Stakeholder perspectives on patterns and causes of forest crimes in Community Forestry in Nepal

The present study contributes to our understanding of local level forest crimes and law enforcement in community forestry. A total of 211 individuals from 5 categories of stakeholders, that all are involved in community forestry in Nepal, responded to a structured questionnaire administered face to face. The questionnaire elicited respondents’ perceptions on the nature, frequency, motives and consequences of forest crimes. Findings show that illegal collection of firewood is perceived to be the most frequent crime, followed by illegal appropriation of timber, poles and thatch grasses. Stakeholders have clear ideas about the characteristics and motives of forest criminals and sanctions are perceived to be lenient.