University visit by Nepalese foresters

The 15 foresters have been on a one month professional development course organised by the University’s Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT).

During the course they spent three residential weeks in Cumbria, and also visited the Wyre Forest, Cannock Chase and the Mersey Forest during a 10-day visit to the University’s Telford Campus.

The tailor-made professional course was part of the Livelihoods and Forestry Programme (LFP), supported by the University, which aims to improve the livelihoods of poor people in rural areas of Nepal. The programme aims to promote more efficient and sustainable use of forest and other natural resources by the rural communities.

Organised by CIDT and the University of Cumbria, the visit was to enable the foresters to complete a professional development course focused on forest management.

Philip Dearden, Head of CIDT, said: “Capacity Building is a key component of our support to the DFID funded Livelihood and Forestry Programme in Nepal. We have been delighted to have this group of senior Nepalese staff with us. We hope they will be returning to Nepal full of new ideas to be implemented.”

During their programme the group have had presentations about funding, scenario planning and wider economic issues, including fair trade, plus targeted visits to forests to view current developments in forest, community and regeneration approaches.

The LFP is an aid programme of the UK Government’s Department for International Development and the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. CIDT is providing advisory and financial services to the LFP for three years.

Around 40% of Nepal is forest, meaning the majority of the rural population depend on forest or other natural resources for their livelihoods. The LFP operates in 15 districts of Nepal, which is one fifth of the country.

Further information

For more information please contact Vickie Woodward in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736