What we do
Four pillars, one mandate
Our work with member associations runs across governance, conservation, livelihoods, and rights, equity and justice — each reinforcing the others.
Pillar 1
Governance
Strengthening community structures so decisions about land, forests, water and wildlife are made with communities, not for them.
The Forum builds the capacity of Village Natural Resource Committees and Zone Natural Resource Committees, supports transparent leadership elections, and represents member associations in national co-management dialogue with government and partners.
- Capacity building for VNRCs and ZNRCs
- Transparent, accountable association leadership
- Representation in national co-management platforms
- Benefit-sharing agreements with protected area authorities
Pillar 2
Conservation
Protecting forests, wildlife, fisheries and water resources through community-led stewardship of protected areas and their buffer zones.
Member associations patrol and monitor community forests, run nurseries and reforestation programmes in buffer zones and on customary land, and work alongside the Parks Department and Forestry authorities on co-management of protected landscapes.
- Community forest patrols and resource monitoring
- Buffer zone and customary land reforestation
- Human-wildlife coexistence measures
- Fisheries and catchment protection
Pillar 3
Livelihoods
Building income from well-managed resources — beekeeping, agroforestry, fisheries, and enterprise linked to conservation outcomes.
Conservation only holds when it pays. The Forum supports member associations to develop nature-based enterprises, access markets, and channel revenue-sharing income into community priorities.
- Nature-based enterprise and market access
- Beekeeping, agroforestry and non-timber products
- Community reinvestment of revenue-share income
- Climate-resilient agriculture in buffer communities
Pillar 4
Rights, Equity & Justice
Defending community rights over natural resources, and making sure women, youth and marginalised groups hold real decision-making power.
The Forum advocates for legal recognition of community rights, supports redress where communities are excluded from resources or benefits, and sets inclusion standards for representation within member associations.
- Legal recognition of community resource rights
- Women and youth in association leadership
- Fair, transparent benefit sharing
- Policy advocacy and grievance support