Exploring Economic and Market Dimensions of Forestry Sector in Nepal

Abstract

Public policies have been relatively favourable towards forest-based enterprises since the year 2000, but problems persist in implementation. Nepal's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has by and large had positive effects on the country's forest marketing. However, earlier studies, including on the demand and supply situation done in the last countrywide assessment, indicate that the timber-based option is not feasible under the existing passive mode of forest operations that are mainly focused on patrolling of forest and extraction of dead, dying and diseased trees from forests. A positive scenario under intensive management which can improve the situation has been shown. An analysis of existing knowledge shows that enabling policies, intensive forest management, tenure security, forest certification and reward mechanism for environmental services are the crucial factors for harnessing the economic and marketing opportunities for forest products and services.

Key words: forest marketing, forest-based enterprises, certification, environmental services.  

Full text is available at the ForestAction website  

Journal of Forest and Livelihood 7(1) December 2008 pp.58-69