For the REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20:
Development of REDD+ Strategy for Nepal
Draft Inception Report
Main Authors:
Dhruba Acharya, Dilli Raj Khanal, Hari Prasad Bhattarai , Eveline Trines
Contributing Authors: Wouter van Goor and Kars Riemer
Face the Future, The Netherlands
In association with Arbonaut, Finland; Practical Solution Consultancy Nepal (PSPL) and Nepal
Environmental and Scientific Services (NESS)
Amsterdam, 4 July 2014
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Project Title:
Development of REDD+ Strategy for Nepal
Project Number:
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Country:
Nepal
WB Consultant:
The Consortium:
Face the Future B.V., The Netherlands
Oy Arbonaut, Finland
The Nepal Environmental and Scientific Services P. Ltd., Nepal
Practical Solution Consultancy P. Ltd., Nepal
Contact person:
Eveline Trines
Phone:
+31 612 47 47 41
Email:
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
1
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................4
1.1
Description of the assignment ................................................................................................ 4
1.2
Milestones to date .................................................................................................................. 5
1.3
Inception report structure....................................................................................................... 5
2
Strategic Approach .........................................................................................................................6
2.1
General issues.......................................................................................................................... 6
2.2
Steps along the way................................................................................................................. 8
3
Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 10
3.1
WP 1: Inception ..................................................................................................................... 10
3.2
WP 2: Identification, validation and prioritisation of Drivers of Deforestation and Forest
Degradation, Strategy options and intervention activities. .............................................................. 10
3.3
WP 3-Implementation approach for the REDD+ strategy ..................................................... 19
3.4
WP 4: Role of non-forest sector in REDD+ implementation ................................................. 24
3.5
WP 5: Role of local communities in REDD+ activities ........................................................... 27
3.6
WP6: Elaboration of the REDD+ Strategy Report .................................................................. 32
4
Relationship between the Work Package and the Framework Structure for the REDD+ Strategy33
5
Expected outputs ........................................................................................................................ 42
6
Planning....................................................................................................................................... 43
REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell ............................................................................................... 46
Annex 1: References .............................................................................................................................. 47
Annex 2: “Consolidated framework structure for National REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal” .................. 49
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1 Introduction
1.1
Description of the assignment
Nepal is implementing a series of activities as stipulated in the Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP)
to prepare itself for a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)
mechanism to harness potential benefits of REDD+ implementation in future. Nepal believes that
participation in the international REDD+ mechanism has potential to generate carbon revenues as
well as non-carbon benefits for the country. Nepal further envisions that REDD+ implementation will
assist in advancing sustainable forest management, the integral design of various sectoral policies
that optimise cross-sectoral synergies, and will lead ultimately to an improvement of forest law
enforcement and governance at large. A sound REDD+ architecture will also help in achieving Nepal's
obligation to contribute to global low carbon emission development pathways and the global
sustainable development agenda.
The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and bilateral/multilateral donors are supporting Nepal
to prepare itself for the participation in a future international "REDD+ mechanisms". The objective of
Nepal's REDD+ Readiness is to participate in the REDD+ process and benefit from the potentially
emerging performance-based payment systems for REDD+ within the context of the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). lt is the intend that performance-based payments
(compensation of a reduction of emissions and/or enhancement/enlargement of the sink capacity)
will be based on sound social and environmental policies, plans and programs to address drivers of
deforestation and forest degradation so that GHG emissions can be significantly reduced through
biological sequestration of carbon with reference to a credible and marketable reference emission
level (REL)and/or Reference Level (RL). There have been deep concerns however, regarding the
methodological robustness in establishing national REL/RL; and, Monitoring and Measuring,
Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems. Besides that, appropriate policies and institutions are also
critical to facilitate the implementation of REDD+ measures successfully. Therefore, a comprehensive
national REDD strategy is needed to support in developing appropriate policies, the required
institutional framework, honour the UNFCCC-prescribed “Safeguards” (see below), and design proper
implementation modalities for REDD+ in Nepal.
The purpose of the REDD+ strategy is to guide the development of a set of policies and programs for
addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and improving the carbon sink
capacity of the forest. The strategy will be developed in line with the principle of the sustainable
development objectives of Nepal in general and with the national forestry sector vision - forests for
prosperity in particular.
The general objective of this assignment is to develop REDD+ Strategy for Nepal, as guided by the
framework attached in Annex A of the ToR (dated January 2014).
Expected output
The REDD Cell expects to receive a well referenced and comprehensive report on REDD+ Strategy, in
the format given in Annex A of the ToR. The report should be acceptable to all key REDD+
stakeholders including bilateral and multilateral donors and other climate finance instruments for
making decision on investment in REDD in Nepal.
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1.2
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Milestones to date
The following milestones have been achieved by the Consortium to date, including the contract
signing with the Client:
•
An Expression of Interest was written and submitted on February 10, 2014. The Consortium
was shortlisted and received a Request for Proposals dated April 2, 2014;
•
The Consortium constructed a Technical and Financial proposal, which was submitted to the
Client on May 5, 2014;
•
On June 1, 2014, the Consortium received confirmation that the proposal was selected and
the Consortium was invited to attend the contract negotiation meeting held at REDD Cell
premises on June 8, 2014; and,
•
After the successful completion of the contract negotiation, the Contract was signed by the
Client on June 11, 2014, and counter-signed by the Consortium the same day.
A first team meeting is planned for the week from 8-16 July 2014 in Kathmandu.
1.3
Inception report structure
The scope of this report is to give an outline of the approach and strategy that the consortium will
deploy, the methodologies that will be applied to execute the tasks ahead, describe the expected
results, and provide a more detailed planning of the work.
Chapter 2 describes the strategic approach, with the general approach and different project phases
being identified. Chapter 3 describes the methodological approach for each specific task. Chapter 4
outlines the relationships between the Work Packages and the Framework Structure for the REDD+
Strategy Report. Chapter 5 concerns the expected outcome of the tasks and describes the
deliverables. A detailed planning can be found in Chapter 6, listing the identified activities and
providing an overview of the expected dates of output delivery, meetings and planned field visits (to
the extent that can already be anticipated at this point in time).
Literature references are listed in Annex 1.
Annex 2 contains the Annex A associated with the overall contract and outlines the “Consolidated
framework structure for National REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal”.
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2 Strategic Approach
2.1
General issues
Before and since the revised R-PP was generated in 2010, and subsequently been approved, many
studies have been performed on the various key subjects that form the groundwork of an effective
design and implementation of a national REDD+ policy framework. This has resulted in a vast amount
of valuable reports. The REDD Readiness studies that have been performed over the past years (or
are currently being executed) all provide key information necessary for the development of a sound
REDD+ implementation Strategy that is suited to the specific national, regional and local conditions
and requirements of Nepal, and they will therefore form the foundation for the development of this
REDD+ Strategy report. Also research and studies conducted within ongoing projects and pilot
studies and in the area of other, associated non-forestry sectors will be incorporated in the process.
This study will further build on and elaborate these preliminary strategic options by performing
extensive national, regional and local stakeholder interviews and consultations, which are discussed
in more detail in the specific descriptions of the Work Packages in Chapter 3. The consultations will
cover primary and secondary stakeholders amongst government, civil society, community groups and
the private sector - at national to local levels.
Important first-hand sources of information during this project will be:



Key stakeholders and experts:
o Relevant government departments, working groups (e.g. REDD Working Group and
Stakeholder forum) and experts listed in the R-PP
o Other relevant experts, for instance:
 relevant ongoing project-/program managers,
 authors of (scientific) reports,
o Stakeholder groups consulted and partner organisations involved in the process of
developing the R-PP, ER-PIN, and all studies conducted to date for the REDD Cell in
the process of REDD+ Readiness
Stakeholders and experts consulted during the Regional Consultations
Outcome of Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) included in this project.
In addition, the work will connect with ongoing activities and programs that bear relevance to this
study. Ongoing programs with which synergies will be pursued include the following:


World Bank (supported) initiatives:
o The Bank’s Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR),
o The Poverty Alleviation Fund II (P105860),
o The proposed Strengthening of Regional Cooperation on Wildlife Protection Project
(P121210)
o The ongoing PROFOR forestry sector ESW (P120509)
Other implementing agencies, donors and support programs:
o E.g. . US-AID, DFID, RECOFTC, NORAD, etc.
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

FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Research Programs, for instance:
o The results from the “Kyoto: Think Global, Act Local” project; and,
o The IFPRI “Community Forestry Program”
NGO activities, from for instance:
o WWF (Hariyo Ban Project)
o ICIMOD
o ANSAB
o CIFOR
o SNV
o And others.
In addition, a preliminary list of secondary data sources has been identified; sources that the team
will assess, and draw and build on from, where possible and appropriate. These include:











The R-PP and reports and materials referred to in the R-PP;
The ER-PIN and reports and materials referred to in the ER-PIN;
The various REDD Readiness study reports, among which:
o National study on RL/REL of Nepal
o SESA report
o Study on Political Economy of Land use in Nepal
o Study on the Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation
o Study on the Value of the Forests in Nepal
o Ongoing work on MRV
o Etc.
Data made available in the Resource Centre of the REDD Cell (http://mofsc-redd.gov.np/)
Previous studies in support of the REDD Readiness Preparation Program;
National forest policy, rules and regulations;
Policies from other relevant sectors
National forest inventory data such as the Forest Resource Assessment (DFRS);
Forest outlook studies (MoFSC);
Data from some other ministries in Nepal (regarding ecotourism, national parks and wildlife,
hydrology, water regulation, livestock and agriculture as well as urban planning);
Existing reports, material and data produced by relevant organisations, included, but not
limited to: USAID, UNDP, DFID, FAO, CIFOR, RECOFTC, ICIMOD, ANSAB, SNV, IGES.
In order to perform the tasks under this study effectively, a clear overview of previous work in the RPP process is essential. All existing data from previous stages in the R-PP process should be made
readily available by the Client at the beginning of the assignment. Other relevant data,
documentation or references to key information and documentation that the Client can provide
would speed up the start-up process and early stages of the work considerably.
Other WPs-specific sources of information are cited in chapter 3 itself.
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In order for us to successfully execute this assignment we have identified the following critical
subjects on which we are in need of support:




