In Nepal, community forest user groups (CFUGs) as local institutions have
demonstrated appropriate institutional arrangements to manage forest resources as
commons. The characteristics, functions and roles of CFUGs required to manage
commons are well studied and have been translated into practice. Less is known
about the role of CFUGs, as local institutions, in managing local adaptation to climate
change and climate variability, particularly the key characteristics and functions
required to support vulnerable communities. Case study research on the issues of
development of adaptation strategies by CFUGs and villagers of differing well-being
groups in the mountains of Nepal is reported through qualitative and quantitative
research methods.
This research examines the role and potential of CFUGs as key local institution to
enable vulnerable communities, individually or as a collective to promote actions for
climate change adaptation in the rural hills of Nepal. Of interest are the mandates,
roles, functions and capacity of CFUGs required to facilitate climate change
adaptation to assist the most vulnerable communities. The research identifies that
improved governance, enhanced capacity, knowledge and skills in mediating
external services, and support mechanisms in knowledge and information are key
factors to optimize the role of CFUGs in adaptation to climate change. More
importantly, the research suggests that the success of CFUGs to assist the most
vulnerable in communities depends largely on institutional ability to transform
organizational policies, structure and practices, and delegate authority and power.
These actions are pathways to build trust, empower, engage and allow the most
vulnerable populations to use their rights to an equitable share of the productivity of
the commons.