Since April 1995 the Network remained active with its Coordination Committee (CC), Sharing Meeting (SM) members, earlier known as NNN Advisory Group, Task Forces, and general members. In 2001, the NNN meetings and workshops deliberated on several important issues relating to strengthening NNN itself as well as NTFP policies and programs of wider relevance. Several Task Forces delved into specific issues and explored options.
The Network activities have contributed to sharing of knowledge and information, collaboration among NTFP actors and minimization of duplication of efforts. Through serious deliberations, it has identified some strategic NTFP promotion intervention nodes: training, marketing, policy review, and they are being addressed by several organizations. Overall, NTFP as a conservation and development agenda has been highlighted at national as well as international levels.
A total of four (tenth to thirteenth) NNN Sharing Meetings (NNN-SM)) were held in 2001.The Task Force on National register of Medicinal Plants prepared the comments on the Register published by IUCN which was shared in the meeting. The Register was found to miss many popular plants. Suggestions were made for inadequate information on use, indigenous technology and medicinal values.
The meeting formed a NNN Task Force comprising 10 members on Current Regulation in NTFP Royalty Rates to look after the issues on behalf of NNN. It was noted that a set of criteria was developed for fixing of royalty rates, and that current rates were being reviewed. This sharing meeting discussed on issues of multiple taxation and cases of contradictions on implementation of tax laws.
A NNN Task Force on Providing Policy Feedback for Tenth Five-Year Plan was also formed comprising of professionals from diverse backgrounds and submitted policy feedback to National Planning Commission. Follow-up matters of government initiatives were discussed and the need to disseminate only the proven information on NTFPs was pointed out
Considering the need of compiling relevant information on NTFP technologies, a NNN Task Force on Technological Information was formed. Outcomes of the Task Force on Technological Information were also reviewed. Discussions and recommendations of Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha (HJSS) were also considered in the meeting. The formal registration of HJSS is in process.The NNN Task Force for NNN Operational Policy, having completed its job of finalizing the Operational Policy has now been ipso facto terminated.
Providing Policy Feedback for Tenth Five-year Plan
NNN Task Force on Providing Policy Feedback for Tenth Five-Year Plan was formed at the thirteenth NNN Sharing Meeting held on November 30, 2001 and was to submit recommendations to National Planning Commission (NPC) in a great rush. Task Force members interactively worked out mission for NTFP sub-sector. Following policy recommendations have been forwarded to the National Planning Commissions.
National Register of Medicinal Plants
The ninth NNN Sharing Meeting (NNN-SM) held on August 31, 2000 gave attention on National Register of Medicinal Plants, published by IUCN Nepal. The meeting identified the need to improve the book to meet its objectives. A task force was formed to review the book. The tenth NNN sharing meeting held on January 26, 2001 shared the outcome of the work of task force.
This publication is a valuable contribution of IUCN Nepal towards the implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Despite all the qualities and valuable efforts, there is sufficient room to improve the book such as by including the missed out popular plants and their varieties and adding adequate information on various uses, indigenous technology and medical values, and correcting anomalies in taxonomic identity.
As the presentation cum discussion session for the book review was postponed due to national tragedy, it will be organized through the Task Force decision in 2002. The main objective is to present the outcome of work of the task force and develop strategy and plan of action for the future.
The NNN Task Force on Current Regulation in NTFP Royalty Rates was formed through a decision of NNN Sharing Meeting held on July 6, 2001. Through a series of meetings, the Task Force worked out a set of criteria that should be used to determine the royalty rates for individual NTFPs.
Suggested Criteria
· Parts used; Market price at local levels; Regeneration (life cycle- long, medium and short); Domestication potential; Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) category and Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Nepal listing; Scale of consumption; and Resources availability, availability and distribution
The Task Force also listed and verified the NTFPs included in the list of royalty in Forest Regulations by their vernacular name, common name, Latin name, prevailing royalty rate, recommended rates and current market price. A number of contradictions were observed such as different rates for same species in one hand and same rate for quite differentiated.
HIMALI JADIBUTI SAROKAR SAMUHA
- Bhishma P. Subedi and Hari Dhungana*
With a step forward to conventional community forestry practices, second generation community forestry entails reorientation in processes, approaches and allocation of resources towards ensuring decent livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. There are examples to indicate forest user groups (FUGs) or local enterprises or other institutions experiencing some form of transformation in the learning process of community forestry. This change is premised upon the fact that the greater the sustained economic incentives, the higher motivation for conservation of resource base particularly Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Increasing recognition of role of NTFPs in livelihoods generation of communities also marks the shift in conventional community forest management practices.
NTFP subsector includes five components: a) NTFP and associated forest resources; b) stakeholders of NTFP; c) market; d) technology; and e) policy and regulatory environment. Most of outcomes of initiatives on any or all these subsector components are affected by the interplay among and within these components. Many attempts are underway that focus on specific subsector components and tend to be severely constrained to success by their incompleteness in coverage. We cannot expect for example to rule out other subsector components while conserving or otherwise promoting NTFP and associated forest resources. With the experience of over 7 years in the NTFP subsector, ANSAB is making efforts to consolidate whole the NTFP sub-sector of Nepal in its entirety.
Even if all NTFP subsector components are dynamic, the fifth component of NTFP policy and regulatory environment experiences higher level of uncertainty, contradictions and inconsistencies. This reality is realized at various levels, yet attempts to avoid or minimize these anomalies and aberrations are still an unfulfilled experience. Despite vast wealth of NTFP resources in Nepal Himalaya there have been certain procedural, structural and other gaps in regulatory and policy environment to enable communities sufficiently benefit out of the use and management of these resources. Deliberations at various forums across broad array of stakeholders indicate that areas such as the following require revisits in the policy component of the NTFP sub-sector:
Initiatives of ANSAB in enterprise based biodiversity conservation, particularly in the process of establishing sustained positive linkages across conserving NTFP resources and generating livelihoods, have included components that aim to address the ever-evolving set of challenges and issues. Global Conservation Program (GCP) funded Enterprise Based Biodiversity Conservation Project, for instance, is based on devolutionary planning process and attempts are underway to constructively link and integrate concerns evidenced in project implementation with those of policy formulation processes.
This paper briefly discusses an innovative partnership mechanism co-created and being consolidated to generate policy debates to lead to an enabling policy and regulatory environment in NTFP sub-sector.
A workshop was organized in August 2000 to review progress of Enterprise Based Biodiversity Conservation Project and to plan a set of activities for the second year of the project. The workshop brought together representatives and officials from District Development Committees (DDC), Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC) andDepartment of Forests (DoF), ANSAB and some other non-governmental organizations (NGO). District officials and local body representatives were represented from Karnali zone and Bajhang district where ANSAB is implementing this project.
