November 6, 1998
The Nepal Non-Timber Forest Products Network Advisory Group (NNNAG), an informal group of Nepal NTFP Network members who are actively involved and/or interested in the field of NTFPs management, met for the first time on November 6, 1998 at ANSAB office. The main objectives of the meeting were to: 1) discuss how the network can better serve the people at the grassroots level; 2) identify the issues that the network can or should tackle; 3) identify important roles that the network can play; 4) determine what strategies are needed to perform its roles; and 5) decide what contributions can be made by different organizations to complement the initiative taken by ANSAB.
Those who were present in the meeting are:
Surya B. Binayee, Ram P. Acharya and Rupa Shrestha of ANSAB were also present to provide logistical and other support during the meeting.
The agenda of the meeting were:
The Summary of the Discussions and Conclusion of the Meeting:
1. Mr. Subedi welcomed all the participants and briefly mentioned the objectives and agenda of the meeting. The participants gave their introduction highlighting their experience and interest in NTFP sector.
2. Before moving on to the discussions, Mr. Subedi gave a brief overview of the Network and its previous activities. The Nepal Non Timber Forest Products Network (NNN) was established in 1995 and is being coordinated by Biodiversity Program of ANSAB. At present the network consists of more than 50 institutional and 250 individual members representing local and international business persons, producer’s associations, researchers, and others involved in the collection, processing, and sale of NTFPs. The coordination committee of the network has representation from several departments of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation including the Community Forestry Division, research and training organizations, private companies, and ANSAB.
In the past, the network has provided technical assistance to 11 community groups for conducting feasibility studies, training, and business development services. It also completed 18 small research studies in this sector, conducted survey and produced Nepal NTFP Entrepreneurs’ Directory, established a data base of NTFP traders, published two issues of NNN Newsletters, and organized a national workshop on NTFP. ANSAB also houses samples, herbaria and literature that are accessible to members as well non-members. ANSAB has its own homepage in the Internet, the address (the URL site) is http://www.PanAsia.org.sg/nepalnet/ansab/home.htm
3. Brainstorming was done to identify the main issues that the Network can or should tackle. The discussion continued to explore the important roles that the network can play and how best the Network can perform these roles.
4. The issues for the sustainable utilization of NTFPs identified by the participants were:
5. The following roles were recommended to play by the Network:
6. In order to perform the above roles the Network was suggested to initiate the following strategic functions:
7. In order to support the networking activities coordinated by ANSAB the following contributions will be made by the organization of the participants present in the meeting: IUCN- Provide recent scientific information and species status about threatened, endangered, CITES species etc.; and provide conservation strategy through IUCN and specialist group on medicinal plants.
NAF - Assist in providing training at grass-root level; provide information on existing condition of NTFP activities as well as resource base of six NAF districts; and provide sample and marketing information of commercial NTFPs.
SNV - Provide internet home page inputs, technical expertise, and marketing training materials; develop international linkages (SNV+RECOFTC); and assist in organizing/coordinating workshop, meetings and database entry, proposal writing and fund raising, and in categorizing books and other publications for library.
NACFP - Provide small grants for NTFP promotion activities; act as network member; and provide various NTFP information collected from the field.
NUKCFP - Act as network member; represent organization; and share cost depending upon the nature of the program.
CECI - Active participation in Network’s meetings and other activities; and provide technical expertise and reference materials in English and Nepali on NTFP management and cultivation.
FECOFUN - Active coordination in informing and involving users groups and various organization in this network; and assist in dissemination of information through different media.
8. It was decided that the group meets every two months. Mr. Hari P. Neupane, FECOFUN will chair the next meeting that will be held on Friday, January 8, 1998 at ANSAB office. Mr. Subedi will circulate the minutes of this meeting before the next meeting. Some of the agenda that will be included in the next meetings are:
