Income redistribution of community forest users’ groups: What do the poor get?

Equitable benefit sharing is still a major issue in Nepal’s community forestry, even after a decade of policy focus on inclusion. This study examines how benefits from a Community Forest User Group (CFUG) practicing silviculture-based forest management under an irregular shelterwood system are distributed among poor households in western Nepal. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the study examined income contributions of CFUG activities using 202 households data. The results show that the average annual benefits per household reached NRs. 26,109 (1 US$=NRs 137.78). Findings show that average annual benefits per household from collection of forest products accounted for 66%, followed by 14% employment from forest activities, 13% CFUG support, and 7% for forest management activities. Although CFUGs dedicated 18% of their annual spending to support programs for the poor, inequalities still existed. Female-headed households and marginalized caste groups tended to receive more benefits from CFUG support but less from forest product sales and management. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender, distance from the forest, land holding size and occupation had significant effects on the total forest income. Although community forests have increased forest-based income for poor households, differences based on gender, caste, and socio-economic status emphasize the need for better governance and fairer benefit-sharing in community forestry.