Guidance in stakeholder analysis, secondary data and literature gathering
Facilitate approach and communication with key stakeholders, government departments and
communities
Provide feedback on questions, clarification requests
Provide advice on problems that may arise.
The fact that the REDD Cell will appoint a focal officer for this specific trajectory, that will have a
(near) full time commitment to the successful execution and completion of this assignment, will be a
major asset, and enhances the channels of communication potentially significantly.
2.2
Steps along the way
The project can be split up in 3 main phases:
1. The inception phase;
2. The research and assessment phase; and,
3. The design, compilation and reporting phase.
2.2.1
The inception phase
In the inception phase the team coordinates all the work and presents the planning of the work to
the Client in the inception report. That report is the guiding document throughout the entire project
period. It outlines the practical details of how the team intents to implement the approach and
methodology as approved by the Client and agree in the contract. Each consortium partner describes
the activities that are undertaken in each step along the way, leaving some flexibility of course to
adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
This inception report is the end result of that phase.
2.2.2
The research and assessment phase
In this phase the “fieldwork” will be conducted: collecting data and information and assessing not
only the literature but also the current situation in Nepal vis-à-vis the forestry sector. If REDD+ is to
be implemented successfully, the strategy must be facilitating a transition from where Nepal is at this
moment, and where it needs to be, also in terms of institutional design, if it is to implement the
REDD+ strategy and activities successfully. This transition itself will be an integral part of the strategy.
The methodology that will be followed for each of the study areas is elaborated in chapter 3, and the
relationship with the sections in the REDD+ Strategy Report is presented in chapter 4..
2.2.3
The design, compilation and reporting phase
Elaborating a good REDD+ Strategy document is virtually comparable to putting together a big
puzzle: we know what the end picture must look like, but putting the right pieces in the right spot,
and describing how this is to be done, is not a simple task. As we all know forestry is touching on
virtually any sector in Nepal (and that is the case in many countries). That also means that working in,
or operating the forestry sector cannot be done in isolation: it must be in sync with what is important
in other sectors. If, for instance, the timber demand in an area is exceeding the supply, it is
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counterproductive to gazette more protected forest areas for tourism for instance in that region,
without providing alternative sources of timber supply. The chances of being successful in projecting
the forest and stopping the harvesting are fairly slim. The challenge with designing a potentially
successful REDD+ strategy is to find ways in meeting everybody’s needs in the best possible
combination. All this whilst remaining realistic in what is achievable: there will be trade-offs. But
anticipation pitfalls, and avoiding them in the design stage will greatly enhance the chances of
success when it comes to implementing the REDD+ Strategy in due course.
As the results of the work performed within the work packages are interlinked and influencing the
result of each other, it will be a daunting task to efficiently synthesize and bring all information
together but the expectation is that by performing the different tasks in parallel and in close
collaboration with all the experts, this will peak not before the last month of the study. However, the
write up of the coherent strategy will be a work in progress throughout the project. At least one
iteration is foreseen in the programme.
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3 Methodology
3.1
WP 1: Inception
During the inception phase the fore lying inception report is generated. This report will function as
work plan throughout the implementation of the project. The work plan is in support of the
elaboration of a draft REDD+ Strategy for submission to the REDD Cell. The objective in general of a
REDD+ Strategy is to facilitate the identification and description of appropriate policies, processes
and activities that are associated with REDD+. In this inception report the work plan is laid out how
the material will be brought together that will enable the formulation of such a REDD+ Strategy.
3.2
WP 2: Identification, validation and prioritisation of Drivers of Deforestation and
Forest Degradation, Strategy options and intervention activities.
3.2.1 Introduction
The R-PP has identified 9 major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Nepal as: High
dependency on forest and forest products (timber, firewood and other NTFPs), Illegal harvest of
forest products, Unsustainable harvesting practices, Forest fire, Encroachment, Overgrazing,
Infrastructure development, Resettlement, and Expansion of invasive species. However, their thrust,
magnitude and effect extensively vary across the physiographic regions of Tarai, Chure and inner
Tarai, Mid Hills, and High Mountains due to variation in bio-physical situation, economical and sociopolitical context and forest-human interactions.
Forests of the Tarai are declining both in area and quality. The deforestation rate was 1.3 percent per
year between 1978/79-1990/911, which is still 0.4 percent per year during 1990/91 to 2010/112. Four
different management regimes exist: Government-managed forests, Protection Area System,
Community Forest Management and Collaborative Forest Management. An “undeclared policy of
removing 4 D trees (Dead, Diseased, Died, and Decayed)”3 has hampered the management in
government-managed forests Community forest hand over is considerably reduced or even halted
due to distant user conflict and the collaborative forest management is still in piloting phase being
practiced in the 9 Tarai districts.
The deforestation and degradation of forests is more rampant in Chure and inner Tarai over the last
few years. The physiological characteristics (fragility, marginality, relatively inaccessibility) and
socioeconomic features make Chure and inner Tarai unique and vulnerable. Recently the
government of Nepal declared the Chure as Environment Conservation Area and is planning to
implement integrated environment conservation program.
The forests in the Mid-hills are better managed reversing the deforestation and degradation due to
massive expansion of community forests and pro-poor leasehold forests. By now, over 18,000
Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) manage approximately 1.7 million ha of forests and over
7000 Leasehold Forest User Groups (LFUGs) manage 43,000 ha of degraded forests.
1
2
3
DoF, (2005). Forest Cover Change Analysis of the Tarai Districts (1990/91-2000/01). Kathmandu, Nepal: Department
of Forests.
FRA/DFRS (2014). Tarai Forests of Nepal (2010 – 2012). Babarmahal, Kathmandu: Forest Resource Assessment
Nepal Project/Department of Forest Research and Survey.
Rastra Bank, May 2013: Study of Economic Activities: A Semi-Annual Report for fiscal year 2012/2013.
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The forests in the High Mountains, particularly, in the lower temperate region and sub alpine and
alpine areas are under extreme pressure for fodder, firewood and building materials. Forest fire,
Overgrazing, Indiscriminate product extraction, Illegal trades, Infrastructure expansion, and
Development of new economic frontiers are identified as the important drivers of deforestation and
degradation in the High Mountain areas.
Annex 2b-1 of the R-PP lists the specific drivers, their underlying causes and preliminary strategic
options. These drivers, underlying causes, strategic options and key interventions not only vary
between physiographic regions and but may even vary within the region. Annex H of Nepal’s ER-PIN
to FCPF Carbon Fund (March, 2014) has listed the variability of drivers and underlying causes shown
by different studies in the Emission Reductions Program Area that includes 12 districts of the Tarai
Arc Landscape (TAL). Review of all these relevant reports, including the report on the impact and
magnitude of deforestation drivers and the synthesis report, as being developed by the Consortium
as part of the Analytical Study on Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land Use
and the Carbon Emissions from the Drivers of DD, and execution of extensive consultations will
further distinct, validate, update and prioritize national, regional and local drivers, impacts, strategies
and intervention activities.
These validated, updated and prioritized strategic options will be thoroughly assessed in terms of
impact (trade-offs, opportunities, risks) and feasibility. This will assure that the implications and
impact of proposed strategies are reflected upon. Moreover it will facilitate proper management,
monitoring and decision making. Additional to the drafting of input for the Strategy report, a risk
analysis of the major types of risk will be constructed.
3.2.2 Review and cataloguing existing data and information
The drivers of deforestation and forest degradation identified by all studies and in all physiographic
regions are diverse, complex and interconnected. To understand the complexity and
interconnectedness the knowledge and information need to be sought in a wide range of areas. The
consultant team has already started the cataloguing of existing knowledge and information that
relates with the proximate and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in Nepal. A
provisional list of studies and reports has been compiled (table 1). Additional studies and reports will
be included during the work itself. The drivers of DD for each physiographic region identified by
different studies have been tabulated (table 2). These tabulations will be reviewed and verified with
the synthesized and commonly agreed knowledge on the drivers of DD and their effects as identified
as part of the Analytical Study on Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land Use
and the Carbon Emissions from the Drivers of DD.
Nepal’s Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) of 2010 and Nepal’s ER-PIN to FCPF Carbon Fund
submitted in March, 2014 will be extensively reviewed and analyzed to assess the government's plan
and commitments.
Table 1: Provisional list of relevant studies/reports on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
1. COMFORTC (2012). Study on Drivers of Deforestation and Degradation of Forests in High
Mountain Regions of Nepal, A study commissioned by REDD-Forestry and Climate
Change Cell of the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MFSC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
2. MFSC, (2014). People and Forests– An SMF-Based Emission Reduction Program in
Nepal’s Tarai Arc Landscape, Nepal’s ER-PIN to FCPF Carbon Fund– March, 2014
3. MoFSC. (2004). Tarai Arc Landscape Nepal, Strategic Plan 2004 - 2014 Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation , Kathmandu, Nepal.
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4. MoFSC. (2010). Nepal’s Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP): REDD 2010-2013.
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
5. The Analytical Study on Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land
Use and the Carbon Emissions from the Drivers of DD
6. UN-REDD Program, (2013). Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation and
responses to address them in Nepal.
7. WWF Nepal/ Hariyo Ban Program, (2012). Biological and socioeconomic study in
corridors of Tarai Arc landscape, Nepal.
8. WWF Nepal/ Hariyo Ban Program, (2013). Chitwan Annapurna Landscape: Drivers of
Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Nepal.
9. Paudel, N.S., Khatri, D.B., Khanal, D.R. and Karki, R. 2013. The context of REDD+ in
Nepal: Drivers, agents and institutions. Occasional Paper 81. CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia.
3.2.3
Collecting additional data and information
3.2.3.1
Literature review and desk survey
During the desk review the forest cover change dynamics and quantification of carbon stocks will be
assessed based on existing literature.
Information on changes in forest cover are often conflicting and confusing and the reliability of data
sets and confidence levels of landuse surveys and forest inventories in Nepal is equally often
suboptimal. However, the recently issued regional study from the FRA/DFRS for the Tarai Forests has
compiled the existing data and information in the best possible manner for the Tarai, and provides
the best possible landuse and forest cover information /data for that region and has filled where
possible or highlights information gaps on forest cover change.
For the quantification of carbon stocks the estimation of the carbon stock of forests of Nepal made
by Forest Resource Assessment Project (FRA) will be used possibly in combination with the study on
deforestation and forest degradation currently being compiled. The FRA/DFRS (2014) has published
its report of Tarai Forests with species wise growing stock, biomass and carbon stock (above ground
and below ground) by forest type, and development region. And similar reports for remaining
physiographic regions are expected to be published soon. However, taking FRA/DFRS data of 20102012 as a baseline figure, annual carbon sequestration will be adjusted by deducting the total loss in
volume due to timber harvest, fuel-wood harvest, forest fire, diversion of forests into other landuse
and encroachment of forest land etc as per the guidelines provided by the IPCC Good Practice
Guidance 2003 and/or the IPCC Inventory Guidelines for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use
(AFOLU) (2006).
The DD for each physiographic region identified by different studies (Table 2) will be further analyzed
where possible and categorized by the types of drivers (proximate/underlying). Furthermore, the
temporal variability of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation will be analyzed and a gap
analysis will be executed to identify information gaps, which will be addressed through the
consultations.
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Table 2. Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation identified in various studies:
Studies
MoFSC, 2004*
(Tarai
Arc
Landscape)
MoFSC, 2010 (R1.
PP)
WWF
Nepal/
Hariyo
Ban
Program, 2012*
UN-REDD
Program, 2013*
Multi
stakeholder
consultations
conducted
for
ER-PIN
development at
national and subnational
level
(2013) *
COMFORTC
(2012)
(High Mountain
Areas)
Drivers identified
1. Forest conversion,
2. Uncontrolled grazing in forests,
3. Unsustainable timber harvesting,
4. Unsustainable fuel wood extraction,
5. Forest fires,
6. Churia watershed degradation and
7. Wildlife-poaching and human-wildlife
conflict
1. High dependency on forests and
forest products (timber, firewood, and
other NTFPs)
2. Illegal harvest of forest products
3. Unsustainable Harvesting Practices
4. Forest fire
5. Encroachment
6. Overgrazing
7. Infrastructure development
8. Resettlement
9. Expansion of invasive species
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Land use alterations,
Forest encroachment,
Forest Fire,
Livestock grazing
Illegal logging and wildlife
(poaching)
Human Wildlife Conflict
Invasive species
Infrastructure and
Climate induced threats
Illegal logging,
Encroachment,
Fuel-wood consumption
Roads
Mining,
Grazing
Encroachment
Open grazing
Firewood collection
Resettlement and
development
5. Illegal cutting of trees
6. Forest fires
Summary of the underlying causes
 Migration and population growth
 Low agricultural productivity
 The struggle for land
 Lack of off-farm livelihood
opportunities
 Inadequate access to and
management of forest resources
 Cross border issues
 Poverty and lack of livelihood
alternatives;
 Weak governance mechanisms and
weak law enforcement
 Inefficient distribution mechanism for
timber and firewood
 High cross-border demand for forest
products
 Inadequate budget for research and
development
 Political interference
 Unclear land tenure, policy and
planning
Not specifically identified
trade
Infrastructure
















1.
2.
3.
4.
Forest fire
Over grazing
Indiscriminate product extraction
Illegal trades






Poverty and high dependency on
forests;
Increase demand for forest products;
Weak low enforcement;
Corruption
Population growth
Political instability
Poor technology in forest management
Low agriculture productivity
opulation growth and migration from
hills
Poverty
Unemployment
Political instability
Weak law enforcement
Lack of coordination among the
various government agencies
Floods
Lack of resources in DFOs to control
illegal activities
Lack of land use policy
Corruption
Demographic factors
Policy and institutional factors
Governance factors
Economic factors
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WWF
Nepal/
Hariyo
Ban
Program, (2013)
(Chitwan
Annapurna
Landscape)
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
5. Infrastructure expansion
6. Development of new economic
frontiers
Chure:
1. Over, and unsustainable harvesting
2. Encroachment of forestlands for
agricultural expansion
3. Infrastructure development
4. Resettlement and urban expansion
5. Forest fire
6. Invasion by alien plant species
7. Overgrazing
Mid-Hills:
1. Unplanned and unregulated opening of
road tracks by local Village
Development Committees
2. Forest fire
3. Invasion by alien plant species
4. Stone mining and landslides
High Mountain:
1. Forest fire
2. Overgrazing


Cultural factors
Lack of research and development


High forest dependency
Widespread poverty and very limited
livelihood alternatives
Weak law enforcement and overall
poor forestry sector governance
Lack of scientific forest management
Financial and human resource
constraints in district forest offices
Poor coordination among different
government and non-government
agencies.




*As illustrated in MFSC, (2014). People and Forests– An SMF-Based Emission Reduction Program in Nepal’s Tarai Arc
Landscape, Nepal’s ER-PIN to FCPF Carbon Fund– March, 2011
3.2.3.2 Consultations
A number of consultations, meetings, focused group discussions and key informant interviews will be
held. We will consult with Nepal’s REDD Working Group, Multi-Stakeholder forum and REDD Forestry
and Climate Change Cell for detailed advice and guidance, to review progress, help identify
information sources, establish institutional links and, for discussing issues or problems that may arise
during the process of assignment. Benefits will be taken, where appropriate, from the stakeholders
identified and consulted in the course of the REDD+ Readiness assignment ‘Analytical Study on
Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land Use and the Carbon Emissions from the
Drivers of DD’.
Consultations will be held at national, regional and local/district as envisioned by the ToR. The
consultations will cover primary and secondary stakeholders and will give particular attention to
those stakeholders that are less easy to approach because of geographic remoteness or lesser levels
of being organized/represented such as minorities, particular ethnic groups, the extreme poor and
disenfranchised, the landless, women and children and remote communities. All consultations will be
designed using participatory methodologies to enhance ownership and capture the knowledge and
experiences of all stakeholders.
The consultations of this task will be organized and guided by KE-2 and executed in parallel with the
envisioned consultations in Task 3, 4 and 5. 3.2.3.3 Tools and methodologies of the consultations
One of the methods that will be applied to further prioritise DD, underlying causes, strategy options
and interventions is a priority matrix that will be used during the consultations. On the basis of the
work described in the previous subsections such a priority matrix will be developed.
The set of social, political, institutional, technical, economical, and environmental criteria proposed
in the R-PP for the participatory methodology is reviewed and developed (Table 3), which will be
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applied to assess the strategic options. In all consultations, Indigenous people and other minority
groups will be invited in particular to participate.
Table 3. Criteria for assessing strategic options
Criteria
Social
Economic
Environmental
Policy and governance
Technical
Variables
Social inclusion of poor and marginalized groups
Poverty alleviation effect
Equity of resulting benefits
Opportunity cost, forgone benefit from alternative options
Implementation and maintenance costs
Economic benefits for different stakeholders
Carbon emissions reductions
Biodiversity loss or gain
Water and soil conservation
Adaptability to climate change and climate variability
Political feasibility of implementation / alignment with existing Forest Law
and Policy
Alignment with existing governance structures and mechanisms
Alignment with national development strategies
Addressing households concerns
Harmony with law and policies
Interest and commitment of implementing agencies
Continuity of emissions reductions, risk of reversal
Potential leakage and additionality
Doability
Overall contribution to reduced emissions and savings
3.2.3.4 National consultations
Three consultations will be held at national level with national level stakeholders of civil society,
community groups, educational institutions, researchers, and government institutions. The list of
agencies to be consulted is identified in Table 5. This list will be updated in consultation with REDD
Cell. The first national consultation will focus on sharing of the approaches and methodologies and
get suggestions from national stakeholders. The second will be sharing of the progress and the
preliminary findings to key stakeholders and the third will be sharing of the outcomes of the strategic
process (table 4).
Table 4. National consultation plan
S.N.
Date
Place
Kind of national
consultation
Inception workshop
Objectives
1
July/August
2014
Kathmandu
To share and consult on the process,
approaches and methodologies and get
suggestions
2
September,
2014
Kathmandu
Progress sharing
workshop
To share and consult on the progress
and preliminary findings.
3
November,
2014
Kathmandu
Final sharing workshop
To disseminate the outcome of the
REDD+ strategy.
Table 5. List of Stakeholders for National Consultations
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Government institutions:
Civil society
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC)
Nepal Foresters’ Association
Department of Forest (DoF)
Federation of Community
(FECOFUN)
Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS)
Forestry
Users Nepal
Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed
Management (DSCWM)
Association Collaborative Forest Users Nepal (ACOFUN)
Department of National
Conservation (DNPWC)
The Himalayan Grassroots Women's Natural Resource
Management Association (HIMAWANTI)- Nepal
Parks
and
Wildlife
Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN)
Department of Plant Resources
DANAR- Nepal
REDD-Forestry and Climate Change cell
NGO Federation
National planning Commission
Forest Action Nepal
Water and Energy Commission
Nepal Federation of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ)
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
Ministry of Agriculture Development (MAD)
Association of Forest Technicians Nepal
Ranger
Association of Nepal
Forest Products Development Board (FPDB)
Junior Forest Technician Association
Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources
Academic institutions
Nepal Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)
Institute of Forestry
Singhdurbar Vaidhyakhana
Kathmandu Forestry College
Timber Corporation of Nepal (TCN)
INGO/Inter-governmental
Projects:
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Forest Resource Assessment Project
Care Nepal
Multi Stakeholder Forestry Programme
International Center
Development (ICIMOD)
WWF-Hariyo Ban Program
for
Integrated
Mountain
United Nations Development Programme Nepal (UNDP)
Private sector
World Bank Nepal
Private Forest Network
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Nepal
Medicinal Plants Processing Companies
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)
FNCCI
Department for International Development, UK (DFID) –
Nepal
Federation of Forest Product Traders
Federation of Herbal Trade
3.2.3.5 Regional consultations
Regional consultations will be held in each region with regional forestry officials, representatives of
civil society organisations, representatives of local forest users, NGOs, INGOs, academics and other
stakeholders. Preliminary findings will be shared and suggestions and views with regards to DD,
strategic options and in other relevant areas will be sought. The regional consultation workshops are
proposed as follows (Table 6):
Table 6. Regional consultations
Region
Venue
Representative
Ecology
Eastern
development
region
Biratnagar/D
hankuta
Hills/Tarai
Central
Hetauda
Siwalik,
hills,
Potential participants in the workshop
Due date
CDO, DFO, representative of networks such as
FECOFUN, NEFIN, DANAR and HIMAWANTI,
political leaders, representatives of DDC and
VDCs, and journalists
August II week
Regional level stakeholders such as RD of
August III week
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development
regions
bhawar, tarai
Western
development
regions
Pokhara
Mid-hills
Mid-western
development
regional
Ghorahi,
Dang
Inner tarai
Far-western
development
regions
Dhangadi,
Kailali
Tarai
MFSC, Agriculture, Regional Administrators,
DFO, Warden, representative of networks such
as ACOFUN, FECOFUN, NEFIN, DANAR and
HIMAWANTI, political leaders, VDCs and
municipality and journalists
Regional level stakeholders such as RD of
MFSC, Agriculture, Regional Administrators,
CDO, DFO, representative of NTNC/ACAP,
Community members of Fewa, Rupa and
Begnas, representative of networks such as
FECOFUN, NEFIN, DANAR and HIMAWANTI,
political leaders, representatives Pokhara submunicipalities, DDC Kaski, journalists
Regional
level
stakeholders,
Regional
Administrators, CDO, DFO, Community
members, representative of MSFP and
networks such as FECOFUN, NEFIN, DANAR and
HIMAWANTI, political leaders, representatives
municipality, DDC, representative of BNP,
BZUC, journalists
Regional level stakeholders such as RD of
MFSC, Agriculture, Regional Administrators,
CDO, DFO, representative of Hariyo Ban, TAL,
Community
members
of
Ghodaghodi,
representative of networks such as NEFUG,
FECOFUN, NEFIN, DANAR and HIMAWANTI,
political leaders, representatives Dhangadi
municipality, DDC Kailali, representative of
SNP, BZUC, representative Sonaha group, and
journalists
September I week
September II week
September II week
3.2.3.6 Local/district consultations
A total of 15 local/district level consultations will be held covering all five development regions and
the four main ecological zones of Nepal (Tarai, Chure and inner Tarai, Middle Hills and High
Mountains). These consultation workshops will be held with officials of the line ministries, political
parties, DDC, VDC, civil society organisations, LFUGs including representatives of Dalits, Women,
Indigenous Peoples, Forest User Groups and other relevant stakeholders.
At community level, several Focused Group Discussions and key informant interviews will be held
targeting forest-dependent communities, Dalits, women, and indigenous people. The local/district
consultations are proposed as follows (Table 3.6):
Table 7. Local/district consultations
Region/
district
Potential districts
Eastern
development
region (3)
Centre
development
region (3)
Western
development
region (3)
Mid-western
development
Sankhuwasabha,
Dhankuta, Sunsari
Site
representative/Ecological
belt
High mountain, hills, tarai
Dolakha, Chitwan,
Makwanpur
High mountain, siwalik, inner
tarai
Nawalparasi,
Kapilbastu, Gorkha
High mountain, tarai
Arghakhanchi,
Dang, Banke,
Mid hill, inner tarai, tarai
Potential
respondents/participants
Due date
District government line
agencies such as DFO,
DSCO,
DADO,
local
bodies, FECOFUN, NEFIN,
DANAR and HIMAWANTI,
political
leaders,
development agencies,
forestry, climate change
and conservation projects
and activists, journalists,
I/NGOs as well as
August I week
August II week
August III week
September
week
I
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region (3)
Far-western
development
region (3)
Dadeldhura,
Kanchanpur, Kailali
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Mid hill, tarai
representatives of Dalits,
Women,
Indigenous
Peoples
and
other
relevant stakeholders
September
week
II
3.2.4 Data processing and analysis
Information collected through desk review, consultations including FGDs and key informant
interviews will be categorised, analysed and used where appropriate using the best professional
judgment of the consortium.
The national level data will be obtained from and collected through the analysis of published and
unpublished reports and will be analysed in line with the identified drivers of deforestation and
forest degradation.
The identified strategy options and intervention activities will be further assessed based on the
trade-offs, opportunities, threats, risks and feasibility. The assessment will be informed by the risk
analysis of the major types of risk as referred to in subsection 3.2.1. The outcome of the analysis will
be verified with feedback from stakeholders and the results will be used for the further formulation,
update and prioritization of the strategic options and interventions.
3.2.5 Draft reporting, consultation, upgrading and final reporting
A list of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation prioritized according to physiographic region,
with associated, updated strategy options and intervention activities will be produced out of the desk
study, multi-stakeholder consultations, and the risk assessment.
3.2.6 Work package 2
The work package 2 consists of the following input, main activities, deliverables and team.
Input:
Relevant literature, reports, R-PP and ER-PIN
Main activities:
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
5. Trade-off analysis
6. Analysis of strengths/ opportunities/ challenges/ threats
7. Risk analysis
8. Feasibility analysis
9. Reviewing with stakeholders
10. Additional data collection and processing
11. Construction of a risk framework
12. Structure input for Strategy Report
Input for Task 6
Deliverables:
Team:
Main contributors to this task are KE-2 (who will provide the main input
and who organises and guides the consultation workshops) and KE-3
(who will deliver substantial input on the impact and feasibility analysis)
with technical support from KE-4. Support and output review will be
delivered by KE-1.
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3.3
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
WP 3-Implementation approach for the REDD+ strategy
3.3.1 Introduction
As reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is also an effort to create a financial
value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives to different stakeholders also becomes
essential for reducing emissions from forested lands and encouraging investment in low-carbon
development pathways as a part of a sustainable development strategy. This makes the REDD+
strategy beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation,
sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
The RPP has discussed the implementation framework and its components in detail. Components of
Implementation arrangements as described by RPP consists of: (i) Forest Carbon Ownership and Land
Tenure; (ii) REDD Implementation; (iii) Financing Mechanisms; (iv) Stakeholder Engagement and
Governance; (v) Data Management, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification; and (vi) Institutional and
Governance Reform.
Taking into account the carbon ownership rights and land tenure issues, existing various forms of
institutional structures and arrangements, experiences and lesson learned from pilot projects of
benefit sharing from Nepal and elsewhere, a hybrid framework for REDD implementation at the
national and sub-national levels with a multi-stakeholder approach of implementation and benefit
sharing is proposed. This implies strategic issues on policy, legal and tenure arrangements to be
addressed at the national level, while benefit sharing, financing and monitoring to be dealt at subnational level.
At the national level a high-level Climate Change Council led by the Prime Minister and represented
by various ministries, members of the national planning commission, and experts has been formed.
In addition a multi-stakeholder high-level REDD monitoring body as a REDD Working Group (RWG) is
formed. The REDD Cell under the MFSC is serving as the secretariat for REDD activities. A consortium
of seven institutions representing community-based forest management groups, indigenous peoples,
Dalits, women, an association of forestry professionals and researchers, and various experts has also
been formed to work together on forestry and climate change issues.
At the sub-national level, the DFCC, a multi-stakeholder forum linked with local government bodies
and at the local (VDC) level, Village Forest Coordination Committees (VFCCs) have also been
proposed for linking directly with community-based organizations and groups managing specific
forests under a bundled approach to governing environmental services including carbon.
RPP has also explored three key legal problems i). Recognizing carbon as a forest products or service
and clarifying carbon ownership, and ii) Defining a community-friendly benefit-sharing mechanisms
and Legal status of Forest Carbon Trust Fund) and opportunities of better improvement on the
existing institutions. For example, inclusion of representatives from civil society and RWG and
transforming it into a Board of Directors of Forest Carbon Trust Fund, expansion of District Forest
Coordination Committee (DFCC) and Village Forest Coordination Committee (VFCC) all over the
country and strengthen their institutional capacity as a legal entity at sub-national and local levels
responsible to deal with the issues of REDD +strategy implementation including benefit sharing, fund
management, monitoring and maintaining standards of good governance.
Considering the various forms of community-based forest management in practice and
corresponding institutions, and governance status at government level along with problems of
opportunity cost associated with developing compensation schemes across the various development
regions or districts the RPP has strongly suggested DFCC the best institution also for carbon financing
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and fund management. To ensure transparency and hold the registry accountable to multiple
stakeholders, as well as ensure compliance with REDD quality standards and social safeguards RPP
has also recommended establishing a strong community-friendly public carbon registry as a measure
of an participatory effective and self-data management, monitoring, reporting and verification
system at national as well as sub-national level.
Based on the experience for pilot projects of Nepal and other developing countries and the review of
contemporary literatures, including the RPP on developing implementation framework and
approaches, the following questions have to be discussed in detail with the concerned stakeholders
in order to come up with a common understanding.

