.

Empowered Community: Local community will empower capacity of local community on self-management of forest

Recovery of forest: As a result of conservation human uncontrolled pressure on forest will be reduced, exploitation will decrease and in long run degraded land will be restored.

Safeguard the biodiversity: Sustainable Forest management will cease the degradation of habitats and natural capital within landscape. This improves the quality of natural habitat and provide foundation for recovery of endemic plants and endangered animal species such as Red Panda in the area