While discussing project-relevant issues on conservation, development and management of jadibuti resources of the region, the participants from both government and non-governmental sector raised the need for consolidation of efforts of Himali jadibuti stake
holders in developing more pragmatic policies and regulations that ensure both livelihood concerns of local people, while positively contributing to the national priorities. It was understood and appreciated that government authorities tend to maintain status quo in their traditional processes of policy formulation. The current practice in many instances happens to be indifferent to ground needs and changing environments. As local governments and civil societies are more closely associated with the people and therefore are better cognizant of their needs and priorities, the workshop participants realized that a forum of such group of people would be instrumental to raise concerns of grassroots people to ensure their effective say in the use and management of NTFP resources, and sharing of benefits arising out of it.
Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha was conceived during this workshop to contribute to developing pragmatic policies in NTFP sector. Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha (HJSS) was then formed to include non-governmental stakeholders associated to all districts of Karnali zone and bajhang district in Seti zone. It was considered that government stakeholders at district levels would be constrained to participate in policy advocacy for reforms in the NTFP sub-sector.
The goal and objectives of HJSS was first discussed in August 2000, and reviewed and finalized in 2001. The main goal of the HJSS is to contribute to the development of appropriate policies in the NTFP and biodiversity sector in the context of Himalaya of Nepal. To achieve this goal HJSS will work on the following four key objectives:
· Periodically review and synthesize field realities
relating to the NTFP resource utilization, conservation
and marketing in the western Nepal Himalaya
· Identify concrete policy issues, conclusions and
lessons
· Disseminate the identified issues and the options
through the media
· Apprise the relevant authorities of the policy issues
and provide them options for policy development and
improved implementation
HJSS was agreed to be an informal, non-political and independent group of organizations having similar visions in the NTFP management sector. Since there is no formal line of command and organizational structure within the group, self-commitment, mutual understanding and willingness to work collaboratively are the key forces that sustain the group.
At present the group has a focus of western Himalaya,
and if similar stakeholder from other Himalayan regions of the country show their interests to work together for the same cause, the HJSS may welcome similar representations from across the country. As HJSS was conceived in the year 2000, it did not take its organizational shape over one year. ANSAB in consultation with HJSS members considered the need to expedite its organizational process. The first meeting of HJSS, held in August 2001, was also instrumental to define its structure and relations across three different entities (i.e. General Members, Executive Committee, and Steering Committee).
The current composition of the HJSS is as follows:
Members of Parliament (MPs) of Karnali Zone and Bajhang district; DDC Chairpersons of Karnali Zone and Bajhang; District FECOFUN chairpersons of Karnali Zone and Bajhang ANSAB Coordinator
The first meeting of HJSS also recognized the establishment of its district chapters though it is not prerequisite to the organization. These chapters may be constituted based on district-specific needs and also on commitment of stakeholders not included in other entities.
HJSS has been conceived to play unique roles in dealing with matters of regulatory and policy processes associated to Himalayan NTFP development in Nepal. Amid a growing number of organizations and networks, the HJSS has many advantages with respect to its unique nature, structure, themes and processes. To serve the goal and objectives, HJSS would require three broad categories of activities.
a. Implementation of projects/programs
The HJSS members have unique opportunities and strengths to associate in variety of ways with activities, programs, projects or other relevant affairs relating to conservation, management, use, trade or other sort of enterprise on NTFPs. DDC for instance through local governance and other decentralization regulations is associated to regulate trade or transit of NTFPs out of the district. Similarly ANSAB is vibrantly expanding its activities across whole of NTFP subsector and deserves the potential to influence in virtually all of the subsector components in synergistic patterns. The implementation of diverse programs or projects from organizations representing HJSS members provides insights to further explore potential of NTFPs in the rural livelihoods and thereby adapt advocacy and lobby initiatives in a direction that will secures the interests of forest-dependent communities.
b. Analysis of policy issues
HJSS provides a forum and mechanism for analyzing policy
and regulatory issues across both horizontal and vertical continuum involved in Nepal's policy development and implementation process. The first meeting of HJSS has developed a mechanism to pass issues through a rigorous process whereby all relevant stakeholders participate in deliberations, and provisions are in place to ensure that the concerns of the grassroots people and organizations are duly accounted. On the other side the concern and interests of policy or regulatory organizations are shared at various levels so as to scrutinize their logical linkages with the interests of other stakeholders.
c. Advocacy for Enabling policy and
regulations
A number of advocacy approaches are already in place as has been adopted in different fields. HJSS is set to adopt unique advocacy initiatives towards developing enabling policy and regulations on NTFP sub-sector with special focus on Himalayan region.
Collaborative Efforts : HJSS initiates advocacy debates based on shared needs and realization of issues of interest. Advocacy activities will proceed in a collaborative manner, each category of stakeholder being recognized for their unique roles.
Rigorous Process : Issues of the NTFP subsector are complex and deserve a well thought out process to analyze them to make meaningful recommendations. Two way horizontal as well as vertical communication across HJSS members provides way for broader sharing of issues and consequently higher level of appreciation and commitments.
Diversity in Approach : Diverse advocacy approaches are required to deal with diverse issues. At times, HJSS is required to deal with district level government stakeholders, while in other instances with the Parliament, Ministries, National Planning Commission or DoF as cases may require.
Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha (HJSS) entails an evolving mechanism to contribute to development of pragmatic policies and regulations governing the NTFP sub-sector in Nepal. Through diverse representation in the organization and appreciation of stakes of grassroots people and other stakeholders, it strives to promote constructive debates to democratize policy formulation processes. HJSS would require and deserve further commitment of its members on one hand and support of other organizations and professionals on the other to serve its cause.
* The authors are respectively Dierector and Forestry Officer at ANSAB
PARTICIPATORY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- Tran Ngoc Hai*
With support from Social Forestry Support Program (SFSP), we are applying Participatory Technology Development (PTD) in community based resource management. PTD is based on entirely new way of looking at knowledge, whereby local knowledge of villagers is understood to be just as important as any scientifically generated knowledge for the management of resources. However, the two types of knowledge are very different. The challenge in PTD is therefore to arrange for creative interaction between the knowledge, the experiences and the information of villagers with those of scientifically trained researchers. The systemic but often unreflected knowledge, and the complex underlying situation of villagers is to be combined with scientific analytical skills of scientists. The emphasis then is to conduct practical trials together with the villagers.
Villagers constantly try out combinations and see how that work. The strike in PTD is to arrange for an environment, which supports this natural process. The interaction between villagers and scientists often needs facilitation, which is best done by experienced advisors as they have the required communication skills.
The approach can best be depicted in a triangular model with farmers, researchers, and advisors all co-operating in order to develop new things that really work in farmer conditions, whereby the role of the advisor is mainly the facilitation of the process of PTD.
