The role of community forestry in catastrophic recovery: A case of reconstruction in post-earthquake in Gorkha district, Nepal

Abstract

Nepal was hit by a mega earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in 2015, which severely affected the rural lives. The contribution of community forests to recover from the aftermath of earthquake is least studied. On this purview, this study aims to examine the roles of community forestry to recover from earthquake's impact, through an analysis of the use of forest products for the daily use, reconstruction of houses and infrastructures. Based on 185 households, and 11 key informant interview contribution of forest was assessed. Initially, forest products use pattern decreased immediately right after the earthquake in 2015 and it subsequently increased in the year 2016 and 2017. In 2015, earthquake year, the timber consumption was very less but the fuelwood and fodder demand were fulfilled through private lands and others. Timber and fuelwood harvest from community forest in 2017 was higher than before 2015. However, the temporary reformulation form government for allowing to harvest up to 90% of annual increment of the community forests helps to meet the demands and remains under the sustainable limit. Despite having different forest resources, community forests are the first choice to fulfill daily needs. Thus, comparatively community forestry has the ability to contribute more to post-disaster restoration and recovery period than the other forest resources.

Keywords

• forest products
• post-earthquake recovery
• consumption pattern
• rural development
• sustainability