Abstract

This article examines Nepal's recently prepared Forestry Sector Strategy (FSS) (as of 2014) in terms of the use of scientific evidence and the quality of stakeholder participation. By reviewing the content and analyzing the context of its development during 2012-2014, we found that the transitional politics and overt influence of international development agencies dominated the process and content of the FSS. Although the FSS was developed through a significant stakeholder engagement, there was limited use of the available scientific evidence. The FSS was narrowly conceived as a deliverable of supporting aid programs, with limited demand for a politically meaningful policy processes. While civil society groups were consulted, they largely failed to present an independent voice due to their dependence on funding agencies. Our assessment calls for rethinking policy development in a way that facilitates assertive and independent participation by a range of actors and make better use of the available research.

Keywords

community forestry, development, evidence-based policy, foreign aid, policy process

Published in

Society and Natural Resources
2016, Volume: 29, number: 3, pages: 357-373

SLU Authors

• Khatri, Dil

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • ForestAction Nepal

Associated SLU-program

Future Forests (until Jan 2017)
Forest
SLU Future Forests


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls


UKÄ Subject classification

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/81120