Funded by : International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada
Consortium partners: The project is implemented by a consortium of ForestAction Nepal, the Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association (HIMAWANTI), the Association of Family Forest Owners, Nepal (AFFON) and the Federation of Forest-based Industry and Trade, Nepal (FenFIT-Nepal).
My role as the Research Officer throughout the time frame 2022-2024 April included the following key responsibilities:
1.Restoration of 32,000 non timber forest products species in Sindhupalchok and Nawalpur, Nepal
During my tenure at ForestAction Nepal, I led a large-scale restoration initiative involving the plantation of 32,000 non-timber forest species, aiming to enhance local economies while promoting sustainable resource management. This initiative required extensive collaboration with stakeholders to address challenges in sourcing suitable plants and ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials for rural entrepreneurs. Spending months in rural areas, I along with the team closely managed the technical aspects of the restoration process, meticulously planning and adapting to unforeseen challenges. Beyond the plantation, my efforts integrated restoration activities into broader project goals, including fostering low-carbon development, improving climate resilience, and creating sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities. This experience developed my skills in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and leveraging restoration for community empowerment.
More details about the process we followed: https://forestaction.org/key/plantation-as-a-resource-base-creation-an-empowering-process-for-women-entrepreneurs/
2. Research on Gender Equity and Sustainable Forest-Based Livelihoods
I along with Sarada Tiwari and Saroj Khatiwada led significant contributions to advancing research on forest-based livelihoods and gender equity through publications in both English and Nepali journals. Together, we co-authored the article “Green Enterprises: A Pathway to Women’s Economic Empowerment,” published in the Journal of Forest and Livelihoods, which explored innovative approaches to gender equity, policy advocacy, and community-based forest management, fostering inclusive and sustainable forest economies. Additionally, we led the Nepali journal series Hamro Ban Sampadha, focusing on critical topics such as women’s entrepreneurship, marketing challenges, and value chains. My article within this series emphasized the urgent need for gender-friendly technologies to support rural entrepreneurs, particularly addressing challenges around women’s mobility in enterprise development. These collaborative efforts reflect our shared commitment to bridging research and practical solutions for sustainable development.
More about the publications:
https://aaratikhatri.com.np/2024/12/08/green-enterprises-a-pathway-to-womens-economic-empowerment/
3. Knowledge Management and Dissemination
I authored impactful blogs on platforms like the Climate Development and Knowledge Network, focusing on key themes such as green enterprises, sustainable livelihoods, and plastic pollution. Through these blogs, I depicted the intersection of environmental sustainability and community development, bringing attention to marginalized groups and their role in fostering climate resilience. Additionally, I co-led the production of a documentary that showcased the pivotal role of women in rural entrepreneurship and forest-based enterprises, shedding light on their contributions to sustainable livelihoods. My written work also extended to national daily newspapers, where I authored articles advocating for the inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals in community forest management, further reinforcing my commitment to promoting social and environmental justice. Here are the List and Link of the blogs and articles:
- Khatri, A. (2023, June 5). Green Enterprises are Empowering Marginalised Women and Beating Plastic Pollution. GLOW Programme, Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN).
- Baral, S., Khatri, A., & Bhandari, K. (2023, August 13). Seeing Construction Through Women’s Eyes: As a Cradle for Socio-Economic Resilience. GLOW Programme, Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN).
- Khatri, A., Baral, S., & Lama, K. (2024, February 6). Neglected Weeds Economically Empowers Through Rural Women’s Entrepreneurial Initiatives. ForestAction Nepal.
- Khatri, A., Baral, S.(2024, April 27), Including People with Disability in community Forests , The Annapurna Express
- Khatri, A., & Baral, S. (2023, March 27). Not Seeing The Wood For The Trees. The Annapurna Express.
4. Networking and Global Representation
I successfully took the case study of rural entrepreneurship initiatives to a global platform by representing the project findings at the International Young Scientist Forum, where I shared insights on sustainable livelihoods and forest-based enterprises. Additionally, I participated in the Locoforest International Training Program organized by the Swedish Forest Agency, further deepening my understanding of global forestry practices. As part of my leadership in international collaborations, I hosted representatives from the Swedish Forest Agency, showcasing rural entrepreneurship efforts in Nepal. This included emphasizing the importance of indigenous entrepreneurship and bamboo-based restoration initiatives in empowering marginalized communities. These global engagements not only expanded the project’s impact but also created opportunities for cross-cultural knowledge exchange, allowing me to advocate for the inclusion of rural communities in sustainable development conversations.
5. Supporting Market Access and Branding for Forest-Based Enterprises
In my role, I played a crucial part in supporting market access for forest-based enterprises by facilitating the development of value chains for locally produced forest products. I worked closely with women entrepreneurs to connect them with strong market networks, including international trade fairs and platforms like Udhami Ghar, which opened new avenues for their products. Additionally, I contributed to enhancing the marketability of these products by assisting in branding, labeling, and product photography, which helped showcase their unique qualities and eco-friendly aspects. Through these efforts, I ensured that the entrepreneurs not only gained recognition but also successfully accessed broader markets, promoting sustainable livelihoods and expanding their reach.
6. Key Roles in Policy Labs, Conferences, and Workshops
Throughout my journey, I have actively contributed to facilitating and documenting various policy labs, workshops, and conferences focused on community forestry, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. These include national and international events such as the National Sharing Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment through Forest Solutions and the International Conference on Revitalizing Community Forestry. These platforms were instrumental in fostering dialogue on strengthening forest-based enterprises, enhancing the role of women in forestry, and addressing socio-environmental challenges. My role in these events involved facilitating sessions, capturing insights, and ensuring key takeaways were documented, helping to shape strategies for policy advocacy and community-driven solutions.
Find more about these events:
7. Digital Communicator
As a digital communicator and photographer, I have created content to disseminate project outcomes through wider social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and various websites. Using my photography skills, I documented the field activities and the journey of these women entrepreneurs, capturing everything from the restoration process to the development of their products. This visual storytelling helped raise awareness and engage a broader audience in the impact of the project, showcasing the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of these women.
