Resource Assessment of Potential NTFPs in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone
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Transcript of Resource Assessment of Potential NTFPs in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 1
Resource Assessment of Potential Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for Commercialization in Langtang
National Park and Buffer Zone (LNPBZ)
A Report
Submitted to
WWF Nepal‐Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project (LNPBZSP)
Submitted by Khilendra Gurung June, 2007
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 2
Acknowledgement I am deeply indebted to WWF Nepal Program‐Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project (LNPBZSP) for the financial and technical support to conduct this study. I would like to express special thanks to a number of individuals for their support and kind cooperation during the study period. Firstly, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Ashok Baniya, Project Manager and Mr. Hira B. Gurung; Administration and Finance Officer; Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project for their encouragement, support, cooperation and suggestions during the entire study period. I am grateful to Ms. Rudriksha R. Parajuli; Senior Program Officer and Ms. Santoshi Thapa; Program Officer‐ Mountain, WWF Nepal for their kind cooperation, support and coordination during the study period. My special thanks go to Mr. Gopal Ghimire; Ranger, Mr. Ramesh Basnet; Senior game scout, Langtang National Park (LNP), Dhunche and Mr. Bhagirath Ghimire; Nepal Agro‐forestry Foundation (NAF) for their guidance during the field work and sharing their valuable ideas and experiences. My heartfelt thanks go to Mr. Karmajit Tamang and Mr. Bhim B. Tamang: Indreni Buffer Zone User Committee, Ghyangphedi VDC; Mr. Dawa Lopsang Lama; Shyaphru VDC Buffer Zone User Committee, Shyaphru VDC; Mr. Tashi Tamang, Mr. Mingmar Gyalbu and Mr. Ngawang Tamang, Bridim VDC Buffer Zone User Committee, Bridim VDC; Mr. Nima Tamang, Langtang VDC, Mr. Bhim B. Tamang; Ramche VDC Buffer Zone User Committee, Ramche VDC and Mr. Pasang Lama, Mr. Sonam Sherpa and Mr. Kami Lama; Aama Yangri Buffer Zone User Committee, Helambu VDC for their assistance and support in the field trip in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone. At last but not least, I would like to thank local communities of Ghyangphedi, Kigaun, Lampate, Hopgel, Sisipu and Ghyangdanda villages of Ghyangphedi VDC; Bridim and Benzam villages of Bridim VDC; Grang, Ramche and Goreshe villages of Ramche VDC and hotel and restaurant owners of the trekking route of Shyaphru, Bridim, Langtang and Helambu VDCs for their warm hospitality, assistance in accommodation and for providing information of the locality. Khilendra Gurung June, 2007
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 3
Table of content CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Objectives 2 1.3 Limitations of the study 2 1.4 Study area 2 1.5 Previous scientific research conducted in Langtang National Park 3 CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Methodology 5 2.1.1 Primary data collection 5 2.1.1.1 Key informant survey and resource mapping 5 2.1.1.2 Identification of NTFPs 5 2.1.1.3 Inventory of NTFPs 5 2.1.1.3a Habitat identification 5 2.1.1.3b Sampling 5 2.2.1 Secondary data collection 6 2.3.1 Data processing and analysis 6 2.3.1.1 Frequency and relative frequency 6 2.3.1.2 Density and relative density 6 2.3.1.3 Population distribution parameters 7 2.3.1.4 Determination of forest types 7 2.3.1.5 Prioritization of NTFPs 7 2.3.1.6 Rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) 8 2.3.1.7 Focus group discussion 8 CHAPTER THREE 3.1 Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 9 3.1.1 Assessment of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 9 3.1.1b Assessment of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 9 3.1.1c Assessment of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 10 3.1.1d Assessment of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 10 3.1.1e Assessment of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 11 3.1.1f Assessment of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 12 3.2 Population distribution parameters of NTFPs 12 3.2.1 Ghyangphedi VDC 12 3.2.2 Shyaphru VDC 13 3.2.3 Bridim VDC 13 3.2.4 Langtang VDC 14 3.2.5 Ramche VDC 14 3.2.6 Helambu VDC 15 3.3 Forest and vegetation types in LNPBZ 15 3.4.1 Prioritization of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 18
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 4
3.4.2 Prioritization of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 19 3.4.3 Prioritization of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 20 3.4.4 Prioritization of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 21 3.4.5 Prioritization of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 21 3.4.6 Prioritization of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 22 3.5 Threat analysis 23 3.5.1 RVA of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 23 3.5.2 RVA of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 24 3.5.3 RVA of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 25
3.5.4 RVA of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 25
3.5.5 RVA of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 26 3.5.6 RVA of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 27
CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 Trade and trading pattern of NTFPs in LNPBZ 28 4.1.1 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 28 4.1.2 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 29 4.1.3 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 29 4.1.4 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 30 4.1.5 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 30 4.1.6 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 31 CHAPTER FIVE 5.1 Potentiality for enterprise development in LNPBZ 32 5.1.1 Potentiality for enterprise development in Ghyangphedi VDC 32 5.1.2 Potentiality for enterprise development in Shyaphru VDC 33 5.1.3 Potentiality for enterprise development in Bridim VDC 33 5.1.4 Potentiality for enterprise development in Langtang VDC 33 5.1.5 Potentiality for enterprise development in Ramche VDC 34 5.1.6 Potentiality for enterprise development in Helambu VDC 34 5.2 Potential markets of the value added NTFP products 34 5.3 Value addition techniques of NTFPs 35 5.4 Processing technology 36 CHAPTER SIX 6.1 Biological sustainable harvesting 37 6.2 Harvesting impact on population dynamics 37 6.3 Establishing sampling areas 38 6.4 Developing a raw material sourcing plan 39 CHAPTER SEVEN 7.1 Conclusion 41 7.2 Recommendations 41 References 43 Annexes
