Buffer Zone Community Forestry in Nepal: Achievements, Challenges, and Governance Implications

Abstract

Buffer zone community forestry (BZCF) in Nepal represents the second-largest community-based forest management regime, covering nearly half of the forest area in declared buffer zones surrounding protected areas. Since the late 1970s, community forestry has become the principal participatory management regime in buffer zones. This study reviews scholarly literature, legislative frameworks, and government reports to evaluate the institutional strengths, achievements, and challenges of BZCF in Nepal. Findings reveal significant contributions to forest restoration, improved forest conditions, extended wildlife habitats, and enhanced rural livelihoods and ecotourism. Persistent challenges include limited supply of forest products, increasing human–wildlife conflicts, restricted autonomy of user groups, and weak coordination between local governments and BZCF user groups. Strengthening institutional and governance arrangements is essential to reconcile local development needs with effective forest management and biodiversity conservation, highlighting BZCF as a critical model for people-centered conservation in Nepal.