Integrating biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services into operational plan of community forestry in Nepal: status and gaps
P. R. Thani, R. KC B. K. Sharma P. Kandel , K. Nepal
After initiation of community forestry system in Nepal, the status of forest cover has improved owing to significant roles of people in conservation, management and utilization of forest resources. As a result of increased productivity of the forest and restoration of degraded areas forest users have been able to receive various economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits to strengthen their livelihood. Despite many positive outcomes as a result of community forest, there are still some factors which haven’t allowed in the proper biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services maintenance. The study carried out on 100 operational plans from different parts of the country showed that the incorporation status of biodiversity and ecosystem services into community forest operational plan is worse whereas such plan is the main component to lead the destination of any community forest. In addition to this, some gaps and challenges were observed in community forestry which have not favored to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services management systematically at an optimum level yet.
Biodiversity, Community forest, Ecosystem services, Operational Plans
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