Specific steps and process of PTD include:
Meeting with farmers to introduce objectives, methods and content
Village visits to have overview (also use PRA results)
Discuss with households about ideas to try out ; Experiment planning
Meeting with farmers to discuss and select feasible experiments
Planning activity for selected experiments
Implementing the selected experiments
PTD evaluation and open planning experiment
Focus of experiments about preserving, conserving, collecting, planting and utilizing NTFPs.
* The author works at Social forestry Training Center (SFTC) in Forestry University of Viet Nam
STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION OF NTFPS IN ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
A Rapid Assessment Survey of NTFPs was undertaken during 1998-2000 by the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh, India. Each assessment team comprised of an ethno-botanist, local health practitioner, NGO, Tribal Welfare Department representative and forest officials. The team members made extensive field visits to potential medicinal plant areas in the forests and also interacted with local villagers including local health practitioners. The team could document many of the available NTFPs and also assign the rare, endangered and threatened status based on their perception. The survey team also tried to capture the traditional knowledge of local health practitioners and gain an insight into the usage of different medicinal plants and marketable NTFPs.
A series of workshops were conducted in the State dividing the area into three zones i.e. Telangana, Rayalaseema, and Circar to enable the several Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) teams share their experiences. Issues relating to scientific harvesting, processing and marketing of NTFPs were also discussed during the three workshops. The following is a summary of recommendations made by the RAS groups regarding conservation, harvesting and value addition and marketing of NTFPs.
A key recommendation is to identify certain potential areas having high occurrence of important medicinal plants/NTFPs and species diversity for further development as Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCAs). Considering MPCAs as gene pool conservation areas, the objective is to conserve gene pool of important NTFPs in the wild form and restrict the harvesting of species from the wild population. This is the underlying principle for the creation of MPCAs. Recognizing this as a viable approach to conserving medicinal plants in the State, Andhra Pradesh forest department has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT), Bangalore on conservation and development of NTFPs in the forests of Andhra Pradesh by creating MPCAs and Medicinal Plant Development Area (MPDAs).
Criteria for Selection of Medicinal Plant Conservation Area
Priority should be given to high medicinal plant species diversity areas and ecosystems that are free from law and order problems and have comparatively less biotic interference. The area should have endemic, rare, endangered or vulnerable species. Average area of each MPCA must be around 200-250 ha to allow adequate area of plant population to be contained. In case of rich canopy with special microclimate, and high species diversity smaller areas can also be considered, but it should not be less than 50 ha. Areas having well defined
natural boundaries preferably a micro watershed area may be considered. Importance should be given to existing sacred groves.
· Record the presence of the species as well as their
distribution pattern
· Conduct botanical studies in MPCA in partnership
with local people such as local health practitioners
and Vaidyas. This should be done in three different
seasons (spring, monsoon period and post monsoon
period).
· Record during the survey, the details of slope, as
pect, altitude, local names, frequency of occurrence,
and regeneration status.
· Analyze data using appropriate statistical analysis
tools.
Education and Extension
· Establish demonstration plots of important medicinal
plants within the vicinity of MPCAs.
· Lay down nature trials and establish interpretation
centers for educating the locals. Also conduct
eco-study tours for local children.
· Introduce awareness courses on medicinal plants and
their role in the ecosystem in schools and colleges.
· Produce and distribute publication in local language
on importance of medicinal plants in basic primary
health care.
· Educate local people especially the young generation
about the importance of MPCA and its conservation.
Local Vaidyas, teachers, NGOs and other interested
people should be involved for this purpose.
Species Recovery Plan for Endangered Species
Based on the results of survey, species have to be prioritized and the status may be given as 'rare', 'vulnerable', 'endangered' or others, using IUCN classification and depending upon its medicinal value. Certain areas that contain rare and endemic species can be declared as 'No harvest sites'. Such areas (MPCA) must be protected with 'social fencing' or by any such means to reduce biotic pressure. Natural regeneration (in-situ conservation) should be encouraged with protection measures and cultural operations Artificial regeneration (ex-situ conservation) through stem cuttings, tissue cultures and other appropriate methods may be done to supplement where population of that species is low. Modern technology like Mist chambers, root trainer nurseries can be used for artificial regeneration.
Regulation of Harvest in MPCAs
MPCA should be closed for commercial exploitation,
while low level harvesting for local use may be allowed. Commercial harvesting can be allowed on a sustainable use basis for selection of species that can be regenerated. But for species, which are under the list of rare or endangered, should not be allowed for harvesting. If Local Health Practitioner (LHP) is exclusively dependent upon the NTFPs of proposed MPCA, then care must be taken to provide alternative income generating activity for their livelihoods. Traditional uses may be regulated in the following ways:
· Consider the regeneration of plants with utmost care
while designing sustainable harvesting, as it is
the most important aspect of sustainable MPCA
management.
· Allow grazing, fuel collection, fruit and flower
collection on a rotational basis by dividing the
available area into two or more blocks (allowing
only one block at a time to be used).
· Involve local people through the joint forest
management concept. Encourage them to raise
nurseries of NTFPs that can augment income levels
of the local people.
Cultivation of important NTFPs in agricultural lands:
· Identify and encourage cultivation of species suitable
to that particular area and climate by prioritizing
species based on cultivation practices and commercial
viability. Inter-cropping of NTFPs should be encouraged.
Besides, local people in MPCA areas must also
be encouraged to cultivate medicinal plants in their
kitchen garden. Initially the forest department must
provide stock and technology for the establishment
of nursery.
· Explore and provide marketing linkages to farmers
going for cultivation.
· Make buy back arrangement through Girijan
Co-operative Corporation (GCC)/ Andhra Pradesh
Forest Department Corporation (APFDC).
· Co-ordinate with other institution such as Central
Institute for Dry Land and Agriculture (CRIDA).
Role of Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) in Conservation of NTFPs in Forest Areas
In areas where VSS are not present, Local Management Committees (LMCs) can be formed following the similar procedure as in VSS. These committees can be involved in fire protection and lessening the biotic interference in potential medicinal plant areas.VSS should be involved in developing nurseries of prioritized commercially viable, rare and endangered species. VSS villages must be made as model villages of Medicinal Plants Conservation. Awareness programs must be organized with the help of VSS.A local 'Village Revolving Fund' should be created to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Peace Corps Volunteers In NTFP Development
-Brian Becker
Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) have been active in the promotion of the sustainable conservation of natural resources for over twenty years in Nepal. The American Peace Corps (PC) currently has about 15 PCVs posted in District Forest Offices (DFO), District Soil Conservation Offices (DSCO), National Parks and with Natural Resource Management (NRM) related NGOs in different parts of the country. This article highlights the NTFP related activities of some of the recent volunteers.
