Forest Tenure in Cambodia, Nepal and Viet Nam

Book excerpt: The system of tenure defines how people and communities gain access to land, forests and other resources. In many part of the world, forest tenure system is weak, not pro-poor, and contested. Many countries in Asia have initiated forest tenure reform programmes to improve livelihoods of rural poor. However, the outcome of such reform is mixed and potential benefits to rural people are not fully realised. Restrictive and weak regulatory frameworks, tenure insecurity, and insufficient institutiona l capacity are key factors limiting the impacts of forest tenure reform. Against this backdrop, FAO initiated a regional programme on "Strengthening Forest Tenure for Sustaining Livelihoods and Generating Income" in Cambodia, Nepal and Viet Nam in 2014. This book summarizes key findings of the regional project ‘Strengthening Forest Tenure for Sustaining Livelihoods and Generating Income’ implemented between 2014 and 2016 in Cambodia, Nepal and Viet Nam. It was part of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and implemented at the request of the governments in these countries. During the course of project implementation, each country undertook national assessment of forest tenure policies and institutional capacity and identified gaps in these areas. A series of consultations, multistakeholder policy dialogues and capacity development activities was also conducted as part of the project.