Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 8

Public Land Forests (PLFs) are emerging as a practical and inclusive nature-based solution for restoring degraded landscapes while strengthening climate resilience in the Churia–Terai region of Nepal. This study examines whether PLFs contribute meaningfully to ecological restoration through participatory, agroforestry-based approaches, guided by the hypothesis that community-led PLF interventions enhance ecological integrity and adaptive capacity in climate-vulnerable river systems. The study was conducted under the Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal (BRCRN) project, covering 26 river systems. A mixed-methods framework integrating geospatial analysis, climate adaptation assessment, Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) tools, stakeholder consultations, and field validation was employed to capture both ecological and socio-economic dimensions. The study identified 83 PLF sites, spanning 3,244 ha across 18 river systems, as priority areas for restoration. Geospatial techniques, including satellite imagery (Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8), NDVI analysis, Digital Elevation Models (DEM), and GIS-based land use and terrain analysis, enabled systematic identification and prioritisation of degraded public lands with high restoration potential. The findings indicate that PLFs play a significant role in stabilising riverbanks, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon, thereby reducing flood and sedimentation risks while improving local resilience to climate variability. Importantly, participatory governance and inclusive benefit-sharing mechanisms foster local ownership and ensure that restoration benefits reach marginalised and vulnerable communities. Despite supportive policy provisions, challenges related to land tenure clarity, institutional coordination, and data integration continue to limit wider implementation. The study underscores that scaling PLFs as a landscape restoration strategy requires stronger institutional alignment, improved governance mechanisms, and sustained investment to effectively link ecological restoration with livelihood improvement and climate mitigation goals.