Bill LaBarre, a Community Forestry Volunteer posted in the Nuwakot DFO, assisted several Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) in Nuwakot District to establish NTFP plantations for income generation. During the 1999-2000-work season he facilitated an agreement between these CFUGs, DANIDA's NARMSAP and Dabur Nepal to obtain Pipla (Piper longum), and Lauth Salla (Taxus bacatta). With their own funds and a matching grant from NARMSAP, the CFUGs purchased 1,000 Pipla cuttings and 1,200 Lauth Salla seedlings for planting during that year's growing season. The CFUGs are now contracted as out-growers on the Dabur Nepal buy-back program. Beginning in the 2002 work-season the CFUGs will begin propagating their own cuttings from the original material.
In Eastern Nepal, Eric Steffens, Soil Conservation Volunteer in the Sankhuwasabha District Soil Conservation Office (DSCO), and Mike Spinelli, Soil Conservation Volunteer in the Terhathum DSCO organized Chiraito (Swertia chirayita) training. In conjunction with The Mountain Institute (TMI) they conducted the five-day training for about 45 farmers who came from Terhathum, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur and Ilam districts. The training, conducted from November 15th to 20th, 2000, was held in Basantapur, Terhathum and Pakribas, Dhankuta with a field visit to see established plantations in Chowki, Terhathum. The first three days allowed the participants opportunities to share their own experiences of cultivating Chiraito. The last two days were spent at Pakribas, where they met Pakhribas staff members and toured the nurseries. While the participants appreciated the work being conducted at Pakhribas, they felt that nurseries were not necessary for the cultivation of Chiraito. Participants with experience in Chiraito cultivation shared their technique: seed collection late in the fall is accomplished by laying plastic sheets around the plants at the time of harvest to catch the extremely small seeds. The seeds are cold stored through the winter and then soaked for 24 hours in cold water prior to broadcasting onto pre-burned fields in the spring. The seeds are mixed with sand, probably to facilitate handling, due to their extremely small size. After propagating for two years, the fields become well established, seeds being disbursed at the time of harvesting. One participant remarked that in his well-established field, his primary labor input now is transplanting to new fields, as the natural regeneration from harvest-time disbursed seeds is too dense. Another method employed in the area is to plaster the seeds directly onto terrace risers with gobar, a cow-dung mixture. The staff of TMI was compiling the experiences from this training into a manual that was to be available later in 2000.
Finally, Brian Becker, Community Forester in the Panchthar and Bajhang DFOs, worked extensively with hand made paper made from Lokta, Daphne bhoula. In Bajhang district, he worked with the field staff of ANSAB and the members of the Malika Hate-Kagaj Udyog; an ANSAB supported community-based enterprise. In the spring of 2000 he field-tested the regression equation developed in 1984 by Jeanrenauld for estimating Daphne biomass. His results suggest that the equation over-estimates the available biomass obtained by the traditional techniques employed by collectors in the far west by as much as two-thirds. This has important implication for the development of CF management plans that include Lokta as a managed species. Additionally, he assisted CFUG members to establish experimental Lokta nurseries in both Panchthar and Bajhang districts. Propagation from cuttings, particularly semi-hardwood cuttings obtained at the beginning of the monsoon had good survival and approximately two-third set root. However, the cuttings were very light sensitive and required good shade cover during the first year. Results from seed collection and direct seeding into polythene bags also promises a simple means of propagation as germination rates were high (77%). The main problem with both of these methods is obtaining material, which must be collected at the beginning of monsoon, when environmental conditions are not particularly favorable. While propagation of Daphne is feasible and shows good promise for areas where it has been extirpated. Forests with existing stands of Daphne can be easily managed on a selective cutting and rotation system basis.(Interested parties should contact ANSAB for details.)
In November, 2000 PCVs participated in an NARMSAP sponsored NTFP experience sharing workshop. PCVs continue to find the NTFP sector an interesting and challenging place to work. PCVs will continue to promote the sustainable management and utilization of NTFPs and plans to bring in more volunteers to work in the NRM sector.
Mr.Becker was Peace Corps Volunteer for Nepal 1997-2000
HERBAL TEA
PRODUCTION IN JUMLA
A SUCCESSFUL
MICRO-ENTERPRISE
- Netra Bhandari, ANSAB
A farmer of Jumla Mr. Shiva Chandra Khatri has started micro-enterprise of herbal tea. Herbal tea is locally known as Jadibuti Chiya or Ghodemacho Chiya. There existed the traditional practices of using herbal drinks in Jumla. Mr. Khatri of Chandanath VDC strengthens the traditional practices by bringing it to the local market of Jumla. He added some other commonly known herbs other than Ghodemacho to enhance the flavor and medicinal properties of the herbal tea to place in the local market. For more than two years, he spent his time mainly in making this tea familiar to the Jumli people for its importance and use. The tea contains five highly valuable medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Their names, parts used, medicinal use and content are given in Table A.
Table A
Ghodemachho
Ram Tulsi
Pudino
Lautho
Gandhaino
Thyme (Thymus Linearis)
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)
Mint (Mentha arvensis
Himalayan yew (Taxus baccata)
Pleurospermum dentatum
Whole aeriel part
Leaves
Leaves
barks & Leaves
Root
Used for allergy, blood
purificaion, fever
cough, common cold,
fever and asthma
stomach relieve, indigestion,
cough, appetiser
headache, diarrhoea,
carminative and stomach relieve
indigestion, gastritis,
stomach relieve
55%
20%
10%
10%
5%
The herbal tea is sold in 5gm and 10gm packets for a price of NRs. 5 and NRs.10 respectively. He also sold this tea to different offices, projects, travel agencies, tourists and people visiting Jumla. His tea packages are sold in five retail shops in Jumla. He has also established nursery near the forest at the altitude of 2700m. During this year, Mr. Khatri have produced 270 kg of herbal tea and is expecting to earn about NRs. 150,000. This year he also sold his tea to some Indian traders and in Surkhet, Nepalganj and Janakpur market.
packed herbal tea
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
A CASE OF BHITTERI PAKHA CFUG, BOCH DOLAKHA
- Ram Prasad Acharya
Background
Bhitteri Pakha Community Forest User Group (FUG) , Dolakha district, central Nepal (Boch VDC 1, 2, and 3) was formed in 1993. The community long protected this community forest as panchayat forest. Prior to promulgation of Forest Act 1993, a small patch of 16 hectares of plantation area was handed over to the FUG in this year.
In the beginning, the experience of Dolakha District Forest Office (DFO) in facilitating community forestry was limited and staff were a bit hesitant to hand over forest to local community as a community forest. Both DFO staff and FUG gained confidence in managing the forest as soon as it was handed over. As the area was too small to fulfil the forest product requirements of the community, and with the realization of commercial use of some of the species found in the locality, the forest area was expanded to include additional patches of 329 hectares of natural forests in 1997 to cover 345 hectares.
