"Seeing the Forest and the Trees"
The Nepal Australia Community Forestry Project
Case Study
Nepal is a small country located in Asia between India and China. Its many hills and valleys are home to different forest types. Nepali people rely on forests for:
- food
- clean water
- herbs
- timber
- fuelwood
- charcoal
- food for animals
- leaf materials for animal bedding
- leaf materials, mixed with manure, for compost
Because of Nepal's long history, and because of its current poverty, large areas of forest have been destroyed. It is now impossible to live in some areas. People are often forced to move, or if they stay, they cannot enjoy the same quality of life as before.
In the early 1960s, the Government of Nepal asked the Australian Government to help grow more trees. Australian foresters began planting Australian eucalypts and acacias, as well as European pine trees, to stop soil washing away and to provide what people needed.
The tree planting programs were mainly successful. However, in some places the trees used too much water, which affected supplies for people, other plants and animals. Nepali people helped plant and care for the trees but did not feel part of important decisions. Also, because poverty was still a problem, people kept cutting trees before they were fully grown.
In the mid 1970s, both governments realised that people and trees had to be thought about together. The Nepal Australia Community Forestry Project began.
Forest User Groups in many villages were put in charge of their own tree nurseries and planting. All members were encouraged to give opinions and plan for the future. Only one section of the forest was cut each year, then helped to regrow straight away. More native trees were planted where possible. People began using traditional knowledge, such as saving leaves for compost.
People stayed interested in the project because trees were growing well and the money raised from the forest was giving other things in return, such as:
- wells and pumps for clean water
- schools
- connection to electricity
- roads
- irrigation schemes
- lights for reading and writing classes at night
- safer and more efficient cooking stoves
- loans to help start businesses
- increased spice production
- a saw mill
- furniture-making workshops
- guards to protect fragile forest areas
- donations to needy families
- further tree planting
Today, some of these services and activities bring in their own money. Some has been spent on teaching Nepali women to read and write, and to play a part in local affairs for the first time.
Since 1978, Australian assistance has helped grow over 20 000 hectares of forest. Now, other areas in Nepal are also using the same methods to care for trees and help people in poverty. If it continues to be so successful then caring for wildlife and encouraging tourists could be the next special goals.
© Commonwealth of Australia