Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014

Hemant R. Ojha; Dil B. Khatri; Krishna K. Shrestha; Basundhara Bhattarai; Jagadish C. Baral; Bimbika Sijapati Basnett; Keshab Goutam; Ramesh Sunam; Mani R. Banjade; Sudeep Jana; Bryan Bushley; Sindhu Prasad Dhungana; Dinesh Paudel

doi:10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851

Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014

Hemant R. Ojha, Dil B. Khatri^*, Krishna K. Shrestha, Basundhara Bhattarai, Jagadish C. Baral, Bimbika Sijapati Basnett, Keshab Goutam, Ramesh Sunam, Mani R. Banjade, Sudeep Jana, Bryan Bushley, Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Dinesh Paudel

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article examines Nepal's recently prepared Forestry Sector Strategy (FSS) (as of 2014) in terms of the use of scientific evidence and the quality of stakeholder participation. By reviewing the content and analyzing the context of its development during 2012–2014, we found that the transitional politics and overt influence of international development agencies dominated the process and content of the FSS. Although the FSS was developed through a significant stakeholder engagement, there was limited use of the available scientific evidence. The FSS was narrowly conceived as a deliverable of supporting aid programs, with limited demand for a politically meaningful policy processes. While civil society groups were consulted, they largely failed to present an independent voice due to their dependence on funding agencies. Our assessment calls for rethinking policy development in a way that facilitates assertive and independent participation by a range of actors and make better use of the available research.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	357-373
Number of pages	17
Journal	Society and Natural Resources
Volume	29
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851
Publication status	Published - 3 Mar 2016

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Ojha, H. R., Khatri, D. B., Shrestha, K. K., Bhattarai, B., Baral, J. C., Basnett, B. S., Goutam, K., Sunam, R., Banjade, M. R., Jana, S., Bushley, B., Dhungana, S. P., & Paudel, D. (2016). Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014. Society and Natural Resources, 29(3), 357-373. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851

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abstract = "This article examines Nepal's recently prepared Forestry Sector Strategy (FSS) (as of 2014) in terms of the use of scientific evidence and the quality of stakeholder participation. By reviewing the content and analyzing the context of its development during 2012–2014, we found that the transitional politics and overt influence of international development agencies dominated the process and content of the FSS. Although the FSS was developed through a significant stakeholder engagement, there was limited use of the available scientific evidence. The FSS was narrowly conceived as a deliverable of supporting aid programs, with limited demand for a politically meaningful policy processes. While civil society groups were consulted, they largely failed to present an independent voice due to their dependence on funding agencies. Our assessment calls for rethinking policy development in a way that facilitates assertive and independent participation by a range of actors and make better use of the available research.",

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Ojha, HR, Khatri, DB, Shrestha, KK, Bhattarai, B, Baral, JC, Basnett, BS, Goutam, K, Sunam, R, Banjade, MR, Jana, S, Bushley, B, Dhungana, SP & Paudel, D 2016, 'Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014', Society and Natural Resources, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 357-373. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851

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AU - Goutam, Keshab

AU - Sunam, Ramesh

AU - Banjade, Mani R.

AU - Jana, Sudeep

AU - Bushley, Bryan

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Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014

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