With the initiation of enterprise oriented resource conservation activities in Dolakha in 1998, feasibility team from ANSAB identified Boch FUG as potential beneficiary of these activities. The community was selected on the basis of abundant resource availability, community interests on resource management and enterprises, potentiality for income to women and low-income groups, and easily and locally available technology for simple value addition for some of the most promising NTFPs. The team even identified these communities to be already involved in some form of income generating activities on their own. Several discussions and interactions with community people revealed that they had an interest to scale up their enterprises to include new and promising products such as Argeli white-skin.
Establishment of Argeli Processing Enterprise
In 2000, the community showed interest to include additional products of commercial value as their interest in scaling up their enterprise. They even added a provision to establish Argeli white-skin enterprise in their forest operational plan. Despite their strong interest and availability of adequate resources, they have
not been able to establish the proposed enterprise because of lack of sufficient capital as well as fixed investment for installing white skin processing units. However, financial and technical support from ANSAB enabled these FUG to install processing units and initiate enterprise activities. A total of 40% of the needed capital contributed by ANSAB while 60% was invested by the FUG itself from their common funds. In 2000, the enterprise prepared 450 kg of white-skin , which had been sold to Kanpou Nepal. It increased to 670 kg in the year 2001. Apart from this, it plans to start Lokta paper enterprise in collaboration with two adjacent community forest user groups.
Resource Management Activities
The FUG prepared a community forest operational plan so as to cover whole of 345 hectares with assistance of DFO and Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project. As soon as the new operational plan was approved, FUG started showing initiation in protection and utilization of forest resources (i.e. fuel-wood, fodder, and timber) for this added area as well. Argeli was assessed with the help of ANSAB and DFO in March 2000. As an output to participatory resource mapping with the local villagers, the FUG members could succeed in tracing Argeli available area in the map of community forest as well as locating dense, medium and sparse habitation of Argeli. The available area was calculated using dot grid method. With the participatory inventory and data analysis, it was concluded that 45-kg of Argeli having 7 to 11 cm diameters was available in the Bhitteri Pakha community forest per year.
Similarly in August 2000, after surveying some area, all forest products were inventoried using the stratified systematic sampling with 1% sampling intensity. A participatory mapping was done in scaled-map and the area was divided according to the forest stand type, natural boundary and public access in 10 blocks as well as 26 forest stand types according to forest species, density, and age. The inventory covered all major tree and shrub species. Among them, major commercial products i.e. Lokta, Allo, Dhasingare, Musli, and Chiraito were observed. The plot was distributed with area proportionate method. The tree species was observed in 20x25 meter square for premature and matured tree. Other pole, sapling and shrub were observed in 10x10 meter square. The regeneration and herb were measured in 2x2 meter square. The participatory resource inventory revealed that about 750 kg of green Argeli could be annually harvested in sustainable manner.
Economic and Conservation Impacts
With the establishment of an enterprise, Argeli was found insufficient for enterprise purposes. The community has started managing Argeli in the natural condition. They even prepared a special provision for its management plan in OP. According to that Argeli should only be harvested after it reaches in 7 cm in girth, attaining the height of 1.5 m.
Apart from managing the forest area, community started planting the seedling of Argeli in private and community forest area. They could succeed in planting 35000 (20,000 in CF area and 15000 in private land) seedlings in 2000.
Except the conservation impacts, the enterprise provided community with economic beneits by proving employment opportunities as well. Besides,it plans to have integration conservation and income generation activities for future.
PLANT PROFILE
- Bhishma P. Subedi
Species of Morchella in Nepal
M. angusticeps Peck.
M. conica Pers.
M. deliciosa Fr.
M. elata Fr.
M. esculenta (L.) Pers.
M. smithiona Cooke
M. vulgaris (Pers.) Boud.
M. umbrina Boud.
MOREL MUSHROOMS
Morchella spp.
Morel mushrooms, locally known as Gutchichyau, Morelchyau, Khoya-chyau, Gutchi, Pote Chyau, Bhundi-chyau, are one of the high-value NTFPs of Nepal and mostly found in Western Nepal Himalaya. Eight species of Morchella are collected in Nepal (Adhikari 2000), of which M. conica and M. esculenta are common in trade.
It is a non-chlorophyllous fungus. The fruiting structure 'ascocarp' comes from the mycelium that is differentiated into a conical 'pileus' (cap) and a cylindrical 'stipe' (stem, commonly known as tail). Its short, thick, hollow stem is topped with sponge-like pointed cap, resembling honeycombs. The stipe is 2-3" in height and ½ to 1" in width. The stipe is composed of compact interwoven hyphae. The pileus has small depressions or ridges that are asci, and contain ascospores. The fruiting body is creamy colored, which is always fleshy and leathery. The mushroom may be tan, yellow or black in color and produce a rich, nut-like flavor and woody fragrance.
Distribution and Habitat
Gutchichyau is distributed in an elevation range from 2000m to 3500m, temperate to sub-alpine in wet and shady coniferous forests, especially on north facing slopes in Nepal. It is more abundant in the west of Budhigandaki river through the district of Darchula. Jumla and adjoining areas are known for its commercial supply for decades. Gutchichyau is an annual saprophytic fungus that grows on dead and decaying woods in coniferous forests. The fruiting bodies are usually seen in clusters on organic substrata. The fungus grows vigorously near and beneath the fallen trees of the previous year, where good humus has been formed. It is found nicely grown in fire burn and dense coniferous forest. It starts to grow in the beginning of summer from March to May (Falgun - Jestha), rarely found growing until August. The availability and abundance of the species in its natural habitat depends upon the rainfall/snowfall in the month of March and April. If there is not sufficient rainfall, the production of Gutchichyau decreases.
The main plant associates of Gutchichyau are Bhojpatra (Betula utilis), Bugre Salla (Tsuga dumosa), Buke Phool (Anaphalis sp.), Chimal (Rhododendron companulatum), Dhupi (Cupressus torulosa), Gobresalla (Pinus wallichiana), Jhule Sallo (Picea smithiana), Kharsu (Quercus semicarpifolia), Khotesalla (Pinus roxburghii), Lahare pipal (Populus ciliata), Laligurans (Rhododendron arboreum), Nigalo (Arundinaria falcata), and Thingre Sallo (Abies spectabilis).
Harvesting and Management
People have been engaged in collecting the mushrooms for many years for both subsistence and commercial purposes. The collection period starts in late March (Baishak) and lasts for three months. The morels are hand picked together with tails, carefully handled and dried so that the nice shape and quality of morels retains.
Sustainability Issues. It is found that the present trend and practice of Gutchichyau collection does not have any
harmful impact on the availability and abundance of the species in its natural habitat as long as the quality of forest habitat is maintained and fire and over-grazing controlled. It regenerates naturally from the spores. Harvestable cap or the fruiting body of the fungus disperses away its spores for regeneration before it is being collected. The fruiting body develops and matures within a short period of time, approximately within few hours to few days.
