Rewilding in the developing world as an alternative development pathway: The example of forest regeneration in the middle hills of Nepal

Human migration is having profound effects on socio-ecological systems. Through a narrative review of the literature, this paper examines how the emergence of forest on abandoned agricultural land in Nepal in response to out-migration, amongst other factors, could help to respond to the biodiversity and climate change crises by way of regenerative forestry. A critical analysis of the benefits and disadvantages of a wider acceptance of forest regeneration – or rewilding – in Nepal's middle hills is undertaken to present arguments for an alternative development pathway that could provide unique opportunities for innovative, yet resilient futures for biodiversity-rich developing countries like Nepal. While policy and research in Nepal has focussed on forestry, agriculture and rural livelihoods at local scales, beneficial outcomes from the regeneration of forest ecosystems on abandoned farmland are examined here at local, national and global scales, in association with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the recently adopted Global Biodiversity Framework. Multiple benefits are recognised from rewilding and reforestation, for landscape restoration, provisioning and regulating services. Income sources such as nature-based tourism and payments for ecosystem services now offer alternative financial mechanisms to improve environmental outcomes in transitioning landscapes while empowering communities connecting with nature. Yet, our analysis identified that livelihoods associated with forest succession – or rewilding – would need to be made resilient to local trade-offs, including food security, wildlife conflict and negative perceptions of reafforestation. Rewilding within developing countries will only be achieved via a broader acknowledgement of contemporary landscape change as an opportunity in association with targeted support at all levels – from global recognition for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, to local livelihood support from agroforestry systems. To achieve a goal of revaluing forest regeneration in Nepal, policy would need to be adopted to sustainably oversee local transformations at a landscape scale. • Regenerating forests enable transitions to Sustainable Development Goals. • Reflexive governance of emerging forests offers an alternative development pathway. • Green development could deliver global biodiversity and climate benefits. • Conservation and climate mitigation opportunities need international policy support. • Alternative livelihoods require resilience to trade-offs and support for new opportunities.