The Gandaki Basin Climate Resilient Project (GBCRP) aims to promote a sustainable, river basin-wide approach to watershed management by implementing climate-resilient interventions in agroforestry, forestry, wetlands, and grassland management. To support this goal, capacity-building trainings were conducted in Palpa district (8-10 Ashar, 2082) , Gulmi district (11-13 Ashar 2082), and Arghakhanchi district (14-16 Ashar,2082) districts, reaching 158 participants. These included representatives from local governments, Association of Family Forest Owners Nepal (AFFON),Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), and farming communities.
The training focused on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), climate change adaptation, waste management, and ecosystem restoration. Led by Master Trainer Mr. Suvas Chandra Devkota and supported by subject experts, the sessions employed participatory methods such as group discussions, field visits, and peer learning.
Evaluation results showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge, with average post-test scores improving by over 30%. The program also strengthened collaboration among local governments and civil society organizations while highlighting the need for more inclusive participation of women and Janajati groups.
Concluding with district-level press conferences, the training helped raise awareness about private forest management challenges and policy needs. To sustain momentum, follow-up sessions, increased discussion time, and targeted outreach are recommended for future activities.