Morels are collected from government-managed national forests, protected areas (national parks, conservation areas, wildlife sanctuaries) and community forests. There is still a large area of its habitat is outside the community forestry, and it is not included in the operational plan for its management and use. As a result, morels are practically under open access property although the DOF issues collection permit, charges royalty and controls transportation.
Handing over of additional forest areas to FUG and helping them to include the morels in their operational plans would provide them incentives to effectively manage the forest for maintaining Gutchichyau habitat that is conducive for its production.
Preferable habitat is dense forest, and deforestation may cause decrease in production. Forest fire during spring can have negative impact on the regeneration, as it can dry the soil surface. Thus control on fire during spring is advisable. There is no information available regarding its management, cultivation and agro-technology development to date. Research on in situ management and domestication of this species is felt necessary. Studies of most productive habitats and experimentation with manipulative factors would identify the forest management operations to enhance the productivity and sustainability of morels.
Utilization
The stipe (tail) and pileus (cap) of the fungus are the parts used for edible purpose. Gutchichyau is a luxurious food. Because of their high price and demand morels are mainly collected for commerce and rarely for local consumption. This product is consumed for the preparation of delicious food 'from the Himalayas' in expensive international star hotels and restaurants mostly in Europe, USA and Japan.
Marketing
There is a good demand of dried morels in Europe. In Europe, France and Switzerland are the main users. Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands also use
limited amount. North American countries import limited amount, as they have their own production as well. Regarding the supply from Nepal, based on the traders' information, about 6,000 Kg of annual production of dried morels has been estimated from Jumla, Humla, Mugu and Dolpa, the main supply areas of Nepal.
The morels handling for trade involves the following main functions: collection, cleaning/drying, transport, storage, processing, grading, packaging, wholesale, and export. Current marketing channels of morels follow a pattern. The fresh morels are collected from forest and brought to village. After cleaning and drying, the product is transported to district headquarters by collectors or through village traders. The airport traders, who also manages to get collection and transit permit and pay royalty, airlift the dried morels to Nepalgunj to sell to traders in Nepalgunj or carry to Kathmandu. The morels from Nepalgunj mainly goes to India and rest to Kathmandu for further export to European markets.
The price trends of morels in the past few years showed a high degree of yearly as well as seasonal fluctuations. The fluctuation is higher at trading centres than at the village level. For example, in 2000, while village prices stayed in the range of NRs 4000-6000/kg, prices in Nepalgunj went from NRs 4000/kg in March to NRs 8,500/kg in September. In Delhi during the same period prices went from NRs 5000/kg to 10,000/kg. The prices in earlier years were NRs 2500-3000/kg in villages, NRs. 3000-3500/kg in Nepalgunj and NRs 4,500-5,000/kg in Delhi. The prices are getting down again this year.
Quality is an important issue for the high-value products like morels. Improvement in handling to retain the shape, drying, cleaning, sorting, grading and packaging can add value to the product. It is important to dry them immediately after harvest. Morels are usually sun-dried, but in the absence of sunlight, they are heated over an open fire for 5 to 7 minutes, beaded on a string and hung at dry place at a bulk under the roof in the kitchen. Although some restaurants in France prefer morel with a light taste of smoke as it gives a taste of wilderness to the food, non-smoked morels generally fetch high price in Europe. Morels cannot be stored for a long period without deterioration and should be used within a year.
Socio-Economic and Policy Issues
Natural habitats of morels are not far away from the community settlement, and in many cases morels are the major source of cash income especially for the poorest households in the village and may represent
earnings of between NRs 2000 to 3000 of these households (up to 50% of their total annual cash earnings). All members of the households, young and old, women and men collect them; but women and children often do it as a supplementary activity to gathering fodder, fuel wood, and animal bedding. In a given village which has access to this resource, almost all households collects morels during the season. Some may only collect 250 gm while other may collect 0.5 to 1 kg. Sometimes collectors get cash advance from wholesalers or village traders. The money generated from the sale of morels is used to buy clothes, food, and for other household expenses.
There are no negative impacts on the resource as long as the villagers maintain the quality of the forest, prevent fires and overgrazing. However there are some policy related challenges and opportunities that address the issues of conservation and poverty. Handing over of forest to new or existing FUG and inclusion of morels in operational plan would be the first step for people's participation. Technical assistance is needed to FUGs to effectively manage the habitats for increased productivity as well as support in value-added processing and marketing. There is a scope to improve quality of morels by improving the post harvest handling. Some examples that the villagers can easily with some training include cleaning, drying, simple processing such as removing sandbags or tails, sorting by size and grading, and packaging. Although not guaranteed for sure, the organic and fair-trade certification may attract to get some price premium.
WORKSHOP, MEETINGS,
SEMINAR, TRAINING
CAMP Workshop Pokhara
A three-day Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) workshop was held in Pokhara during Jan 18-20, 2001 in order to carry out a threat assessment of 51 medicinal plants species of Nepal and to prepare a priority list. Organized jointly by International Development Research Center (IDRC), HMG Ministry of Forests, Soil Conservation (MFSC) and the Medicinal Plants Specialist Group of IUCN-The World Conservation Union, the workshop made assessment and recommendations assigning taxa to new IUCN Red List Category of Threat. The new IUCN Red List categories include Extinct (EX); Extinct in the Wild (EW); Critically Endangered (CR); Endangered (EN); Vulnerable (VU); Near Threatened (NR); Data Deficient (DD); and Not Evaluated (NE). The workshop also made recommendations for research and management activities to contribute to the taxon's conservation.
Non Timber Forest Product workshop
Ban Udyam/New ERA under the Environment and Forest Enterprise Activity (EFEA) organized a national
workshop on Non-Timber Forest Products: Jadibuti on Feb 22, 2001 in Kathmandu. A total of 73 participants participated in three groups i.e. Production, Value addition/processing and Marketing. The three papers on Policy and Regulatory Environment in Relation to Jadibuti production in Nepal, Value Addition of Non Timber Forest Products Jadibuti in Nepal and Jadibuti Marketing and Policy Issues in Nepal were presented in the workshop.
First Meeting of Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha (HJSS)
Since its inception in August 2000, the members of Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samuha (HJSS) were brought together for the first time on August 16, 2001 to discuss on different aspects of its organization. NTFP issues as have emerged in various contexts of western hills of Nepal. Besides, ANSAB Coordinator, the HJSS members from across District Development Committee (6), FECOFUN (5), and Members of Parliament (2) from Bajhang and five districts of Karnali zone participated the meeting. Coordinated and supported by ANSAB, this HJSS meeting was facilitated by Hari Dhungana.
Being the first meeting, HJSS organizational framework, structure, roles and organizational nature were discussed. Three tiers were agreed on within the organization: general members, executive committee, and steering committee. Besides, district branches could also be established as per district needs. It was also agreed that other Hill districts of Nepal might later be added in the member list, as they would have willingness and commitment to join HJSS in future.