What are the policy and legal impediments/gaps related to carbon ownership and land
tenures issues and what could be the potential policy and legal recommendations?

What could/would be a most promising implementation framework or arrangements, its
structure and composition (in terms of membership, gender and social inclusion, and
geographic location) and implementation approach that is more effective, transparent,
accountable?

What could be the best legal financiering entity and financing mechanism that build
ownership and encourage people's participation on REDD + strategy implementation while
maintaining standards of governance?

What could be the appropriate data management, monitoring, reporting and verification at
various levels?

What are the potential areas of institutional and governance reform?
3.3.2 Review and cataloguing existing data and information
The consultant team has started the cataloguing of existing knowledge and information about the
linkages of REDD + in the conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of
forest carbon stocks. Additional studies and reports of REDD+ implementation and pilot projects of
Nepal and elsewhere will be collected and retrieved from websites for exploring highly successful
and effective implementation institutional framework and approaches. A provisional list of
literatures and policy documents are collected/listed for review is given in (table 8).
Review of existing Forest, Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change related laws and policies
will be carried out (as listed in table 8). The institutional context will be assessed and the strength
and weakness of various institutional arrangement discussed and proposed by the RPP will be
analyzed by focusing on the major elements of Institutional framework (policy and legal provision,
gender and social inclusion, geographical representation, decentralization/ delegation of
power/authority, and provision of maintaining good governance (indicators of Governance). Based
on this analysis and consultation appropriate REDD+ implementation framework consisting of
institutional structure, and governance and legal arrangements including social and environmental
safeguards will be identified.
For the monitoring and data/information management and reporting system the existing systems
and capacities will be assessed and National Forest Monitoring System and National Forest
Information Management System will be developed in consistence with UNFCCC.
Table 8. Some relevant literature for the desk review
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1.
Angelsen, A. with Brockhaus, M., Kanninen, M., Sills, E., Sunderlin, W. D. and WertzKanounnikoff, S. (eds) 2009 Realising REDD+: National strategy and policy options. CIFOR,
Bogor, Indonesia.
2.
Brown, D., Seymour, F., and Peskett, L. (2008). ‘How do we achieve REDD co-benefits and
avoid doing harm?’ in A. Angelsen (ed.) Moving ahead with REDD: issues, options and
implications, CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia.
3.
Bushley, B., and Khanal, D.R. (2012). ‘Selling carbon commons: decentralisation, forest
tenure and carbon trading in Nepal’s community forestry’, in L, Naughton-Treves, and C,
Day,(eds) Lessons about land tenure, forest governance and REDD+: case studies from
Africa, Asia and Latin America’, retrieved from: <
http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/ltc/docs/Lessons-about-Land-Tenure-Forest-Governanceand-REDD.pdf>.
4.
CRT/N (2013). ‘An Insight to CDM Projects in Nepal Cookstove CDM Project in Nepal:
Challenges for an NGO’, Conference on Improving Energy Access through Climate
Financing, The Netherlands.
5.
Field, (2012). Guidelines for REDD Plus Negotiators, Foundation for International Law and
Development (FIELD)
6.
IPCC, 2006. Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories – Volume 4 – Agriculture,
Forestry and other Land Use. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan
7.
MFSC, (2014). People and Forests– An SMF-Based Emission Reduction Program in Nepal’s
Tarai Arc Landscape, Nepal’s ER-PIN to FCPF Carbon Fund– March, 2014
8.
MoFSC. (2010). Nepal’s Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP): REDD 2010-2013. Ministry
of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
9.
MoSTE (2011). Climate Change Policy, 2011. Ministry of Science, Technology, and
Environment, Government of Nepal.
10. NAPA (2010). National Adaptation Programme of Actions to Climate Change, Ministry of
Environment, Government of Nepal, September 2010
11. NEFIN, (BS 2068). Community Based REDD Plus: A manual for Trainers of Indigenous
Communities. Localization, Translation and Edited by Kumud Shrestha and others.
12. Ojha, H. (2009). ‘Climate Change, Forestry and Carbon Financing in Nepal’, Journal of
Forest and Livelihood vol. 8 no. 1, Forest Action, Nepal.
13. Practical Action, (2009). Temporal and Spatial Variability of Climate Change Over Nepal
(1976-2005). Practical Action Nepal Office, 2009.
14. REDD Cell (2012). Nepal Specific REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards (Version 1),
August, 2012
15. REDD Cell (2011). Forest Carbon Inventory Guideline (2067).
16. REDD Cell (2011). Study on REDD Plus Piloting in Nepal.
17. REDD Cell (2011). Feasibility Study of REDD Plus in Collaborative Forest Management
18. REDD Cell (2011). Role of Forest on Climate Change Adaptation.
19. REDD Cell (2013). Nepal Monitoring &Evaluation Framework for the REDD+ R-PP process
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20. REDD Cell (2013). Mid Term Report World Bank FCPF Grant on REDD Readiness
21. Skutsch, M. and De Jong, BHJ (2010), ‘The permanence debate’, Science, vol. 327, p. 1079.
22. Stern, N. (2006). ‘Stern Review: The economics of climate change. Published by Her
Majesty’s Treasury, UK
23. The Analytical Study on Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land Use
and the Carbon Emissions from the Drivers of DD
24. UN-REDD (2012), National Forest Monitoring Systems: Monitoring and Measurement,
Reporting and Verification (M & MRV) in the context of REDD+ Activities, UN-REDD
PROGRAMME NINTH POLICY BOARD MEETING, 26-27 October 2012
Brazzaville, Republic
of the Congo
Policy documents:
1.
Forest Policy, Acts and Regulations
2.
Climate Change Policy
-
3.
National Land Use Policy
-
4.
National Rangelands Policy (Rashtriya Kharka Ain)
-
5.
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Acts and Regulations
6.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 7.
National Wetlands Policy
8.
National Water Policy/Strategy
9.
National Irrigation Policy
10. National Hydro-power Policy
11. Environment Act and Regulations (EIA guidelines for sectors)
12. National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA)
3.3.3
Collecting additional data and information
a) Literature review and desk survey
National, regional, local and project level strengths, weaknesses opportunities and threats of the
REDD+ strategy implementation will be assessed. The desk study will also include an analysis of the
leveraging power of REDD+ incentives and the potential of non-carbon benefits of REDD+.
b) Consultations
The consultations of this task will be executed in conjunction with the national, regional and
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local/district level consultations as discussed in 3.2 above. The proposed REDD+ implementation
framework, approaches along with details of institutional components will then be verified with
feedback from local, districts and regional and national stakeholder's workshop.
C) Institutional Analysis: SWOT Analysis of various Climate change related institutions
A detailed institutional analysis of the various institutions related to REDD+ that has been established
or functioning at various levels will be done using the SWOT analysis tool. The analysis will be
primarily focused on strength and weakness of governance issues and capacity and human resources
of the institutions to transform opportunities into actions for better positive outcomes and manage
the emerging socio-political and economic threats.
3.3.4 Data processing and analysis
Collected information from desk review and consultations will be analysed and used appropriately
using the best professional judgment.
3.3.5 Draft reporting, consultation, upgrading and final reporting
The consultant team will analyse the information from desk review and district/regional
consultations, identify the implementation approaches and present in the national stakeholder
workshop, which will be finalized after incorporating the feedback.
3.3.6 Work package 3
The work package 3 consists of the following input, main activities, deliverables and the team.
Input:
Relevant literature, reports, R-PP and ER-PIN
Main activities:
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
5. SWOT analysis
6. Reviewing with stakeholders
7. Additional data collection and processing
8. Structure input for Strategy Report
Deliverables:
Input for Task 6
Team:
Main contributors to this task are KE-2 (who will provide the main input
and who organises and guides the consultation workshops) and KE-3
(who will deliver substantial input on the SWOT analysis ) with technical
support from KE-4. Support and output review will be delivered by KE1.
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3.4
3.4.1
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
WP 4: Role of non-forest sector in REDD+ implementation
Introduction
The effective and efficient implementation of REDD+ programs requires coordination and
involvement of sectors beyond forestry. This entails that the national level REDD+ policies and
programs directed to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation should also examine
the role of other sectors. Only if REDD+ programs are aware of the cross-sectoral character and
impacts of REDD+ activities and are beneficial outside the forestry sector, will national ownership
and sustainability of the program be ensured.
The agriculture and energy sectors are regarded to be very important sectors to consider because of
their role in deforestation and forest degradation and because they are key drivers of development.
Preliminary results of the study on Total Economic Value (TEV) of Forests in Nepal carried out under
the Analytical Study on Assessing the Value of Forests, the Political Economy of Land Use and the
Carbon Emissions from the Drivers of DD, underscores the importance of such sectors related to
forests, and indicates that in this perspective the TEV of forests is much higher.
In Nepal, the expansion of agricultural land for food production, extraction of firewood for cooking
and domestic heating, forage gathering for livestock and forest grazing, among others, are closely
linked to the forestry sector as well, and hence these would have a marked impact on deforestation
and forest degradation. Still, more than two third of population is depended on the agriculture sector
for its livelihood. On the other hand, the contribution of agriculture sector in total value added has
now reduced to 33-35 percent amidst a slow pace of commercialization and low productivity with
added pressures on the expansion of agricultural land (CBS, 2008 and MOF, 2013). Under such
circumstances, there is added priority to the development of the agricultural sector as it is regarded
to be the key for higher growth and sustainable development in Nepal. The agriculture development
strategy developed recently has envisaged a 5 percent long term growth in this sector adding the
potential contributions for the overall development of the economy (MOAD, 2010). Agriculture has a
very critical role in driving rural economic development, where most of the poorest people live. The
nature and speed of transformation in the agriculture sector will be crucial for the REDD+
implementation. Hence, both contributing and coordinating role of the agriculture sector becomes
vital.
Studies highlighting the importance of green economy indicate that apart from fragile agriculture,
structural constraints driven by limited access to energy including alternative energy added by
imperfect competitive patterns of supply contribute to augment deforestation and forest
degradation in developing countries like Nepal (UNEP, 2010). A quick review of Nepal’s energy
consumption pattern shows that out of the total consumption, fuel wood accounted for 75 percent
in 2010/11. The share of new renewable energy sources (excluding large hydropower) such as biogas,
micro hydro and solar energy was merely 0.74 percent (MOF, 2013). The electricity consumption
was about 2.2 percent in the same year despite huge potentials of electricity generation in Nepal.
With about 87 percent energy consumption for the residential consumption purposes at the
moment, the demand for energy for industrial and commercial purposes is bound to rise at a faster
rate in the coming days. Such a phenomenon will augment further as a result of continued rapid
urbanization which is highest in the South Asian region (WB, 2011). On the other hand, a demand
and supply analysis of fuel wood and timber shows that a large gap between the two exists with
more pressures for the forestry sector (Kanel et al, 2012). Under such a condition, development of
alternative energy and reliable and affordable access will be the key in driving overall growth and
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development and meeting the rising energy demand having important ramifications on the REDD +
implementation strategy.
Thus, maximizing synergies with key sectors like agriculture and energy will be essential for REDD+
programs to fit within Nepal’s broader development strategies. Cross-sectoral coordination will also
be important for considering equity and the socio-economic impacts of national level REDD+
strategies. These impacts will need to be identified and mitigated through careful policy design for
harmonizing, among others, agricultural, energy and forest sector policies and programs for effective
implementation of REDD+ strategies.
Other non-forest sectors that are affected by the (lack of) implementation of REDD+ activities and
programs, include: tourism, water supply, construction (eg houses), infrastructure, and health (air
quality-related illnesses) and safety (floods, landslides, etc.).
3.4.2
Desk review of relevant literature, data and information
The first task set for the study is to review the relevant literature, in particular also the TEV report
that is currently being elaborated. This task has already been started and will be completed in
stipulated time. The important policy and program documents of the government related to nonforestry sectors like agriculture and energy have already been collected and they are now being
reviewed. The relevant legal documents are also being collected for the review of legally binding
