1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric (National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric) - Bhutan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

23/07/2023

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

The Zhasela Community Forest (CF) in Lhuentse covers an area of approximately 208 acres (83 ha). The Zhasela CF Management Group (CFMG), consisting of members of 15 households, has been formed for sustainable utilization and management of forest resources, protection of water sources, and income generation through the sale of sustainable forest products to reduce poverty.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Zhasela Community Forest (CF) covers an area of approximately 208 acres (83 ha). The community forest name “Zhasela” is derived from the local deity of the forest, Zhasela. The CF is a cool broadleaf forest. The dominant tree species found are the species of the genera Michelia, Persia, Symplocos, Betula, and Cinnamomum. The CF is looked after by the Community Forest Management Group (CFMG) consisting of members of 15 households. The operation of the CFMG is guided by the Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP). The first period of Zhasela CF management was between 2004 and 2014. The CF coverage was around 84 acres (33 ha) with 13 CFMG households. At the end of the first planning period, the CF management was retained and the CFMP revised for the next 10 years. The revised plan period was completed in 2017 with the addition of almost 124 acres (50 ha) resulting in a total 208 acres (83 ha). The CFMG members increased from 13 to 15 households. The CFMG carries out the activities highlighted in the CFMP.
The main objectives of the approach are sustainable utilization and management of forest resources, protection of water sources, and income generation through the sale of sustainable forest products to reduce poverty.
Apart from the CFMG members, the stakeholders involved in the approach are the territorial division office, Gewog Forestry Extension Officer (GFEO), and CFMG members. The territorial division office's roles include training CFMG on a need's basis; providing technical inputs while implementing the CFMP; monitoring and providing feedback on CFMP implementation; providing market information and supporting marketing; providing support for amendment and revision of CFMP; verifying CFMG’s records annually; translating CFMP to a Dzongkha version; coordinating study tours; and disseminating or advertising information related to CF or CFMG.
What the CFMG members like about this approach is that it protects water sources, provides access to forest resources such as timber, fuel wood, and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as fodder, fencing/flag poles, and leaf litter. The approach also helps to resolve conflicts regarding access to forest resources, conserves the local forest, reduces erosion and landslides, and thus aids in habitat protection and biodiversity conservation.
In terms of the community, the approach also helps provide loans to members from the CF fund lending scheme with minimal interest. The other advantages of this approach include diversifying income sources by reducing dependency on a single source of income like livestock farming or crop production, strengthening social cohesion by empowering local communities to manage their resources collectively, facilitating collaboration among different stakeholders, sustainably utilizing and managing forest resources, and improving living standards and reducing poverty in rural communities.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• recent local initiative/ innovative

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The main objectives of the approach are sustainable utilization and management of forest resources, protection of water sources, and income generation through the sale of excess forest products to reduce poverty.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	The people of Bragong village had observed a gradual depletion of forest resources near their village. Forest resources such as timber, firewood, fencing/flag poles, fodder, and other forest products had become scarce. So, the community came forward with the proposal to establish a CF. Furthermore, the GFEO had been emphasizing CF's importance to the villagers multiple times. This eventually led to the formation of the CF.
planning	interactive	Forest territorial division office, GFEO, and CFMG members were involved. Through multiple discussions, they came up with the CFMP.
implementation	interactive	The territorial division office, GFEO, and CFMG were involved. They formulated and finalized the CFMP. The CFMG members then carried out the activities highlighted in the CFMP under the guidance of GFEO and territorial division office.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	The GFEO and CFMG members are involved. The monitoring of CF activities is done by all CF members. The necessary records are maintained by the nominated executive committee members (chairperson, secretary, treasurer) of CFMG. The executive members are mandated to submit annual progress reports to the GFEO. The GFEO monitor the activities implemented by CFMG.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Were decisions on the selection of the Technology(ies) made:

• Land users (CFMG members) and GFEO

Explain:

The people of Bragong village had observed a gradual depletion of forest resources near their village. Forest resources such as timber, firewood, fencing/flag poles, fodder, and other forest products had become scarce. So, the community came forward with the proposal to establish a CF. Furthermore, the GFEO had been emphasizing CF's importance to the villagers multiple times. This eventually led to the formation of the CF.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

• The people of Bragong village had observed a gradual depletion of forest resources near their village. Forest resources such as timber, firewood, fencing/flag poles, fodder, and other forest products had become scarce. So, the community came forward with the proposal to establish a CF. Furthermore, the GFEO had been emphasizing CF's importance to the villagers multiple times. This eventually led to the formation of the CF.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

Both men and women.