This meeting deliberated on a variety of burning issues of NTFP sub-sector, and made certain resolutions.The meeting handed over a recommendation thereof to the Director General of Department of Forest on issues of royalty of yartsha gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) and lifting the ban of kutki (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora).
Annual Review and Planning Workshop
A two day (Aug 17-18, 2001) Review and Planning Workshop was conducted by ANSAB with respect to its Enterprise Based Biodiversity Conservation Project at Piparia, Banke. Over 35 participants from Department of Forests (DoF) and District Forest Offices, District Development Committees, Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), local partner NGOs and ANSAB were gathered to review the activities and outcomes of the project in its second year.
The workshop also provided a medium for a direct
interface of DoF officials represented by the Director General Mr. Divya Dev Bhatta and local stakeholders, It was realized that DDC, FECOFUN, and local NGO should openly discuss on policy and regulatory changes needed in NTFP sub-sector. There was increased realization that local stakeholders, primarily the DDCs, should consolidate their efforts for the development of NTFP resources. Other project stakeholders, including district forest offices, FECOFUN, DDCs also identified some of the actions necessary towards enterprise based biodiversity conservation. The project stakeholders recognized mutually complementary roles and agreed on to act in a collaborative environment.
Biodiversity Monitoring Training
ANSAB organized a biodiversity monitoring training in August 19 - 21, 2002 for its staff members as well as to the staff from partner NGOs. Over the past few years, ANSAB has worked in developing methodology in which monitoring systems of key biodiversity stakeholders are integrated and up-scaled. It focuses on planning and implementing actions that conserve biodiversity and ensure reasonable returns out of the resource conservation efforts.
The training was instrumental to enhance understanding of the participants in the processes of monitoring activities in a multi-stakeholder environment, and to adapt management actions based on results of monitoring.
NTFP Management and Marketing
Training in Taplejung
A five-day training on NTFP Management and Marketing was organized by ANSAB during September 7-11, 2001 in Taplejung. This training was organized with a view to enhance general understanding of different stakeholders and SNV partners in Mechi hills on matters such as familiarizing with NTFP, NTFP use, management and marketing, and rules and regulations associated to NTFP sub-sector. Participated by 22 members from diverse entities including District Development Committee (DDC), Village Development Committee (VDC), FUGs and SNV, the training was instrumental also to sharing of experiences on different issues and prospects associated to use and management of NTFPs in Taplejung district as well as elsewhere.
International Conference on Advancing Community Forestry: Experiences and Innovations
Regional Community Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC) in collaboration with a host of other organizations organized an International Conference on Advancing Community Forestry during September 25-28, 2001 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Divided into eight
parallel sessions conference was participated by professionals and workers from 29 countries across Asia, Africa, North America and Europe.
One of the sessions in the conference, Income Generation and Livelihoods, was concerned with processes and mechanisms in generating incomes and securing livelihoods through promotion of community based forest enterprises (CBFEs). Facilitated by NNN members Mr. Bhishma P. Subedi and Mr. Kenneth Nicholson, some forty participants of the session reviewed income generation initiatives and developed a framework for further action for the Asia Pacific region.
National Workshop in Applied Ethnobotany
A National Workshop on Community-Based Approaches to Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Nepal was held during October 19-20, 2001 at Institute of Forestry (IOF), Pokhara. Organized by Department of Plant Resources (DPR), IOF, WWF Nepal Program in collaboration with Ethnobotany Society of Nepal and ANSAB, the workshop had a main objective to learn about and review community-based approaches to conservation and management of medicinal and aromatic plants in Nepal. In addition, it was to learn about useful concepts and methods in that field, as well as to identify difficulties, gaps and opportunities for future work. This workshop was an excellent opportunity for organizations and individuals working in the field of Ethnobotany and MAPs to develop partnership and networking. The workshop made the following recommendations : Integrate health care and MAP conservation and aspects of modern medical system (such as immunization) in the local system through training of local healers; Empower local users full rights to handle their MAP resources including the right to deny access to outsiders; Respect intellectual property rights (IPR) at all levels of research and development;Develop, strengthen existing market and price information system and Carry out inventory, monitoring and market survey of most traded species; Formulate a separate and pragmatic policy on MAPs of Nepal through a bottom up planning with greater participation of local resource users; Coordinate efforts in the MAPs sector through formation of a high level autonomous board called Nepal Jadibuti Development Board including relevant government organizations, NGOs, institutes and other stakeholders.
Workshop on Write-up of Nepali Field Manual for Enterprise Development
NNN long realized the need to develop a field manual in Nepali medium so as to address the needs of field level facilitators to enable them provide training on market analysis and enterprise development to communities so as to foster community based forest enterprises. It was recognized that earlier publications though good treatise in their subject matter, it still needed to be complemented with components that provide sufficient insights to aspects such as analysis of market as a prerequisite to enterprise development. In addition, publications are either in English that is mostly the case or are too academic to suit to training packages.
The meeting of NNN Advisory Group (NNN-AG), now replaced as NNN sharing meeting, formed a task force to initiate developing Nepali manual on enterprise development with particular emphasis on Marketing Analysis and Development (MA & D). A total of three task force meetings were held in this regard. Based on recommendations of NNN Task Force, ANSAB organized a workshop on Write-up of Nepali Training Manual for Enterprise Development during November 20-21, 2001 in Kathmandu.
Participated by 15 participants from diverse organizations, this gave specific details for the development of training manual. Natural Resource Management, Marketing, Social and Institutional and Technology were the four themes identified by the participants.
NTFPs Market Information System Sharing Workshop
An annual workshop on MIS was organized on December 18, 2001 to review the progress made in 2001 . The workshop was successful in soliciting feed back/ suggestions from the participants on how to go ahead in future to make this system more useful, efficient, user-friendly and interactive. A total of 26 participants from various organizations representing GOs, NGOs, INGOs, Bilateral agencies, Journalists, NTFP traders and Manufacturers attended the workshop. Participants were found to have deep interest on NTFP marketing, technology, policies, resources and production management related issues.
NTFP NEWS AND EVENTS
Manual on "Enterprise Development for Natural Products"
ANSAB published a manual on Enterprise Development for Natural Products in 2000. It basically helps readers promote a strategy for natural product enterprise design that contributes toconserve biodiversity and social equity.
The manual provides a framework of enterprise development planning in natural products in general and non-timber forest products (NTFP) in particular. It also gives practical tools for addressing the issues of marketing, resource assessment, business fundamentals and policy environment.
Enterprise Development for Natural Products
( in Nepali and English )
Price: Rs. 600 or US$ 10 (discount to Nepali students and community-based organizations)
The "Central Level Market Information System (MIS) for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Nepal", was started in January 2001 as one-year pilot activity. The initiative was mainly funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Nepal, and implemented by Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) with some contribution from the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) Nepal.
