Stakeholder collaboration, adaptive management and social learning: a perspective for community forestry in Nepal

Abstract

This note highlights the findings of a recent research on Adaptive Collaborative Management (ACM) of forest in which an assessment of ACM situation in eight selected community forestry sites in Nepal is made. The objective of the research is to explore connection between ACM and outcomes in forest condition and livelihoods in different conditions. The research focused on two inter-linked elements: collaboration and adaptive management. In this research, collaboration among various interests groups within FUGs and between FUGs and six different types of stakeholders is assessed in relation to outcomes on forest condition and
livelihoods. Similarly, adaptive management of forest at FUG level is assessed in terms of four key interrelated components, namely: mental models, shared vision, collective learning and systems thinking.
The evidences indicate that at all levels, decision-makers have overlooked the complexity and dynamism of the management issues and contexts. They have not only limited appreciation of monitoring the plans as they are put into practice but also limited tendency to challenge their own assumptions in which the plans are based. Forest User Groups (FUGs) as well as their collaborating institutions mostly follow "trial and error" or "unmonitored experiences" approaches to action and learning. As a result, the quality of individual as well as collaborative forest management decisions and actions are seriously affected, leading to sub-optimal outcomes on both forest condition and livelihoods. Key findings on collaboration and adaptive management are summarized also.