Nepal Public Policy Review

नेपालमा गोलिया काठ मापन मापदण्ड परिवर्तनको अर्थराजनीति (The Political Economy of Switching the Log Scaling Standards in Nepal)

2025-08-20T05:38:09+00:00

प्रस्तुत लेखमा नेपालको गोलिया काठ मापनको ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि र विभिन्न मापदण्डको विकास र विस्तारबारे विवेचना गर्नुका साथै उपलब्ध तथ्याङ्क र सूचनाको उपयोग गरेर मापदण्डको विकासक्रमको समीक्षा गरिएको छ । गोलिया काठ उत्पादक, गोलिया प्रशोधन गर्ने काठ व्यवसायी र स्वतन्त्र वन विज्ञसँगको अनौपचारिक छलफलबाट प्राप्त जानकारी उपयोग गरेर मापदण्ड परिवर्तनमा प्रभाव पार्ने आन्तरिक र बाह्य शक्तिको पहिचान गरिएको छ । काठ व्यवसायीको पक्षपोषण हुने गरी मापदण्ड परिवर्तन गर्ने निर्णय भएको आशङ्का गर्ने सुविधा घटनाक्रमले दिएको छ । उक्त पृष्ठभूमिमा मापदण्ड परिवर्तनको अर्थराजनीति बारे विश्लेषण र विवेचना गरिएको छ । मापदण्ड परिवर्तनबाट हुन पुगेको गोलियाको अवमूल्यनले उत्पादन कार्यमा संलग्न श्रमिक, निजी रुख धनी, साना किसान, सामुदायिक वन समूहको आम्दानीमा परेको नकारात्मक प्रभावबारे तथ्यगत विश्लेषण गर्नुका साथै लेखकले आर्जन गरेको तालिम र विषयगत कार्यानुभव समेतको आधारमा आलोचनात्मक समीक्षा गरिएको छ । निर्णय प्रक्रियामा स्वार्थ समूहको प्रभाव नरहेको पुष्टि गर्न सरकारी निकायले दाबी गर्ने मापन सूत्रको व्यावहारिक मान्यतालाई प्रस्तुत लेखले अस्वीकार गर्दै हालको मापदण्डको स्थानमा परिष्कृत मापदण्डलाई अभ्यासमा ल्याउँदा गोलिया उत्पादनमा सहभागी श्रमिक, साना किसान र वन उपभोक्ताको आम्दानीमा वृद्धि हुने र सरकारी राजस्व बढ्ने आकलन गरेकाले यसबारे पहलको निम्ति सम्बन्धित निकायको ध्यानाकर्षण गर्न पाँच बुँदे नीति सिफारिस गरिएको छ ।

Abstract (in English)

This article explores the historical evolution of log measurement in Nepal’s forestry sector, tracing its development and expansion over time. The review draws on available data and information, supplemented by insights from informal discussions with timber producers, wood traders, processing entities, and independent forest experts. These sources help identify both internal and external factors that have influenced changes in the standards. The sequence of events allows one to suspect that the decision has been made to change the log scaling standards in a manner that favors timber traders. Within this context, the article critically examines the economic and political dimensions of the changes, highlighting their adverse impacts - particularly the undervaluation of logs - on the incomes of log harvesting workers, private tree owners, smallholder farmers, and community forest groups. Drawing on the critical analysis of available data, as well as the author's academic training and professional experience, the article challenges the notion that the revision process was free from interest group influence. It argues instead that vested interests played a significant role in shaping the outcomes. The paper further anticipates that replacing the current standards with more refined ones could significantly boost the wages of workers, small farmers, and forest users, while also enhancing government revenue. To address this, the article concludes with a five-point policy recommendation aimed at encouraging relevant agencies to take appropriate action.

