Leasehold forestry revives barren hills, boosts incomes in Chitwan
Summary
Leasehold forestry in Chitwan's Kalika Municipality has transformed degraded hills into lush forests, boosting incomes through sustainable timber, bamboo, and grass sales while supporting marginalized communities.
Key Points
- A barren hillside in Kalika Municipality, Chitwan, has been revitalized into a green forest through leasehold forestry programs.
- Local groups manage leased forest land, enabling communities to harvest bamboo, grass, and now timber, improving livelihoods.
- Policy changes in 2022 allowed communities to auction fallen or dried timber, sharing revenue with the government.
- Leasehold forestry supports marginalized groups like Chepang, Gurung, Tamang, and Dalit, and enables livestock farming and milk production.
