Forest, agriculture, and migration: contemplating the future of forestry and agriculture in the middle-hills of Nepal

Abstract

Nepal has experienced rapid transitions in forest and agricultural practices over the last several decades. This study compares surveys of forest cover, land use, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of six sites in Sindhu Kabhre and Palanchok Districts conducted in 1992 and 2017. We correlated these transformations with changes in forest cover as documented with remotely sensed images. We found that forest cover has increased tremendously; farmers are less reliant on forests and forest products, and occupational multiplicity, where households create a nexus of activities, some on farm and others elsewhere, may offer a stable situation for the future of these villages.