Can collaborative governance increase community resilience to hazards: A case study from Nepal

Russell, Caroline Elizabeth ORCID: 0000-0002-4613-1845 (2024). Can collaborative governance increase community resilience to hazards: A case study from Nepal. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis argues for a deeper understanding of the discourse of collaboration, and its influence on emerging collaborative governance regimes in LMIC such as Nepal. Collaborative Governance has become an axiom within disaster risk reduction (DRR) lauded as the best way to reduce risk and increase resilience to hazard; it is a critical part of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda. Yet, despite the recognition CG has there are still questions surrounding the discourse of CG and how it impacts and shapes the governance of DRR. This work utilised a range of approaches from discursive institutionalism to challenge the axiom of CG using Nepal as a case study. Starting with a historical analysis of key policy documents I explore the evolution of collaboration within Nepal’s DRR policy landscape. This work shows how collaboration has emerged through two trajectories, a formal path between the state and international partners such as NGOs and the UN, and an informal path that emerged from the necessity of day-to-day governance needs in remote areas.

These two trajectories are still seen today and influence the narratives that are shaping the current national reforms around DRR. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with DRR actors working at different scales in Nepali DRR, I identify three narratives that are driving a state-sponsored strategy to implement a collaborative governance regime for DRR. These narratives are in line with the international DRR agenda that promotes the local as the primary scale of action. However, my analysis shows that these narratives emphasise top-down state-led goals that risk overlooking the municipal scale government and local communities from meaningful contributions to the emerging collaborative governance regime (CGR) and marginalising local-scale politics. This has resulted in a lack of implementation of key local-scale DRR projects and reforms. Further, I question if the emerging CGR is a truly collaborative and sustainable project.

The tensions that exist between the local and national scale have a marked impact on communities living in remote hazard-prone areas in Nepal, such as the poor implementation of policy reforms including non-functioning community-level DRR groups, unspent DRR funds, and continued lack of access to services. Drawing on interviews taken with community members in Sunkuda this work concludes by exploring the lack of engagement from CG that communities continue to face in Nepal. I argue that alongside the challenges of local scale politics, communities are further overlooked due to the influence resilience of practice in Nepal and its impact has on the emerging CGR. I suggest that to gain a deeper understanding of CG and its potential to reduce risk and increase resilience we need to understand how resilience in Nepal is shaping the emerging CRG in Nepal.

This thesis contributes to scholarship that explores the efficacy of CG to address wicked environmental problems. It calls for more attention to be given to the discursive impact of CG in the fight to increase resilience for remote vulnerable communities in Nepal.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):