Community Forests Pilot Nature-Based Solutions to Reduce Wildfire Risks

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 19: The programme partners under the PunarUtthan Programme have reviewed progress on the application of nature-based solutions (NbS) for wildfire mitigation.

The partners held the reviews nearly after a year of field implementation organising a four-day Annual Progress Review and Planning Meeting from May 14 to 17.

The review meeting brought together representatives from partner organisations and consultants, including Rupantaran, Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (GIIS), Nature Media Network (NMN), and Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM), along with programme management and technical experts.

Addressing the opening session, Country Director Kiran Ojha said the programme was being implemented as an action research initiative that prioritises learning through practical field interventions. He noted that the programme begins with action on the ground, while lessons and knowledge emerge from those interventions through collaboration and adaptive approaches.

The review comes at a time when Nepal is witnessing a growing number of wildfire incidents. Between 2001 and 2023, more than 40,000 fire events were recorded across the country, affecting ecological systems, agricultural productivity and nearly 7.5 million people, particularly in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. These areas include more than 1,000 community forests that support the livelihoods of over two million people.

During the review meeting, partners presented progress achieved between March 2025 and April 2026. Programme interventions have been implemented in selected municipalities of Arghakhanchi, Kapilvastu, Surkhet and Kailali districts, where communities are testing a range of NbS practices. These include composting, irrigation and recharge ponds, agroforestry systems, and green firebreaks designed to reduce forest fuel load, conserve soil moisture and strengthen ecosystem resilience.

According to organisers, a total of 35 different NbS practices are currently being piloted, including interventions across 26 community forests to evaluate their effectiveness under varying ecological and socio-economic conditions.

Programme lead Narayan Gyawali stressed the importance of systematic documentation and evidence generation to demonstrate how the interventions contribute to wildfire mitigation and community resilience. He also emphasised the need to strengthen Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approaches within programme activities.

Similarly, Uttam Babu Shrestha, Director of GIIS, underscored the importance of linking field implementation with research, noting that reliable and timely field data are essential for measuring impacts and informing policy decisions.

Representatives from partner organisations also shared updates on their respective roles. NMN highlighted its contribution to community mobilisation and outreach, while LB Pun of KUSOM stressed the importance of documenting field-based learning and translating it into policy-relevant knowledge.

The meeting also reviewed the programme’s approved workplan and budget and discussed priority activities, research methodologies, monitoring systems and coordination mechanisms for the coming phase.

The PunarUtthan Programme, being implemented from March 2025 to January 2029 by Lutheran World Relief in partnership with Rupantaran, GIIS, NMN and KUSOM, aims to strengthen wildfire resilience, restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods through locally led approaches. The programme is supported under the REDAA initiative managed by the International Institute for Environment and Development with funding from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.