Disability rights legislation in Nepal: Status, challenges, and way forward

2025-05-25T07:05:31+00:00

Legislation concerning the rights of persons with disabilities encompasses legal instruments aimed at safeguarding their rights and interests, ensuring equal participation and inclusion in societal affairs. This paper investigates the landscape of rights legislation provided for persons with disabilities in Nepal, where disability issues are analyzed within social and legal discourse frameworks. Utilizing the content analysis method, this article synthesizes qualitative aspects of legal frameworks, policy documents, and existing scholarly literature with insights gleaned from secondary sources. Key concepts under scrutiny include government attention to disability rights initiatives and international obligations, the degree of legal adherence, and the accessibility of services for persons with disabilities. The research findings highlight notable legislative efforts made by the government to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities; however, their effectiveness relies on enforcing legislation, strengthening public institutions, and encouraging contributions from non-governmental organizations. Implementing such legal frameworks was found to be weak for several reasons, including infrastructural deficiencies, lack of accurate statistical information, and inadequate policy and structural interventions at the sub-national level. Media review revealed various barriers to accessibility, education, employment, health services, social inclusion, and legislation, while also acknowledging some benefits received by persons with disabilities in education, employment, institutionalization, social protection, and resilience. Recommendations arising from this inquiry advocate for bolstered enforcement mechanisms, resource allocation, increased public awareness efforts, improved accessibility standards, and empowerment of diverse stakeholders. This research is significant given the urgent need to address the ongoing challenges in effectively implementing rights for persons with disabilities in Nepal.

Changing dynamics of the U.S.–Nepal policy: An analysis through the lens of hegemonic stability theory

2025-07-11T05:01:41+00:00

This study examines the evolving dynamics of U.S.–Nepal relations through the lens of Hegemonic Stability Theory (HST), focusing on the period from establishment of diplomatic ties to Biden administration. The objectives are to analyze U.S.–Nepal foreign policy initiatives, assess Nepal’s positioning within these policies, and apply HST to understand the interactions. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach to collect, descibe and analyse relevant data from academic sources and grey literature, the study highlights Nepal’s strategic importance amid shifting global and regional power dynamics. Findings indicate that U.S.–Nepal relations have been shaped by the U.S. goal of maintaining a balance between China and India, particularly during the Cold War. U.S. policy emphasized supporting Nepal’s sovereignty and democratic development in coordination with India to counter communist influence. Following the Cold War, U.S. engagement with Nepal increased, driven by regional dynamics and concerns, including the Maoist insurgency and War on Terror. As global power structures shifted from unipolarity to multipolarity, U.S. policy towards Nepal has remained unchanged in terms of development assistance through the USAID program and the recent Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement. Although the U.S. has always consistently maintained that MCC is a bilateral development program, it has frequently been characterized in Nepal’s public discourse as a instrument of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Despite deepening engagement, Nepal remains concerned that Indian perspectives are shaping U.S. policies towards Nepal. The study concludes by providing critical insights into U.S.–Nepal relations, suggesting that Nepal needs to redefine its foreign policy to engage more independently with the U.S., while balancing regional pressures and strengthening its institutional capacity to counter misinformation and check foreign influence over public discourse.

Beekeeping in Nepal: Assessing policy effectiveness and pathways for sustainable growth

2025-08-06T05:03:18+00:00

Beekeeping holds significant potential for enhancing rural livelihoods, increasing agricultural productivity, and conserving biodiversity in Nepal. Although honey production in the country has grown notably between 2012/13 and 2022/23, the sector continues to face persistent challenges in both production and marketing. Nepal still imports more honey than it exports, revealing a substantial gap between its potential and actual performance. This study critically examines key policies, including the Bee Promotion Policy 2017, National Agriculture Policy 2004, Agribusiness Promotion Policy 2007, and the Agriculture Development Strategy (2015-2035), using a descriptive-analytical approach to assess their effectiveness in supporting the beekeeping sector. Qualitative data were collected from 12 respondents representing government agencies, research institutions, and farming communities. The analysis focuses on eight key areas: institutional development, species conservation, infrastructure and financing, information dissemination, capacity building, product quality, market access, and research advancement. Findings indicate that while supportive policies exist, their implementation remains weak due to institutional overlap, poor coordination, inadequate funding, limited research emphasis, a shortage of technical publications, insufficient technical support, and low awareness and capacity among grassroots beekeepers. The study concludes that a more integrated, farmer-centric, and evidence-based policy approach is essential to fully realize the potential of beekeeping in Nepal. It recommends enhancing policy coherence, investing in innovative technologies, and improving market competitiveness to promote beekeeping as a sustainable and profitable enterprise.