Lumbini's Green Venture

True to the popular saying - Hariyo ban Nepalko dhan (green forest is Nepal’s wealth) – Nepal has become a global model in increasing and conserving the forests. They cover more than 45 per cent of country’s total land areas, thanks to the widely expanded community forests managed by the local people. The sustainable development of forests marks acclaimed feat in view of shrinking forest areas and rapid urbanisation globally. The Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) programme that began four decades ago has proved milestone in fighting the negative consequences of the climate change. The CBFM was successfully implemented after the top-down approach to protect the forests was replaced by the participatory one through the legal and policy reforms. Prior to this, the state used to control and manage the forests and their products. The rationale behind introducing the CBFM was to solve the livelihood problems of locals, foster cooperation among them and restore degraded land, habitats and ecosystem.