policies, institutional provisions and arrangements liked to regulation and implementation. Likewise,
important studies and research based articles relevant for the study have been retrieved from the
internet. The ongoing in-depth review of the literature will enable to identify the gaps for the study
and chalk out the areas where further investigation and analysis will be required.
In parallel, various relevant survey reports, published data and information are also being collected.
They will help to identify the interrelationships between the forest and non-forest sectors and how
objectives of the different sectors can be balanced; and, which information and data gaps remain for
a comprehensive analysis. That exercise will assist in the determination of the additional data and
information that still needs to be collected. Where possible that will be done within the context of
this assignment, but the collection of primary data has to be limited due to the limited time and
resources.
3.4.3 Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
Based on the literature and data gaps identified, issues to be additionally clarified or substantiated
and that require additional feedback, a two-pronged methodological approach will be followed in
parallel as part of preparing for data collection.
3.4.3.1 Field survey/interview
A structured questionnaire will be developed for the field survey and interviews. In the
questionnaire, related issues linked to sectors like agriculture and energy added by some pertinent
questions from macro perspectives influenced by political economy or overall public policy
considerations will be covered which are linked to REDD+ implementation. The questionnaire will be
aimed at obtaining concrete feedback and suggestions that are linked to policies, programs and
implementation issues including governance and institutional issues. The questionnaire will also
attempt to verify some key secondary data and information with additional attempts at filling
important data gaps, if any.
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Kathmandu is the proposed site for the collection of data and information. It is also proposed that 40
respondents from policy makers, academia/researchers, private sector stakeholders and NGOs and
civil society organizations are selected for the survey. From four such distinct groups, 10 from each
group will be included in the survey for fair representation.
3.4.3.2 Fieldwork/consultation
In parallel, a wider consultation will be carried out across diverse stakeholders to obtain additional
but more issue-based information and feedback. Key informants from various ministries, National
Planning Commission, private sector, universities, research centers, NGOs and civil society
organization and market entities will be identified and consulted. A checklist will be prepared for
consultation purposes in order to ensure that the information and feedback is obtained in a coherent
and consistent manner.
3.4.4 Data collection and consultation
The questionnaire based data and information collection and checklist-based consultation work will
be completed in 6 weeks as per stipulated timeframe. If some gaps in both processes are identified,
rechecks and verification with concerned respondents will be carried out.
3.4.5 Data processing and analysis
All collected data; information, feedback and suggestions will be collated and processed and
analyzed. Wherever feasible and necessary, a comparative analysis with earlier findings or other data
sources will also be additionally made to ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings. Such a
task will be completed in 2 weeks.
3.4.6 Review with stakeholders
The broad findings of the study based on relevant documents, earlier studies, field survey and
consultation will be presented in the proposed national, regional and district level
workshops/consultation meeting to get additional feedback and suggestions from concerned
stakeholders.
3.4.7 Additional data collection and processing
Based on the outcomes and feedback of the workshop/consultation meeting with stakeholders at
different level, additional information and data collection may be made through both secondary and
where necessary and possible secondary sources. The additional data and information will again be
processed and analyzed to give final shape to the findings. The outcomes will factor into WP6.
3.4.8 Work package 4
The work package 4 consists of the following input, main activities, deliverables and the team.
Input:
Literature Review, Study Reports, Government Documents, Survey
Findings, Interviews and Consultations
Main activities:
Desk review of relevant literature, data and information
Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
Field survey/interview
Field work/consultation
Data collection and consultation
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Data processing and analysis
Review with stakeholders
Additional data collection and processing
Structure input for strategy report
Deliverables:
Input for Task 6
Team:
Main contributor to this task is KE-4 with input from other experts.
Support and output review will be delivered by KE-1.
3.5
WP 5: Role of local communities in REDD+ activities
3.5.1 Introduction
Local and indigenous communities in Nepal have been stewards of forests for centuries. These
communities with the virtue of their spiritual and subsistence relation to forest resources have their
own traditional practices for its proper conservation and management. These peoples are the ones
who heavily rely on forest resources1, for fuel grasses, and fodder in their day to day life. Besides
that, they even harvest a considerable amount of wild fruits, tubers, nuts, condiments, green
vegetables, and most importantly the medicinal plants for their family as well as livestock. They
possess traditional and empirical knowledge regarding the medicinal value of plants found in their
forest; and they have skills to process the plants, which they have been preserving for long—properly
for treatment of the populace and their cattle. Existing legal frameworks and development policies in
forestry sector, to some extent, have also recognized this local management, and have sought to give
local and indigenous people a greater share of responsibility.
Nepal’s CFUGs have been involved in protecting and restoring 1.2 million hectares (20.68 percent)2 of
Nepal's forests since they were formalized in 1993. Numbering around 18,000, they provide an
example of multi-stakeholder participation and social inclusion. Leadership comes from different
ethnic and caste groups and includes women. Participation of these groups, particularly women’s
involvement in CF is ever improving, and the national data base maintained at the Community
Forestry Division shows that women participation is 24 percent and there are about 600 CFUGs
managed by women only committees.
CFUGs have legal personality, earn and manage funds generated from forest use, and devise their
own operational plans. They develop and enforce their own constitutions in a participatory manner,
overseeing governance mechanisms that ensure transparency and accountability such as financial
audits, well-being ranking, public hearings and submission of annual reports to the district forest
office. In addition, some CFUGs, particularly under FSC certification monitor the condition of the
1
2
Nearly two-third of the total households (about 64 percent) in Nepal use Firewood as usual source of
fuel for cooking and 28 % households have built their homes with woods and branches (CBS, 2011).
Rosenbach, D.W; Jessica Whittemore & Joel DeBoer( 2013) Community Forestry and REDD+ in Nepal,
A project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
(Natural Resources and Environment) at the University of Michigan. USA
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forest and biodiversity as well as their own group's governance mechanisms and compliance with
local rules, and develop their own indicators to monitor social and environmental development.
Thus, the CFUGs can be considered as a potential modality for the implementation of REDD+ projects
and activities. However concerns about the rights of indigenous people and communities dependent
on forests and the impact of REDD+ programs on such groups must be addressed adequately. The
likely restrictions imposed by REDD+ on forest exploitation may be a move in the direction of
meeting national and international conservation and mitigation objectives at the cost of real rights at
local levels, and may come into direct conflict with adaptation and the basic needs of local
communities. Focusing only on REDD+ while neglecting community (or local level) rights over forests
may threaten the most vulnerable communities, and ultimately the global commons. The REDD+
approaches and benefits can and must be additional to basic approaches of sustainable forest
management (SFM) under CF regime with decision-making and benefits devolved to local
communities; not the reverse. To reduce deforestation and forest degradation in developing
countries like Nepal, it is essential to promote solutions involving local people in the sustainable
management of forests; and at the same time linking incentive mechanisms with livelihood options.
On the other hand, there is a danger that a national-level approach to REDD+ could reverse the gains
that have been made in the last 20 years in the decentralization of forest management and the
recognition of community rights over forest products. Doubts have been expressed about the
effectiveness of REDD+ at the grassroots level given the political and economic pressures involved
and poor forest governance. Concern has also been raised – particularly by non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and in the bilateral donor sector – about whether local communities will
receive any economic rewards from REDD+, especially where collective tenure and customary
practices are not legally recognized1. The key requirement is -- clear plans for benefit sharing
mechanisms and meaningful participation of local people in the REDD+ activities and projects. The
participation plan should seek participation of local and Indigenous Peoples through Free, Prior and
Informed Consent (FPIC) since Nepal is not only a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention (169),
1989 in 2007, but FPIC is also an integral part of REDD+ under the UNFCCC process.
This topic has strong links with the financing mechanism that needs to be designed and the Forest
Carbon Trust Fund that is one of the Strategic Directions of Nepal’s government. Obviously, sound
and broadly accepted and supported Benefit Sharing Mechanisms (BSM) will be of paramount
importance to the success of REDD+ activities that involve communities. In addition, community
involvement can contribute significantly to the NFMS and NAFIMS.
3.5.2
Review and cataloguing existing data and information
There is ongoing debate in Nepal and elsewhere about the possible contribution of REDD+ activities
and projects towards the poor and forest dependent communities and how and to what extent the
1
Though the Community Forest (CF) guidelines incorporate the inclusion policy in leadership and ensure
the protection of customary practices and traditional knowledge, the forest Act, 1993 and Forest
Regulation, 1995, do not address the issues of indigenous peoples’ collective forest and land
management system explicitly.
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REDD+ activities and projects will be beneficial to local communities. There are scholars who
emphasize that the primary role of mechanisms such as REDD+ is to deliver climate change
mitigation or other ecosystem services effectively and it has nothing to do for poverty reduction
directly but they should be designed so as not to harm the poor. Some scholars, on other hands, call
for a greater inclusion and recognition of forest peoples’ rights and suggest for ensuring people’s
participation in decision making affecting them and development of mechanism for equitable
distribution of forest benefits.
Thus intensive review of existing literatures is required to digest the strengths and weakness of
community involvement in forest management and to identify outstanding issues that must be
addressed in order to ensure that REDD+ implementation does not result in ineffectiveness,
inefficiencies and inequities with negative consequences for both Nepal’s forests and the people that
depend on them for their livelihoods. The following sources of literature have been identified for
review and these sources will guide the additional literatures required for further review and the
need for consultation, and on what topics consultation is needed (see section 3.5.3).
1. Rosenbach, D.W; Jessica Whittemore & Joel DeBoer( 2013) Community Forestry and REDD+
in Nepal, A project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science (Natural Resources and Environment) at the University of Michigan. USA
2. Agrawal, A., & Angelsen, A. (2009). Using community forest management to achieve REDD+
goals. Realizing REDD+: National Strategy and Policy Options, 201-212.
3. Dangi, R. (2012). REDD+: issues and challenges from a Nepalese perspective. In D. C. Devkota,
B. K. Uprety & T. N. Bhattarai (Eds.), Climate Change and UNFCC Negotiation Process.
Kathmandu: MoEST Publications.
4. Gurung, N. (2011). ICIMOD pilots first Forest Carbon Trust Fund in Nepal: helps communities
benefit
from
forest
conservation
and
sustainable
use,
available
at:
http://www.icimod.org/?q=3743
5. ICIMOD, ANSAB, & FECOFUN. (2011). Operating guidelines of Forest Carbon Trust Fund 2011:
ICIMOD, ANSAB, FECOFUN.
6. Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. (2011). Study on REDD Plus Piloting in Nepal.
Kathmandu: REDD Forestry and Climate Change Cell.
7. MoFSC. (2010). Nepal’s Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP): REDD 2010-2013. Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
8. MoFSC ( 2011) Role of Forest in Climate Change Adaptation. Kathmandu: REDD Forestry and
Climate Change Cell.
9. Sherpa, P.D. (2012). Issues and challenges related to the rights and livelihoods of indigenous
peoples' in REDD+ National REDD+ processes: A compilation of case studies to inform
negotiations at COP 18: ACCRA Caucus on Forests and Climate Change.
10. IUCN (2010) Briefing Document: Indigenous People and Climate Change/REDD
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3.5.3
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Collecting additional data and information
3.5.3.1 Review of literatures and Desk Survey
Review of literature will be carried out primarily on the following themes and topics in order to
understand the possible role and contribution of local communities to implement REDD+ activities
and projects.




