Sapana Village Social Impact (SVSI), in collaboration with the Sub Division Forest Office, Kurintar, successfully conducted a one-day training on management and protection of community forests on 17 December 2025 in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, Chitwan. The training brought together 23 participants representing Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) from Hattibang, Tobang, Ghurkesh, and Chhapdada. The program aimed to strengthen local capacity for sustainable forest use while promoting effective protection measures to conserve forest resources. The sessions focused on the objectives of community forest management, sustainable methods of forest utilization, and practical approaches to forest protection. Participants were also oriented on the roles and responsibilities of CFUGs within the existing legal and institutional framework of community forestry.
A Forest Officer from the Provincial Forest Office facilitated the training. During the interaction, the resource person emphasized that the program served as an important gateway for local communities to directly connect with provincial-level forest authorities. The officer encouraged CFUG members to strengthen coordination and collaboration with government bodies to access technical support and improve forest governance. Participants actively engaged in discussions, sharing their local experiences and challenges related to forest management and protection. The interactive nature of the training helped build trust and mutual understanding between community members and government representatives. Overall, the training was fruitful and impactful, successfully bridging the gap between local forest user groups and government forest institutions. The initiative contributed to enhancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing community-led efforts for the sustainable management and protection of community forests in the central hills of Chitwan.
