Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement in REDD+ Process: Opportunities and Challenges in Nepal

Nepal has a population of 26.5 million with immense cultural diversity, and indigenous peoples make up 35.81 percent of the total population (2011, CBS). 59 indigenous nationalities have been legally recognized under the Nepal Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) Act 2001. The NFDIN Act defines indigenous nationalities, also referred to as Adivasi Janajati, as communities who perceive themselves as distinct groups with their own mother tongue, traditional culture, written and unwritten history, traditional homeland and geographical areas, and egalitarian social structures. The indigenous peoples of Nepal inhabit different parts of the country, from Himalayan mountains bto the hills and plains. They have a symbiotic relationship with nature and have been playing a crucial role for sustainable management of forests, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem through their traditional knowledge and cultural practices for generations in Nepal. With the emergence of the concept of REDD+ Mechanism in 2009, indigenous peoples have been speculating how it would address their issues and concerns in relation to their rights over their resources, land, forest and safeguards.