3.5.3.2
Community Involvement in forest management : forest dependent communities and their
role, rights and responsibilities in forest management
Assessment of local and indigenous communities' involvement in REDD+ readiness process
Social impacts of REDD+ activities and corresponding safeguard measures
Relevant Forest laws and policies related to social safeguards and REDD+ activities
o Forest Policy, Acts and Regulations
o Climate Change Policy
o Interim Constitution of Nepal
o Environmental Policy, Act and Regulations, EIA Guidelines
o Local Governance Act and Regulations
o Act on National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, 2000
o Community Forestry Rules and Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals
o ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 1989 (No.169)
o United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
Stakeholder Consultations
The findings of the desk survey and review of literature will be substantiated and supplemented with
stakeholder consultations. All the consultations at national, regional and local levels for this task will
be carried in parallel with the consultations organized for WP2. The consultations will be guided by a
checklist prepared after reviewing available literature. The consultations will structure in the most
appropriate format, which may include: Key Informant Interview (KII), Focused Group Discussions
(FGD), workshop/round table discussion, or group interview where appropriate.
The key stakeholders for national level consultation may include:
 Responsible officials from Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Department of
Forest (DoF), Division of Community Forestry, REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell
 Representatives from Private Forest Network, Federation of Forest Product Traders and
Federation of Herbal Trade
 Representative from Nepal Foresters’ Association, Federation of Community Forestry Users
Nepal (FECOFUN), Association of Collaborative Forest Users Nepal (ACOFUN), Nepal
Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), NGO Federations, Nepal Federation of
Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), Association of Forest Technicians Nepal, Ranger
Association of Nepal and Junior Forest Technician Association
As identified under WP2, the Regional level consultations will be held in each Development Region.
The key stakeholders may include:
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




FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
The regional forestry officials,
Representatives of civil society organizations active in forestry sector
Representatives of local forest users,
NGOs, INGOs, academics and other stakeholders involved in forestry sector
Representative from regional level caste/ethnic and women organizations
As identified under WP2, the district level consultation will be held in 15 districts covering all fivedevelopment regions and the four main ecological zones of Nepal (Tarai, Chure and inner Tarai,
Middle Hills and High Mountains). The key stakeholders may include:




