Uganda asked to borrow Nepal’s community forest growth model

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Nepal provides a practical example of how the community can be empowered to manage forests and significantly contribute to the growth of forest cover in the county.

“We learnt that once you organise the people, tell them what to do and the importance and gains from the forest, they will take care of the forest, and if you do something detrimental to the forest, you are punished as a community member,” Makerere University lecturer Dr Peter Babyenda says.

According to Babyenda, Nepal’s model demonstrates how local people are at the forefront of protecting forests in Nepal. However, in many other countries, communities living near forests are seen as enemies of forests.

Babyenda, who is a policy engagement specialist for the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Programme, says in 2023, a team went on a study tour in Nepal to learn about community forest management practices that has increased Nepal's forest cover from 29% in 1990 to 45% in 2013.

The team on Tuesday, February  27, 2024, presented their findings at the ministry of water and environment, Luzira, Kampala.

Babyenda explained that not only does Nepal’s model contribute to ecosystem functioning and protection, but it has contributed to mitigation and adaptation to climate change largely, due to the maintenance of forests that absorb carbon but also regulate temperature.

Uganda’s forestry cover has decreased from 24% in 1990 to about 9%.

Babyenda explained that communities that stay near forests in Nepal have records of everyone including their photos and they will get to know who does what. They have a well-organised inclusive leadership comprising 50% men and female. They keep books of accounts that are audited and maintain transparency.

Nepal has about 22,000 community forest user groups benefitting about 2.9 million households. The community manages about 2.2 million hectares of forest.

One of the universities in Nepal undertakes training of community forest leaders, they do capacity building for the leaders together with the department of forestry and wildlife.

Babyenda said the model has made it easy to mobilise the communities in Nepal which has led to the restoration of degraded forests.

The model, according to Babyenda, has contributed to community infrastructure and livelihood benefits because CFUGs are used as a vehicle for community development evidenced by several community development projects.

Babyenda explained that not only does Nepal’s model contribute to ecosystem functioning and protection, but it has contributed to mitigation and adaptation to climate change largely, due to the maintenance of forests that absorb carbon but also regulate temperature.

“The model contributes to household income generation through the sale of forest products in a sustainable way. The households are aware of the consequences of mismanaging forests and thus use them in a sustainable way,” Babyenda said.

Mugabi noted that the mandate of managing the environment lies within the water and environment ministry.

The visit to Nepal

In 2023, a Ugandan team comprising Babyenda, Christine Mugyenyi and Rukundo Tom from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) went to Nepal to study the community forest management model. The study tour was funded by EfD Global Hub and the National Forestry Authority Uganda.

The tour was one of the activities of EfD Forest Collaborative Peer Learning Project on Community Forestry aimed at deepening the understanding of community-based forestry management and sharing ideas and experiences regarding forestry among the participant countries.

The function was attended by officials from ministries, departments and agencies of government including NFA, Uganda World Life Authority and the National Environmental Management Authority.

While opening the workshop on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, the acting director environment and natural resources Stephen Mugabi hailed the EfD Mak centre for the continued partnership that was initiated with the ministry.

Mugabi noted that the mandate of managing the environment lies within the water and environment ministry.

He called the need to understand the definitions of a community forest away from the standard definition of a forest. He said that the way the community understands the forest is different and has many values attached to it.

EfD-Mak Centre director, who is also Directorate of Makerere University Graduate Research and Training director Prof. Edward Bbaale, commended the EfD Global hub funded by Sida for sponsoring the Peer Learning Project for Community Forestry for policymakers and researchers with a visit to Nepal.

“Nepal’s model granting legal rights to use and manage forest resources, stands as an exemplary solution against deforestation, a lesson we find particularly relevant given Uganda’s challenges,” Bbaale said.