| This dissertation examines equity issues in Nepal's Community Forestry Program by focusing on the intersections of power and resistance, discrimination and empowerment. The program transfers rights to village communities to independently manage forest areas. It also prioritizes disadvantaged groups, such as the poor, low-caste groups, and women, and establishes democratic processes of decision-making. The community forestry program can thus improve forest product availability, and at the same time shift inequitable relations of power by enhancing the empowerment of disadvantaged groups and allowing them greater inclusion in economic, political, and social spheres. While in many instances these favorable outcomes are witnessed, in large part the program has benefited privileged groups while many disadvantaged groups suffer further marginalization. Drawing upon information collected through applied as well as extensive secondary research, the dissertation examines these complex problematics and positive impacts of the community forestry program. It presents a comprehensive overview of equity concerns in community forestry, and details issues for the multiple stakeholders involved.;This inquiry is situated within an emancipatory anthropological tradition that prioritizes social and ecological justice and participatory practice. The research sought to achieve a greater understanding of equity issues in community forestry through engagement with local struggles and concerns. Toward this, I collaborated with two community forestry organizations---the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal, and the Forest Rights Programme---in order to contribute to their work in supporting local forest users and enhancing livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged groups. I also conducted numerous interviews with other stakeholders in community forestry, including local forest users, non-governmental organizations, donor-supported projects, researchers, scholars, and activists.;Some of the key areas explored in this research relate to forest user groups not being given adequate support to operate as autonomous institutions and manage their forest areas according to local needs. The dissertation examines how poor implementation of the program and the prioritization of state and donor agendas over those of the community contribute to these problematics. I argue strongly for more community-based control over the program, and for training locally-situated forest users and organizations to implement the program from the grassroots level. |