Officials of the line ministries and government agencies
Representative of political parties, DDC, VDC and Civil society organisations,
Representatives of Dalits, Women & Indigenous People's organizations,
Representatives of LFUGs , CFUGs and other relevant stakeholders
At community level, several Focused Group Discussions and key informant interviews will be held
targeting forest-dependent communities, Dalits, women, and indigenous people.
3.5.4 Data processing and analysis
The data collected through various tools and sources as described above will be analyzed using both
descriptive and analytical methods. Qualitative data like socio-cultural characteristics, knowledge,
practices and attitudes and perceived need and problems expressed, suggestions and comments
made by the stakeholders at different levels will be analyzed by describing and explaining them in
the appropriate contexts under different categories and sub-headings.
3.5.5 Draft reporting, consultation, upgrading and final reporting
An appropriate section in the REDD+ Strategy Report will be providing details regarding different
options for involvement of the local communities in the implementation of the REDD+ activities
3.5.6 Work Package 5
The work package 5 consists of the following input, main activities, deliverables and the team.
Input:
Relevant literature, reports, R-PP
Main activities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Desk review of relevant literature
Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
Data collection: consultations
Data processing and analyses
Reviewing with stakeholders
Additional data collection and processing
Structure input for Strategy Report
Deliverables:
Input for Task 6
Team:
Main contributor to this task is KE-4. KE-2 will organize and guide
the consultation workshops. Support and output review will be
delivered by KE-1.
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3.6
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
WP6: Elaboration of the REDD+ Strategy Report
This work package brings together all material generated in the WPs 2-5 and compile it into a
consolidated draft REDD+ Strategy. Besides being based on all reports that have been generated to
date in the context of the REDD Readiness process in Nepal, the Strategy will be developed in a
participatory manner involving various stakeholders at different levels; all within the limits given by
the available timeframe and resources.
The results of the WPs 2-5 will be synthesized and structured along the lines of the consolidated
framework structure for the National REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal as provided in Annex 1 and a draft
Strategy report will be generated. This draft Strategy report will be discussed in a Round Table
meeting in which appropriate stakeholders will participate including government officials and
members of the REDD Cell.
Feedback collected during the Round Table meeting, as well as during the consultation period will be
processed into the draft Strategy report and a final draft Strategy report will be generated which will
be delivered to the Client. Following the submission of the final draft Strategy report the REDD Cell
can engage in the next steps in the process: the nation-wide awareness raising and consolidation
phase.
The main activities in this WP6 are:
1.
Synthesis and structuring of Tasks results
2. Preparation of draft Strategy report
3. Presentation of report: Round table meeting
4. Feedback from Client
5. Report delivery
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4 Relationship between the Work Package and the
Framework Structure for the REDD+ Strategy
As part of the contract QCBS-20 a critically important Annex A was introduced that contains a
“Consolidated Framework Structure for National REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal”. This Annex present
what can be used as the Table of Contents (ToC) for the end deliverable of this project, being the
REDD+ Strategy document. To illustrate that all topics in that ToC are covered by the various work
packages the table below has been prepared.
Page 33 of 50
Methodology
End
Responsible
KE/s1
1.1 REDD+: Concept and Evolution
Review of relevant documents including decisions of COP 11 to COP 19.
1
1.2 REDD+ in Nepal’s Context
Review and analysis of relevant data, studies, documents and reports
2
1.3 Nepal’s Journey towards REDD+
Study and review of relevant studies, reports, policies, and plans including R-PIN, R-PP, ER-PIN.
2
1.4 National REDD+
Formulation Process
Study the reports and minutes; Capture the process followed including a process diagram
2
Topic/subtopic
I: INTRODUCTION
Strategy
II: GUIDING FEATURES
NEPAL’S REDD+ STRATEGY
OF
2.1 Strategic Directions
2, 3
Vision; Mission, Objectives, Guiding
Principles
Capture the ideas from consultations and desk review for vision, mission, objectives, and guiding principles;
Use professional and logical judgments to craft statements; Review the relevant documents, development
priorities, R-PP and ER-PIN to identify guiding principles.
2, 3
Scope,
Scale,
Approach
Analysis of REDD+ implementation and learning from Nepal and elsewhere; Validation through
consultations.
2, 3
1
Implementation
These is/are the KE/s that has end responsibility for the section but other KEs will contribute
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Financing
Mechanism,
Forest
Reference Level (RL), Forest Carbon
Trust Fund
Analysis of relevant documents.
2.2 Existing Policy and Institutional
Context for REDD+
Review and synopsis of Forest Policy, Acts and Regulations; Climate Change Policy; National Land Use
Policy; National Rangelands Policy (Rashtriya Kharka Ain); National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Acts and
Regulations; National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan; National Wetlands Policy; National Water
Policy/Strategy; National Irrigation Policy; National Hydro-power Policy; Environment Act and Regulations
(EIA guidelines for sectors); National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and Local Adaptation Plan of Action
(LAPA)
2.2.1
Forest,
Biodiversity,
Environment and Climate Change
Related
2.2.2 Social and Environmental
Safeguards Related
2, 3
Review of Interim Constitution of Nepal; Environmental Policy, Act and Regulations, EIA Guidelines; Local
Governance Act and Regulations; Act on National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities,
2000; Community Forestry Rules and Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals
; Buffer Zone Management
Rules and Regulations/Guidelines; Conservation Area Management Rules and Regulations; Participatory
Watershed Management Guidelines; Collaborative Forest Management Guidelines and others
3
4, 2
Review of any safeguard documents prepared for forestry sectors
III:
REDD+
PREPARATION
STRATEGY
3a Assessment of Land Use, Land
Use Change Drivers, Forest Law,
Policy, Governance
2
3a.1 Assessment of land use
3a.1.1 Land use trends
3a.1.2 Efforts to-date to (address
deforestation
and
forest
degradation) maintain and improve
forest land use
Study of R-PP, relevant documents, reports and analysis of policy and programs to improve forest land use;
Assessment of relevant land use, land tenure and NR right issues under different forest management
regimes. Assessment of the role that other, forestry related sectors play in land use, policy and governance
processes .
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Inception Report
3a.1.3 Assessment of land tenure
and associated governance issues
3a 1.4 Assessment of natural
resource rights and the associated
governance issues
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Participatory consultations with stakeholders.
Consultation and review of previous and ongoing efforts/ pilot studies addressing deforestation and forest
degradation (e.g. Hariyo Ban).
3a.2 Assessment of Land Use
Change Drivers
3a.2.1
Identification
and
prioritization
of
drivers
of
deforestation
and
forest
degradation
2, 1
Review of different studies on drivers of D and FD including R-PP and ER-PIN; Analysis of underlying causes
identified by the studies; Refinement and prioritization through stakeholder consultations. Assessment of
the role that other, forestry related sectors play.
3a.2.2 Analysis of the underlying
causes of drivers of deforestation
and forest degradation
3a.3 Assessment of Forest Law and
Policy in the context of REDD+
Review of existing Forest, Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change related laws and policies will be
carried out.
3a.3.1 Strength and Shortcomings
of Forest Law and Policy in the
context of REDD+
The institutional context will be assessed as well as the strength and weakness of various institutional
arrangement discussed as proposed by the RPP
3a.3.2 Policy and/or Programmatic
Measures taken to overcome the
existing shortcomings and their
outcomes
3a.3.3 Way forward to address the
key drivers of deforestation and
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FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
forest
degradation
through
refinement in policy, law and
implementation approaches
3a.4 Assessment of the governance
situation in the context of REDD+
Desk study of R-PP and relevant studies and assessment of governance situation in the context of REDD+,
including multi-level stakeholder consultations and interviews.
3a.4.1
Existing
governance
structures and mechanisms – the
extent to which they are conducive
to REDD+
Assessment of governance structures, mechanisms in the forestry as well as the related non-forestry
sectors.
3a.4.2 Measures taken in the past
to
overcome
the
identified
shortcoming and their outcome
3, 2
A detailed institutional analysis of the various institutions related to REDD+ that has been established or
functioning at various levels will be done using the SWOT analysis tool. The analysis will be primarily
focused on strength and weakness of governance issues and capacity and human resources of the
institutions to transform opportunities into actions for better positive outcomes and manage the emerging
socio-political and economic threats.
3a.4.3 Way forward to address the
deforestation
and
forest
degradation through improvement
in governance situation3b. REDD+
Strategy Options Assessment
3b Strategy Options
3b.1 Identification and selection of
strategy options
3b.2 Feasibility assessment of
selected strategy options and the
risk mitigation measures
3b.3 Action Plan
implementation
of
options
for the
strategy
Review of R-PP, ER-PIN and other relevant studies; and update and refine through stakeholder
consultations.
Obtain ideas for action plans from consultations and use best professional judgments.
The steps will be:
 Formulation of REDD+ strategic options.
 Comprehensive feasibility assessment of each strategic option with
o
Socio-economic, political and institutional context
o Cost and benefit in relation to peoples‟ livelihoods and biodiversity
o Major risks associated; leakage, SESA identified environmental and social risks
 Propose ways to manage and mitigate all such risks
 Review each strategic option to ensure they are fully integrated with the country’s overall
development policies and strategies
 Develop an action plan, including the funds required to implement the actions plans.
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
3c.
REDD+
Framework
Implementation
3c.1 Institutional, Economic and
Governance Arrangements
3c.1.1 Institutional Structure (for
the implementation of REDD+
strategy/program)
3c.1.2 Governance Arrangement
(for the Implementation of REDD+
strategy/program)
3c.2 Legal Arrangements
3c.3 Gaps remaining in
Implementation Framework
3d Social
Impacts
and
the
Environmental
Account for major inconsistencies between the objectives of the REDD+ strategy and
policies/programs of other sectors (e.g. agriculture and irrigation, water and energy, tourism,
roads and other infrastructure)
 Provide ways to address and work to resolve such inconsistencies
Desk study on existing knowledge and information about the linkages of REDD + in the conservation,
sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Additional studies and
reports of REDD+ implementation and pilot projects of Nepal and elsewhere will be collected for exploring
highly successful and effective implementation institutional framework and approaches.
3, 2
3, 2
Review of existing Forest, Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change related laws and policies.
The institutional context will be assessed and the strength and weakness of various institutional
arrangement discussed and proposed by the RPP will be analyzed by focusing on the major elements of
Institutional framework (policy and legal provision, gender and social inclusion, geographical
representation, decentralization/ delegation of power/authority, and provision of maintaining good
governance (indicators of Governance).
Based on this analysis and consultation appropriate REDD+ implementation framework consisting of
institutional structure, and governance and legal arrangements including social and environmental
safeguards will be identified and gap analysis will be performed.
3, 2
3, 2
Desk review and consultations with stakeholders to assess the likely impacts of the REDD+ activities being
implemented and /or to be implemented in terms of:








