SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY FORESTRY IN NEPAL: INSIGHTS FROM SIRANCHOWK RURAL MUNICIPALITY, GORKHA

The transition toward sustainable energy in rural Nepal remains a pressing challenge due to heavy reliance on traditional biomass and limited access to modern alternatives.This study explores the nexus between community forestry and household energy consumption in Siranchowk Rural Municipality, Gorkha.It focuses on the potential of community-managed forests to contribute to energy security.Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates household surveys (n = 200), GIS-based forest cover analysis , and qualitative insights from key informant interviews and focus group discussions.Findings reveal that over 70% of households depend primarily on firewood, with limited but increasing adoption of biogas and solar technologies.Regression analysis highlights household income ( = 0.62, p < 0.01), CFUG membership ( = 0.47, p < 0.05), and access to subsidies ( = 0.39, p < 0.05) as significant predictors of renewable energy uptake.Spatial NDVI analysis indicates vegetation regeneration in areas with strong CFUG governance, demonstrating the ecological benefits of community forestry.However, economic constraints, policy fragmentation, and gendered labor burdens hinder broader transitions.The study recommends strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for community-based energy governance, expanding targeted subsidies, and aligning forestry and energy policies.By empirically linking decentralized forest governance with energy sustainability, this research contributes to a better understanding of how local institutions can drive equitable and environmentally responsible energy transitions in forest-dependent regions.These findings have broader implications for climate resilience and rural development strategies in Nepal and other developing economies.