Nepal
Date: 20 August 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Challenges of National Parks and Impacts of Buffer Zone Extension on Local Communities
Program description: In this episode, during interviews with the president of the Buffer Zone Community Forest User Group, Community Forest User Group and the Chief Conservation Officer of Banke National Park, we delved into the impacts of wildlife on agriculture, infrastructure, and the people of the buffer zone area, as well as the compensation for damages caused by wildlife. The primary concern highlighted in the program is the protracted and complex process involved in obtaining compensation for wildlife-related damages. This program aims to raise awareness among the buffer zone community about the compensation issue and draw the attention of relevant authorities and stakeholders towards finding solutions to these significant challenges.
Date: 23 August 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Forest Policies & Budgets: Central, Provincial, and Local Governments, Fiscal Year 2080/81
Program description: The program thoroughly examined forest and environmental policies, activities, and budgets for the fiscal year 2080/81 at three government levels in Nepal: Central, Provincial, and local. We conducted interviews with key figures, including the Director-General of the Forest Department (Central Level) and the Former Mayor of Tulshipur Sub-Metropolitan City (Local Level). Our discussions covered forest policies pertaining to products, industries, enterprises, capacity-building, economic empowerment, and local livelihood enhancement. Additionally, we explored budget allocations for natural resource conservation. This program plays a crucial role in raising awareness among local residents about government policies, regulations, and budgets for forest conservation, management, and livelihood improvement across all three-government levels.
Date: 30 August 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Conservation Challenges in the Chure, Terai, and Madhesh Regions of Nepal
Program description: This episode unveils the current status, prospects, and challenges facing the Chure, Terai, and Madhesh regions of Nepal, along with ongoing efforts and initiatives aimed at conserving and managing natural resources, including forests, biodiversity, the environment, and water and soil conservation, as well as disaster risk education. The Chure region, once the primary water source for the Terai region, is now degraded and highly vulnerable to soil erosion. In this program, we engage in discussions with key stakeholders from the Chure Conservation Project and explore the contributions, efforts, and activities of all three levels of government in conserving the Chure, Terai, and Madhesh regions of Nepal.
Date: 6 September 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Forest Regulation of 2079: Key Provisions for Improving the Livelihoods of Communities and Farmers in Nepal
Program description: This episode provides a detailed analysis of the Forest Regulation of 2079, focusing on its key provisions related to improving the livelihoods of community members and farmers in Nepal. Topics covered include Community Forests, the Handover of Community Forests to Community Forest User Groups, Forest Enterprises, Tourism Development in Community Forests, and Leasehold Forests in Community Forests for the benefit of impoverished individuals. We engage in discussions with user groups to explore the challenges related to forest conservation and the utilization of forest products. Additionally, we examine how the new forest regulation can address these challenges, discuss issues within current regulations, and underscore the importance of developing Forest Regulations that are user-friendly for Community Forest Users.
Date: 13 September 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Exploring the Potential and Obstacles of Agroforestry in Nepal
Program description: The entire episode is dedicated to exploring the prospects and challenges of agroforestry in Nepal, an age-old tradition rooted in indigenous practices that harmoniously integrates farming and forestry to enhance farmers' livelihoods. In interviews with key figures, including Jograj Giri (Chairperson of the Federation of Private Forests), Thakur Prasad Bhandari (Chairperson of the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal), and Rewatiraman Paudel (Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Development), a comprehensive analysis and discussion of regulations, policies, and strategies related to agroforestry in Nepal are presented. The primary challenge highlighted in the program pertains to farmers' land ownership issues and the insufficient implementation of agroforestry policies.
Date: 20 September 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Nepal's Forest Policies: Navigating Green Growth and Biodiversity
Program description: The program focused on a comprehensive analysis of forest policies, programs, and gathered perspectives from key authorities, stakeholders, and officials related to Nepal's forest policy and programs. Interviews were conducted with the Secretary of the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN), a user from the Nawadurga Community Forest, and the Communication Officer of the Divisional Forest Office in Dang. Discussions revolved around various aspects of forest policies and programs, including those related to forest products, biodiversity conservation, forest-based industries, enterprises, capacity-building trainings for local economic empowerment, and livelihood improvement, all while emphasizing the conservation of the environment, biodiversity, and natural resources.
Date: 27 September 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Problems and Issues: Pesticides, Insecticide Management Act 2076
Program description: This episode delves into the Pesticides and Insecticides Management Acts in Nepal, shedding light on the various types and their utilization in the country. It addresses the damages and adverse effects of pesticides on agriculture, soil, the environment, and human health. These detrimental consequences not only affect human well-being but also lead to pollution in the surrounding environment. The program explores both the direct and indirect impacts of pesticides, as well as the knowledge gaps among farmers regarding the proper application of pesticides. It also examines the current status of pesticide usage in Nepal and the training provided to farmers on pesticide application.
Date: 4 October 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Taxation on Community Forest from 3 tiers of Government
Program description: This episode provides a detailed analysis of forest regulations concerning the taxation on Community Forests by three tiers of government: the Central, Provincial, and Local Governments. The taxation imposed on community forest user groups has created obstacles for conservation and forest management programs, making them unintended victims. The program delves into the history of community forest management and highlights the challenges and issues arising from taxation by the three tiers of government, which is not always community-friendly, thereby affecting conservation efforts.
Date: 11 October 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Prospects and Challenges of Forest Based Enterprises in Nepal
Program description: This episode meticulously analyses the prospect, challenges, issues and possibility of development of forest based enterprises in Nepal. The need of forest based enterprises policy and regulations and management is important for the direct livelihood improvement, employment opportunity and extension of income generation activities. Community forest users have always been focused on the conservation, development and sustainable management of community forests and forest based enterprises development will help in motivating the user groups through the economic empowerment of the forest user groups.
Date: 1 October 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Tourism and Family Farming: Opportunities and Challenges
Program description: The entire episode is focused on the prospects, challenges, and practices related to tourism development in Nepal. Community forests can also engage in tourism development activities within their forest areas. The tourism industry serves as the primary income-generating activity for community users and contributes to the economic empowerment of user groups. This program raises awareness among forest user groups and the local community about the importance of practicing tourism development activities. Additionally, it aims to attract the attention of relevant authorities and stakeholders to emphasize tourism development and the provision of tourism services within community forests in Nepal.
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Date: 10 October 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Community Forest Constitution and Operation Plan
Program description: In this episode, the process of handing over the community forest to the local residents, the preparation of the constitution, and the development of an operational plan for community forest management are explained and discussed. The Community Forest Operational Plan is crafted to guide the management, utilization, and socio-economic development of the community forest user group. The issues and challenges encountered by the community forest user group during the constitution and operational plan preparation are thoroughly explained in this episode.
Date: 15 October 2023
Radio: Radio Prakriti FM
Language of program: Nepali
Title of program: Forest Governance Practices in Nepal
Program description: The program analyzed forest-related policies, activities, and governance practices in Nepal to promote sustainable forest management. It delved into the annual general assemblies conducted by thousands of community forest user groups for the review and effective management of forests, aiming to instill good governance practices in community forests. This program plays a crucial role in raising awareness among local communities about policies, challenges, and issues related to the implementation of governance practices for forest conservation, management, and livelihood improvement activities.