| Empowerment of Women and Disadvantaged Groups |
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| Posted on 2006-03-30 |
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The human resource potential of women and disadvantaged groups has not been realized in Nepal. Patriarchal traditions, caste hierarchy, discriminatory laws, social exclusion of ethnic groups, and poverty combine to limit voices and choices. The effective hand over of a community forest to local users requires an informed understanding about rights and responsibilities. User groups consist of mutually-recognized collectors of forest products, but not all forest users are equal in terms of their access to private resources or degree of dependence on the community forest. Given the traditional divisions, hierarchies, and other forms of exclusion prevalent in Nepalese society, it is essential that different kinds of users – especially, women, as well as the very poor, landless, low caste, and ethnic groups – are empowered to participate in deliberations and establish procedures for equitable access and distribution of forest resources.
NTFP Development and Income Generation
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), especially medicinal plants, constitute a range of forest-based resources could enhance the livelihoods of rural people. Many areas of Nepal, in particular the high mountains and middle hill region, are endowed with valuable NTFPs. Some NTFPs are commercially profitable, with an established collector-trader-producer marketing and commodity chain. However, the potential returns from most NTFPs are unrealized, because of the lack of value-added technology or capital, excessive taxes or royalties, and unfair terms of trade for local collectors. This undermines local incentives to protect and sustainably harvest NTFP resources.
Advocacy |
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