This chapter reports on research on forest user groups in two districts in the Terai (plains) of Nepal. The evidence indicates that while the effect of community-based forest groups has led to improved tree cover within the community forests, for a variety of reasons to do with access, these have not necessarily translated into pro-poor livelihood benefits. The chapter concludes by stating that greater recognition needs to be given to the diverse use of forests and the role of these uses in poor household livelihood diversification strategies.
Chhetry, B., Francis, P., Gurung, M., Iversen, V., Kafle, G., Pain, A. and Seeley, J (2005) Challenges to increasing the opportunities for the poor to access benefits of common pool resources: The case of community forestry in the Terai of Nepal. pp 267-287 (Chapter 19) in Stocking, M., Helleman, H. and White, R. (eds) Renewable natural resources management for mountain communities. Kathmandu, Nepal: ICIMOD.