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• courses

Subjects covered:

Accounting and record keeping
Forest management
Nursey management
Leadership skills
Power chain operation

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

Land users have access to advisory services from the GFEO. The GFEO provides necessary assistance in any field that the CF members require and also advises the CFMG on the implementation of CFMP, the latest policies and amendments of the rule.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Land users have benefitted a lot from the CF, the water sources are protected, erosions and landslides are prevented, and there is sustainable utilization and management of forest resources. Also, land users are able to generate income through the sale of surplus forest products especially timber. During the first plan period of Zhasela CF management, CFMG generated more than Nu 320,000 from the sale of surplus timber and finished products. Nu 299, 600 was divided among the group members and each member received Nu 23,000.

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

The Chief Forestry Officer, Gewog Ranger, and land users are involved in monitoring and evaluation. The monitoring of CF activities is done by all CF members (land users). The necessary records are maintained by the nominated executive committee members (chairperson, secretary, treasurer) of CFMG. The executive members are mandated to submit annual progress reports to Gewog Ranger. The Chief Forestry Officer and Gewog Ranger monitor the activities implemented by CFMG.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

There is no set annual budget for the SLM component of the approach but wherever necessary the land users use the CFMG fund and sometimes get financial and material support from the government.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The CFMG received Nu.100,000 to carry out some of the activities reflected in the CFMP, four rolls of barbed wire, and some tree seedlings.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• other

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Sustainable use of resources in CF ensures regeneration and replenishment of harvested resources.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Protection of water sources.
Access to forest resources such as timber, fuel wood, fencing/flag poles, fodder, leaf litter, and NWFPs.
Conflict mitigation due to clarity on access to forest resources.
Access to loans from the CF fund lending scheme with minimal interest.
Conservation of local forest.
Reduce erosion and landslides in the area.
Habitat protection and biodiversity conservation.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Diversify income sources by reducing dependency on a single source of income like livestock farming or crop production.
Improve living standards and reduce poverty in rural communities.
Sustainable utilization and management of forest resources.
Strengthen social cohesion by empowering local communities to manage their resources collectively.
Facilitate collaboration among different stakeholders.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Farmers are not able to sell NWFPs due to a lack of markets in the vicinity.	Since one of the roles and responsibilities of the territorial division office is to provide market information and support marketing (as highlighted in CFMP), it should come up with ways to link land users and markets in Lhuentse.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Phuntsho, S., Schmidt, K., Kuyakanon, R., & Temphel, K. J. (n.d.). Community Forestry in Bhutan: Putting People at the Heart of Poverty Reduction.

Available from where? Costs?

http://uwice.gov.bt/admin_uwice/publications/publication_files/Reports/2011/UWICER-CFIB.pdf#page=27

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Wangchuk, S. (2014). Equity in Community Forestry Management: A Case of Lhuentse and Mongar Dzongkhags, Eastern Bhutan. Journal of the Bhutan Ecological Society, 48–59.

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sonam-Wangchuk-5/publication/313663481_Equity_in_Community_Forestry_Management_A_Case_of_Lhuentse_and_Mongar_Dzongkhags_Eastern_Bhutan/links/58a2047f45851598babae778/Equity-in-Community-Forestry-Management-A-Case-of-Lhuentse-and-Mongar-Dzongkhags-Eastern-Bhutan.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Phuntsho, S., Schmidt, K., Kuyakanon, R., & Temphel, K. J. (n.d.). Community Forestry in Bhutan: Putting People at the Heart of Poverty Reduction.

URL:

http://uwice.gov.bt/admin_uwice/publications/publication_files/Reports/2011/UWICER-CFIB.pdf#page=27