The project aims at improving market information access in Nepal so that local collectors and traders get fair and equitable
benefits from the trade of these products; balancing supply and demand by creating favorable links between producers and markets; and documenting price fluctuations.
The project collects, analyzes and provides up-to-date, high quality price information of Nepals NTFPs which is provided to the collectors, village traders, and community Forest User Groups (FUGs) throughout the country, through direct communication, relevant development projects, and mass media such as radio and newspapers on monthly basis.
Services : The MIS has been providing services to the clients on following matters:
Clients:
The main users or clients of central level MIS are : Individual collectors, FUGs, Processors, Village traders, Other local traders, FECOFUN, CBOS/NGOs, International organizations, National traders, Manufacturers, International traders.
The organization and individuals from NGOs, INGOs, GOs, trade association could also use the information and help direct participants in NTFP business. This MIS targets to optimize the profit margins of collectors, FUG, local traders, and processors with the assistant of secondary users of market information.
Major Accomplishment: An annual workshop of MIS was organized on December 18, 2001 to review the progress made over the period of last one-year and solicit feed back/suggestions from the participants on how to go ahead in future to make this system more useful, efficient, user-friendly and interactive. Thirty-two participants from various organizations representing
GOs, NGOs, INGOs, bilateral agencies, journalists, NTFP traders and manufacturers attended the workshop. During the workshop, the participants had shown deep interest not only on NTFP marketing but on technology, resource management, equity and policy related issues. Representative from UKALI newsletter stated that MIS price and product related information published in their newsletter was one of the most popular items while doing readers survey. Representative from FECOFUN revealed that almost 40-50 persons ask about MIS related information after broadcasting NTFP price on Radio Nepal every month. Almost 90 % of the participants stated that MIS is very useful and has to be continued. Some of them suggested the points for further improvement expanding the area of coverage, clients, products, type of information, etc.
Major accomplishment of MIS in year one includes:
· Establishment of NTFP market information process · Linkage to major NTFP traders of Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, Lucknow, Kolkata and Delhi for regular information on market and price of NTFPs · Improvemetn in Local peoples bargaining capacity while accessing NTFP market information · Increase interest on NTFP business
Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for Sustainable Livelihoods in Nepal
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Program in Asia (MAPPA) in collaboration with Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN), Canadian Education Center for International Cooperation (CECI) and ANSAB has initiated a pilot project Conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for sustainable livelihoods in Nepal. With the hypothesis that community participation in conservation will increase as tangible economic benefits derived from these resources rise, the project has specific activities in the Far-Western districts of Darchula and Baitadi. The five components of the project include conservation and sustainable use of MAPs; MAP-based enterprise development and equitable commercialization; strengthening of forest user groups (FUGs); information access and dissemination; and Policy and legal reforms for improving local access to resources.
Western Upland Development Program:
An IFAD Project
The Western Upland Development Program formulated by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is to begin operating in four districts (Humla,
Jumla, Bajura and Bajhang) during the first phase. The proposed program area will eventually cover ten of the sixteen uplands (hills/mountains) districts in the Far and Mid Western Development Regions.
The leasehold land and NTFP production component of the proposed program is to support the transfer of lands on a lease basis to poor households, especially women-headed and land less households, to undertake leasehold forestry; increase production of fodder crops, with emphasis on the production of forage seeds as an income generating activity; and undertake NTFP production. The project aims to make 22,500 ha of marginal lands available to 1000 leasehold forestry user groups (LFUGs) over the period of 10 years. The amount of land per household in the high mountains would be approximately 2.0 ha and about 1.0 ha in the mid-hills . These lands would be available on lease for 40 years.
As part of the pre-implementation research, a pilot participatory action research activity has been identified to be implemented in the first phase districts (Humla, Jumla, Bajhang and Bajura). The pilot participatory action research activity would entail setting up experimental sites/demonstration plots and reporting of new and existing species.
CAMP Workshop Pokhara
A three-day Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) workshop was held in Pokhara during Jan 18-20, 2001 in order to carry out a threat assessment of 51 medicinal plants species of Nepal and to prepare a priority list. Organized jointly by International Development Research Center (IDRC), HMG Ministry of Forests, Soil Conservation (MFSC) and the Medicinal Plants Specialist Group of IUCN-The World Conservation Union, the workshop made assessment and recommendations assigning taxa to new IUCN Red List Category of Threat. The new IUCN Red List categories include Extinct (EX); Extinct in the Wild (EW); Critically Endangered (CR); Endangered (EN); Vulnerable (VU); Near Threatened (NR); Data Deficient (DD); and Not Evaluated (NE). The workshop also made recommendations for research and management activities to contribute to the taxon's conservation.
Non Timber Forest Product workshop
Ban Udyam/New ERA under the Environment and Forest Enterprise Activity (EFEA) organized a national
NEW PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT ANSAB LIBRARY
References
Bhattarai, Dhurba Raj, Jadibuti Manjari, Published by Man, 2001
Campbell, B. M. and Luckert, M. K. (Ed.)(2002). Uncovering the Hidden Harvest: Valuation methods for Woodland and Resources: Ch 3, P: 66 - 102, EARTHSCAN, London, U.K.
Kanta, S.S., Entrepreneurial Development, 2000, S. Chand and Compani, New Delhi
Lecup, I. and K. Nicholson (2000). Community-based tree and forest product enterprises: Market analysis and Development Manual, SNV Nepal, FAO, FTPP, RECOFTC and ANSAB.
Poudel, Khadanada, Jadibuti Bigyan, Published by Ms. Meena Poudel, 2002
Small and Mediaum Enterprise Development in Nepal, 2001,ed. Dr. Bishwa kehsar Maske, Centre for Development and Governance, kathmandu, 2002
Subedi, B. P. (2001). Marketing of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Products of Nepal in Domestic and International Markets, ANSAB, Kathmandu.
Subedi, B. P., Koontz, A., Binayee, S., Divis, J., Ojha, H. R., and Croucher, J. (2000). Enterprise Development for Natural Products Manual, Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), and EnterpriseWorks Worldwide, Kathmandu.
Subedi, B. P., Ojha, H. R., Nicholson, K. and Binayee, S. (2001). Review of Community Based Forestry Enterprises in Nepal: Causes, Consequences and Lessons, ANSAB, Kathmandu.
Wong, Jennifer L.G., Non-wood forest products Resource assessment of non-wood forest products, 2001, FAD
Books
· Maskey, B. K. (Ed 2001) Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Nepal
· Publications and Information Directorate (CSIR - New Delhi) The Wealth of India
vol. lV, Vl, VIII, IX & X.
· Orient Longman Ltd. (Madras) Indian Medicinal Plants Vol. 1 to 5.
