Forestry Resource Development Unit (FRDU)

The Forestry Resource Development Unit (FRDU) is a core technical program of NEST, dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of grassroots communities through sustainable forest development. FRDU offers a range of services including training, field studies, research, consultancy, and implementation of field-level projects.

Vision and Focus

FRDU is committed to:

• Promoting sustainable use of natural resources
• Strengthening biodiversity-based community livelihoods
• Supporting climate adaptation and environmental resilience
• Providing practical, field-based training
• Offering participant-centered consultancy and research services

The unit primarily works in areas such as forest management, climate change adaptation, non-timber forest product (NTFP) development, and biodiversity conservation.

Key Achievements

Fiscal Year 2065/66

• Conducted 20 training sessions:
  • 5 under full scholarship
  • 15 under partial scholarship
• Trained a total of 344 participants
• Achieved 1,378 trainee-days, representing 8% of NEST’s total for the year

Training topics included:

• Mehandi and Jatropha cultivation
• Community forest management
• Broom grass and bamboo propagation
• Bamboo handicrafts, agarbatti, and candle production
• Sustainable livelihoods framework
• Cookery and hotel management
• Duna-Tapari production
• Entrepreneurship and institutional development

Cumulative Impact (10-Year Summary)

• 163 trainings delivered
• 3,744 participants trained:
  • 1,734 women
  • 2,010 men
• Inclusion of marginalized groups:
  • 471 Dalits
  • 1,890 Indigenous peoples
  • 266 religious minorities
  • 34 persons with disabilities

Participants have successfully applied the skills acquired during training to their everyday lives and income-generating activities, contributing to both personal and community development.

Areas of Training

• Non-timber forest product (NTFP) identification and management
• Community forest handover and sustainable forest management
• Bamboo nursery establishment and propagation
• Bio-briquette (organic charcoal) production
• Improved smoke-free stove construction
• Climate change adaptation
• Forest nursery management
• NGO institutional development and project planning

Partnership and Consultancy Services

FRDU has collaborated with various organizations:

• 39 training programs with NGOs
• 24 with international NGOs
• 10 with government agencies
• 9 with community-based organizations

Notable consultancy engagements include:

• Project proposal development for the NGO Coordination Committee, Baglung
• Impact assessment for Mahendra Nature Conservation Fund, Chitwan

Community Testimonial

Doti Nepali, Jumla – FRDU Trainee:

“After participating in a 5-day training on bio-briquette production organized by NEST, I started producing briquettes for personal and community use. This eventually led to an opportunity to facilitate a training session in Humla where I earned NPR 1,500 per day. Today, I am recognized in my area for my expertise in bio-briquette production. I attribute my progress and recognition to the support and training I received from NEST.”

Lessons and Future Directions

FRDU has identified that effective training alone is not always sufficient. For long-term impact:

• Post-training support and resource mobilization are critical
• Collaboration with government bodies ensures sustainability
• Continued curriculum improvement is necessary to meet evolving community needs

FRDU remains committed to advancing its role in environmental stewardship and sustainable community development by strengthening partnerships and ensuring the practical application of knowledge and skills.