Regenerating Forests and Livelihoods in Nepal ─ A New Lease on Life

Regenerating Forests and Livelihoods in Nepal documents a success story concerning an innovative rural development program in the Himalayan foothills in Nepal that made a real difference in that it transformed increasingly degraded land, where farmers carved out a meager existence, into a fertile and prosperous zone where they could thrive. The ingredients to the project’s success, from both technical and human perspectives, are presented in this book.

Spearheaded under the “Roof of the World” – the Leasehold Forestry and Livestock Program (LFLP), this ground-breaking initiative documents how, for many years, the program coordinators worked closely with the local inhabitants, civil society and the government. The work ranged from bringing in effective cultivation techniques that protected the environment, to introducing new local crops and goats, to promoting an entrepreneurial spirit and marketing expertise. Every intervention was carefully chosen and conducted to mitigate climate change as well as to help farmers become more resilient to its effects.

Those who took part in the project speak candidly about the program: and how it helped them to improve their production of tree crops and forage without degrading the precious forest upon which their livelihoods depend.