Displacement of forest dependent communities
loss of income and livelihood
restriction to access to community resources
Issues related to forest dependent communities (IPs and vulnerable groups)
Issues related to REDD+ benefit sharing
Climate impact
Impact on biodiversity
Impact on other landuse
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IV SETTING UP THE REFERENCE
LEVEL (RL)
4.1 Nepal’s Existing Circumstances
with respect to setting RL
4.2 Methodology and Approach for
setting the RL
4.3 Functioning of the Preliminary
RL at National and Sub-National
Level
4.4
Proposal
Adjustment in RL
for
Further
4.5 Work Plan for
Adjustment in the RL
Proposed
2, 1
Desk study of relevant studies such as ER-PIN, National RL document from the ongoing consultancy
(CAMCO) of REDD-cell. For more detailed quantification of carbon stocks of Tarai Forests the estimation of
the carbon stock of forests of Nepal made by Forest Resource Assessment Project (FRA) will be used.
Review of the consultancy study on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation which includes a.o. a
data availability assessment and gap analysis.
2, 1
Desk study on approaches, methodologies and lessons learned for setting RL in other countries.
2, 1
2, 1
Consultations with experts to include their concerns, experiences and practices of
2, 1
2, 1
V: MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR
FORESTS AND SAFEGUARDS
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5.1 Nepal’s National
Monitoring System (NFMS)
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20
Forest
5.1.1 Design and Operational
Mechanism of Nepal’s NFMS
5.1.2 Rationale for the Selection of
Methods Used (/Proposed) in the
System
5.1.3 Action Plan to Institutionalize
a Fully Operational NFMS
5.1.4 Stakeholder Participation in
course of NFMS Development
5.2 Information System for
Multiple Benefits, Other Impacts,
Governance and Safeguards
5.2.1
The
National
Forest
Information Management System
(NAFIMS)
Review of R-PP, relevant documents, studies and reports to provide provide quantitative or qualitative
variables on the non-carbon aspects such as livelihood enhancement, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem
services provision, key governance factors pertinent to REDD+ implementation, and impacts of the REDD+
strategy on the forestry sector.
The monitoring and data/information management and reporting system the existing systems and
capacities will be assessed and National Forest Monitoring System and National Forest Information
Management System will be developed in consistence with UNFCCC.
2
2
2
Review and study the implementation aspects of GIS based National Forest Information Management
System (NAFIMS) for REDD and use the learning.
Participatory consultations with all levels of stakeholders to include their concerns, experiences and
practices
4
Review of study of relevant studies and publications.
Build on the eight principles of REDD+ social and environmental safeguards as: i) recognition of rights, ii)
equitable sharing of benefits, iii) livelihoods security and well-being of indigenous people and vulnerable
communities, iv) sustainable development, human rights and good governance, v) biodiversity and
ecosystem services maintenance and enhancement, vi) ensured equitable participation, vii) ensured access
to information and in decision making; viii) complying with national laws and international obligations.
Identify priority non-carbon aspects directly pertinent to REDD+ implementation in Nepal.
Suggest a transparent National Forest Information Management System (NAFIMS) for monitoring and
reporting
Ensure/demonstrate that the information for agreed national priorities is readily available and reveals the
impacts on identified priority non-carbon aspects
Identify gaps in R-PP and suggest work plan to address these gaps.
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5 Expected outputs
The fore lying report is the output of WP1: the inception report. WP2 thru to WP5 provide input to WP6 and do
not have distinguishable deliverables. The output of WP6 is the actual REDD+ Strategy Report.
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6 Planning
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Work packages
week starting on Monday
WP1
WP2
WP3
WP4
WP5
WP6
Work Package 1: Inception
1. Task inception
2. Delivery of inception report - Deadline 04/07
Weeks
1
30-jun
2
7-jul
3
14-jul
4
21-jul
5
28-jul
6
4-aug
7
11-aug
8
18-aug
9
25-aug
10
1-sep
11
8-sep
12
15-sep
13
22-sep
14
29-sep
15
6-okt
16
13-okt
17
20-okt
18
27-okt
4-jul
Work Package 2: Identification, validation and prioritisation of Drivers of
Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Strategy options and intervention
activities
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
5. Trade-off analysis
6. Analysis of strengths/ opportunities/ challenges/ threats
7. Risk analysis
8. Feasibility analysis
9. Review by REDD Cell and other Stakeholders - Deadline 06/09
10. Additional data collection and processing
11. Construction of a risk framework
12. Structure input for Strategy Report
26-sep
Work Package 3: Implementation approach for the REDD+ strategy
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
5. SWOT analysis
9. Review by REDD Cell and other Stakeholders - Deadline 06/09
7. Additional data collection and processing
8. Structure input for Strategy Report
26-sep
Work Package 4: Role of non-forest sector in REDD+ implementation
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
9. Review by REDD Cell and other Stakeholders - Deadline 06/09
6. Additional data collection and processing
7. Structure input for Strategy Report
26-sep
Work Package 5: Role of local communities in REDD+ activities
1. Desk review of relevant literature
2. Preparation of data collection and selection of sites
3. Data collection: consultations
4. Data processing and analyses
9. Review by REDD Cell and other Stakeholders - Deadline 06/09
6. Additional data collection and processing
7. Structure input for Strategy Report
26-sep
Work Package 6: ELABORATION OF THE REDD+ STRATEGY REPORT
1. Synthesis and structuring of Tasks results
2. Preparation of draft Strategy report
3. Presentation of report: Round table meeting
4. Feedback from REDD Cell - Deadline 24/10
5. REDD+ Strategy Report delivery - Deadline 31/10
24-okt
31-okt
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Consultations
week starting on Monday
Weeks
1
30-jun
2
7-jul
3
14-jul
4
21-jul
5
28-jul
6
4-aug
7
11-aug
8
18-aug
9
25-aug
10
1-sep
National Consultations
Inception workshop - Kathmandu
Progress sharing workshop - Kathmandu
Final sharing workshop - Kathmandu
Regional Consultations
Eastern development region - Biratnagar/Dhankuta - Hills/Terai
Central development regions - Hetauda - Siwalik, hills, bhawar, terai
Western development regions - Pokhara - Mid-hills
Mid-western development regional - Ghorahi, Dang - Inner terai
Far-western development regions - Dhangadi, Kailali - Terai
Local/Distric Consultations
Eastern development region (3) - Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Sunsari High mountain, hills, terai
Centre development region (3) - Dolakha, Chitwan, Makwanpur - High
mountain, siwalik, inner terai
Western development region (3) - Nawalparasi, Kapilbastu, Gorkha High mountain, terai
Mid-western development region (3) - Arghakhanchi, Dang, Banke, Mid hill, inner terai, terai
Far-western development region (3) - Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur, Kailali Mid hill, terai
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11
8-sep
12
15-sep
13
22-sep
14
29-sep
15
6-okt
16
13-okt
17
20-okt
18
27-okt
REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
FCPF/REDD/S/QCBS-20:
Inception Report - Annexes
Face the Future, The Netherlands
In association with Arbonaut, Finland; Practical Solution Consultancy Nepal (PSPL) and Nepal
Environmental and Scientific Services (NESS)
Amsterdam, 2014
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Annex 1: References
CBS ( 2008). Environment Statistics of Nepal, Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics.
CBS (2011). Nepal Living Standard Survey, Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics.
CBS (2013). National Sample Census of agriculture, Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics.
Centre for Energy Studies (2013). Study on Role of Renewable Energy Technologies in Climate Change
Mitigation and Adaptation Options in Nepal, Kathmandu: Centre for Energy Studies
Centre for Rural Technology (2005) National Energy situation Survey Report, Kathmandu: Centre for
Rural Technology Nepal.
CIFR (2012). Analysing REDD+ Challenges and choices Angelsen Edit, Indonesia: Center for
International Forestry Research.
Dhital, N. (2009). Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in Nepal:
Exploring the Possibilities, Journal of Forest and Livelihood 8(1) February 2009
FAND USES IN NEPAL
FAO ( 2010). Land Use Policy and Planning, Kathmandu: FAO.
Joshi et al (2010). Moving Beyond REDD: Reducing from All Land Uses in Nepal, Kathmandu: ASB
(Partnerships for the Tropical Forest Margin).DONS
Kanel, K. (2012). A Study on The Demand and Supply of Wood Products in Different Regions of Nepal,
A Report Submitted to: REDD – Forestry Climate Change Cell, Babarmahal, Kathmandu.
Magrath, W.B. (2013), Nepal Forest Sector Survey: Policy Priorities and Recommendations,
Washington: Program on Forests (PROFOR) (www.profor.info/knowledge).
MFSC (2008). Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Readiness Plan Idea Note (R‐PIN) Nepal. Available at:
http://carbonfinance.org/Router.cfm?Page=FCPF&FID=3 4267&ItemID=34267 (Accessed on August
17, 2008).
MFSC (2010). Nepal’s Readiness Preparation proposal REDD 2010-2013, Kathmandu: Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation.
MFSC (2012). Framework Structure: National REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal, Kathmandu: Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation (REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell).
MOAD (2010). Agriculture Development Strategy, Kathmandu: Ministry of Agriculture Development.
MOF (2013). Economic Survey 2012/13, Kathmandu: Ministry of Finance.
ND USES IN NEPALREDUCING EMISSIONS FROM ALL
NPC (2013). Approach Paper of Three Year Plan (2013-2016), Kathmandu: National Planning
Commission.
REDD+ National Strategy: Indonesian REDD+ Task Force, June 2012( www.satgasreddplus.org).
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UNEP (2010). Green Economy: Driving a Green Economy through Public Finance and Fiscal Policy
Reform (www.unep.org/greeneconomy), New York: UNEP.
World Bank (2011). Large-Scale Migration and Remittances in Nepal: Issues, Challenges and
Opportunities, Washington: World Bank.
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Annex 2: “Consolidated framework structure for National
REDD-plus Strategy of Nepal”
I: INTRODUCTION
1.1 REDD+: Concept and Evolution
1.2 REDD+ in Nepal’s Context
1.3 Nepal’s Journey towards REDD+
1.4 National REDD+ Strategy Formulation Process
II: GUIDING FEATURES OF NEPAL’S REDD+ STRATEGY
2.1 Strategic Directions
 Vision; Mission, Objectives, Guiding Principles
 Scope, Scale, Implementation Approach
 Financing Mechanism, Forest Reference Level (RL), Forest Carbon Trust Fund
2.2 Existing Policy and Institutional Context for REDD+
2.2.1 Forest, Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change Related
2.2.2 Social and Environmental Safeguards Related
III: REDD+ STRATEGY PREPARATION
3a Assessment of Land Use, Land Use Change Drivers, Forest Law, Policy, Governance
3a.1 Assessment of land use
3a.1.1 Land use trends
3a.1.2 Efforts to-date to (address deforestation and forest degradation) maintain and
improve forest land use
3a.1.3 Assessment of land tenure and associated governance issues
3a 1.4 Assessment of natural resource rights and the associated governance issues
3a.2 Assessment of Land Use Change Drivers
3a.2.1 Identification and prioritization of drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation
3a.2.2 Analysis of the underlying causes of drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation
3a.3 Assessment of Forest Law and Policy in the context of REDD+
3a.3.1 Strength and Shortcomings of Forest Law and Policy in the context of REDD+
3a.3.2 Policy and/or Programmatic Measures taken to overcome the existing
shortcomings and their outcomes
3a.3.3 Way forward to address the key drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation through refinement in policy, law and implementation approaches
3a.4 Assessment of the governance situation in the context of REDD+
3a.4.1 Existing governance structures and mechanisms – the extent to which they are
conducive to REDD+
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3a.4.2 Measures taken in the past to overcome the identified shortcoming and their
outcome
3a.4.3 Way forward to address the deforestation and forest degradation through
improvement in governance situation3b. REDD+ Strategy Options Assessment
3b Strategy Options
3b.1 Identification and selection of strategy options
3b.2 Feasibility assessment of selected strategy options and the risk mitigation
measures
3b.3 Action Plan for the implementation of strategy options
3c. REDD+ Implementation Framework
3c.1 Institutional, Economic and Governance Arrangements
3c.1.1 Institutional Structure (for the implementation of REDD+ strategy/program)
3c.1.2 Governance Arrangement (for the Implementation of REDD+
strategy/program)
3c.2 Legal Arrangements
3c.3 Gaps remaining in the Implementation Framework
3d Social and Environmental Impacts
IV SETTING UP THE REFERENCE LEVEL (RL)
4.1 Nepal’s Existing Circumstances with respect to setting RL
4.2 Methodology and Approach for setting the RL
4.3 Functioning of the Preliminary RL at National and Sub-National Level
4.4 Proposal for Further Adjustment in RL
4.5 Work Plan for Proposed Adjustment in the RL
V: MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR FORESTS AND SAFEGUARDS
5.1 Nepal’s National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)
5.1.1 Design and Operational Mechanism of Nepal’s NFMS
5.1.2 Rationale for the Selection of Methods Used (/Proposed) in the System
5.1.3 Action Plan to Institutionalize a Fully Operational NFMS
5.1.4 Stakeholder Participation in course of NFMS Development
5.2 Information System for Multiple Benefits, Other Impacts, Governance and Safeguards
5.2.1 The National Forest Information Management System (NAFIMS)
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