Drivers of D&D, Gender and REDD+: A case of Nepal

Rahul KarkiNaya S Paudel

Dil B Khatri

Paris, 3 December 2015

Outline of the presentation

• Objective of the study• Methodology • Study findings • Conclusion and implications

Objective of the study• Analyse the responses to policies that affect

forest cover and land use • Identify, quantify and explain the differential

roles of men and women along the value chain of the forest based commodities

• Identify the preferences of men and women to different REDD+ benefits and incentives

• Draw implications to REDD+ policy process

Forest product use scenario

• Forest areas decreased from 45.5% (1964)- 38.1% (1978) – 29% (1994)

• Deforestation rate 1.7% (between 1978-1994)(DFRS/FRISP 1999); 1.63 (1990-2005) (FAO 2005:10); Forest area decreased at 2.7 percent and shrub lands increased with 12.7% (1991-2001) (CBS, 2008). Terai 0.06% during (1990- 2000) (DoF 2005); Terai 1.3% (1978-1990) (DOF 2005)

Year 2011 2020 Ecological region

Demand

Supply Demand Supply

Terai 1.46 1.15 1.67 1.53Hills 1.72 1.81 1.87 2.32

Year 2011 2020Ecological regions Demand Supply Demand SupplyTerai 5.3 2.58 5.48 3.72Hills 4.4 5.44 4.27 6.96

Timber (million m3 )

Fuelwood (million tons/yr)

Source: Kanel et al. 2012

Nepal REDD+ Readiness

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20132014

-2015

R-PIN R-PP

Establishment of REDD Cell, MoFSC

National REDD+

Strategy

ER-PIN

MTR

National REDD+ Strategy outline framework

REDD Readiness Phase

ER-PD

ERPA

…

Source: REDD IC

Women and marginalized groups still express dissatisfaction over their representation in the overall process

Methodology

MethodologyDocument and literature review

Key informant interview (N=21)

Meetings with District level SHs

Focus group discussion (N=6)

Household survey (N=150)

Local and National Validation workshops

Findings

Major source of household income in research sites

GMF a major source of timber and fuelwood

A. Responses to policies affecting land use/forest cover

Responses to policies affecting land use changeActive participation of men and women in forest management; D&D controlled to some extent

Introduction of community based forest management (Forest Act 1993; MPFS 1989)

Conservative measures to control D&D (CF guideline)

Collection in the night time, quick and unscrupulous harvesting techniques applied

Discourage encroachment of forest land (eviction, court cases)

Expansion of settlement area; mostly women left behind while men go for foreign employment; agricultural expansion

More protective measure adopted; Lengthy government decision process on forest product supply (Public Procurement Act 2007)

Delay in forest product supply in the market; black market rampant; certain people esp. men derive more benefits in different steps of value chain

“The local community including my family has been protecting and managing our community forest. They have assigned a local forest guard to take care of CF. So, everybody will know if we go to the CF to collect fuel wood and timber illegally, So, we prefer to go to the government forest where it is comparatively easy to escape”A local participant during FGD in Kapilvastu

“Women have a huge responsibility – cook food, take care of children, fetch fuelwood from forest and they have no time to take part in the CFUG meetings that make decisions on the rules regarding resource use in their forest. And how can one blame a women on breaking forest rules”A woman member, Janakalyan CFUG, Nawalparasi

B. Value Chain Analysis

Average investment: 4 hr/cft (equivalent to NRs 242/cft)

Average selling price: NRs 3,000/cft

Benefit: 858%

Men dominate the timber value chain

•Timber trade involves several steps in value chain•Role of men is dominant in timber trade value chain•Timber trading is lucrative in terms of benefit but traders generally are considered as the smugglers•Timber value chain especially from collection to transportation node demands group work•Timber is transported using vehicles mainly motor bikes and bicycles and there is risk associated during transportation

Value chain attitude

• Ineffective forest product supply mechanism•Lack of sustainable forest management practices•Poor law enforcement•Processing/sawing of logs without considering market needs•High market price of timber and continuous increase in demand•Mostly selling in the local market•Lack of proper legal channel for timber trade

Value chain enabling/disabling

factors

•Mostly, women are involved in overall value chain of fuel wood residing near the forests and road-head towns.

•Women transport fuelwood on their headback while men use bicycles. •Women travel long distances and take a risk of fuelwood collection illegally from government

forest. • Money obtained from sales of fuelwood is largely spent on household activites.

Value chain attitude

• Open access of government forest and weak law enforcement.• Increased demand of fuelwood as source of energy in highway tea shops /hotel.• Settlements are located close to forest and market.• Some of the settlers are member of CF.• High financial incentives with no cash investments.• Inefficient and ineffective fuelwood supply system of the government.

Value chain enabling/disabling factors

Colle

ction

Average days of involvement: 189 days/yearAverage time investment:NRs 55 equivalent time/bhariAverage volume of collection: 230 bhari/year

Tran

spor

tatio

nAverage days of involvement:189 days/yearAverage time investment: NRs 58 equivalent time/bhariAverage volume of transportation: 230 bhari/year

Sale

/end

cons

umer

s

Average days of involvement: 189 days/yearAverage time investment: NRs 17 equivalent timeAverage volume of selling: 230 bhari/year To

tal

Average investment: NRs 130 equivalent time/ bhariAverage selling price: NRs 200/bhariBenefit: 53%

Colle

ction

Average days of involvement: 177days/yearAverage time investment:NRs 54 equivalent time/bhariAverage volume of collection: 214 bhari/year

Tran

spor

tatio

n

Average days of involvement:177 days/yearAverage time investment: NRs 60 equivalent time/bhariAverage volume of transportation: 214 bhari/year

Sale

/end

con

sum

ersAverage days of

involvement: 177days/yearAverage time investment: NRs 15 equivalent timeAverage volume of selling: 214 bhari/year

Tota

l

Average investment: NRs 130 equivalent time/ bhariAverage selling price: NRs 200/bhariBenefit: 53%

Women

Men

Women and men derive same benefit from fuelwood

C. Preferences to REDD+ benefits

Preferences to REDD+ payment

Preferences on in-kind payment

Infrastructure

Skill/vocational training

Right over forest resources Other0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

28%53%

17%2%

43%

42%65%

33%

57% 58% 35% 67%

Inkind payment preference from REDD+

FemaleMaleTotal

Preferences on mode of REDD+ payment

Conclusion and implications • Huge pressure on forest for timber and fuelwood

Recognize and compensate forest-based livelihoodsScale up investment in non-forestry sector employment programmeIncrease investment and promote gender friendly fuelwood efficient and alternative energy technologies (ICS, biogas)

• Women mostly involved in fuelwood while timber activities are dominated by men and derive more benefit from both products

• Hardships among women in forest product value chain is highPromote and support women's access and control over productive resourcesPromote vocational education and skill-based training opportunities for enterprise development

• Men and women have differential preferences on REDD+ benefits Recognize the multiple preferences on alternative land use and benefits from REDD+

Thank You!This research was funded by UK aid from the UK Government, however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the UK Government.