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 5
Lists of tables Table 1: Class distribution of NTFPs in different sites 7 Table 2: Matrix preference ranking 8 Table 3: Criteria for RVA 8 Table 4: Assessment of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 9 Table 5: Assessment of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 9 Table 6: Assessment of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 10 Table 7: Assessment of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 11 Table 8: Assessment of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 11 Table 9: Assessment of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 12 Table 10: Class distribution of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 12 Table 11: Class distribution of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 13 Table 12: Class distribution of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 13 Table 13: Class distribution of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 14 Table 14: Class distribution of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 14 Table 15: Class distribution of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 15 Table 16: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 18 Table 17: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 19 Table 18: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 20 Table 19: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 21 Table 20: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 22 Table 21: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 22 Table 22: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 23 Table 23: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 24 Table 24: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 25 Table 25: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 26 Table 26: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 26 Table 27: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 27 Table 28: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC 28 Table 29: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC 29 Table 30: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Bridim VDC 29 Table 31: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Langtang VDC 30 Table 32: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ramche VDC 30 Table 33: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Helambu VDC 31 Table 34: Potentiality for enterprise development in Ghyangphedi VDC 32 Table 35: Potentiality for enterprise development in Shyaphru VDC 33 Table 36: Potentiality for enterprise development in Bridim VDC 33 Table 37: Potentiality for enterprise development in Langtang VDC 34 Table 38: Potentiality for enterprise development in Ramche VDC 34 Table 39: Potentiality for enterprise development in Helambu VDC 34 Table 40: Potential markets for NTFPs products 35
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 6
Table 41: Value addition techniques of NTFPs 35 Table 42: Processing technology and application 36 Table 43: Rapid assessment of harvesting effects on population dynamics 38 Table 44: Recommended optimal harvesting practices for sustainable
NTFPs product use 39 Lists of boxes Box 1: Checklist to assess harvesting sustainability of forest products 37 Box 2: Check list for raw materials sourcing plan 40 Lists of maps Map 1: Map of study area 4
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 7
Abbreviations and Acronyms ANSAB: Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bio‐resources
BDS‐MaPS: Business Development Services‐Marketing Production and Services
BZCFUGs: Buffer Zone Community Forest User Groups
BZUCs: Buffer Zone User Committees
BZUGs: Buffer Zone User Groups
DPR: Department of Plant Resources
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization
HMG: His Majestyʹs Government
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
kg: Kilogram
LNP: Langtang National Park
LNPBZ: Langtang National Park and its Buffer Zone
LNPBZSP: Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project
m.: Meter
MAPs: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
MIS: Marketing Information System
MPR: Matrix Preference Ranking
NAF: Nepal Agro‐forestry Foundation NARMSAP: Natural Resource management Sector Assistance Program
NRs.: Nepali Rupees
NSCFP: Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project
NTFPs: Non Timber Forest Products
Pc: Piece pl: Plant
Rel.: Relative
RVA: Rapid Vulnerability Assessment
SNV: The Netherlands Development Organization
TISC: Tree Improvement and Silviculture Component
VDCs: Village Development Committees
WAGs: Women Awareness Groups
WWF: World Wildlife Fund
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 8
Executive Summary Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone (LNPBZ) harbors rich source of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) diversity due to its diverse geography and climatic variations. Local communities have been using NTFPs as food supplements, medicines, dyes, fiber, clothing, construction, energy and support to farm nutrients and livestock feed. However, they are not benefited from the resources due to the lack of knowledge on the resources, their market value and their potentiality for cultivation and value addition.
In this aspect, resource assessment of potential NTFPs for commercialization in LNPBZ was carried out in four VDCs of Rasuwa, lying in the core area of LNP viz. Ramche, Shyaphru, Bridim and Langtang VDCs; one VDC of Nuwakot viz. Ghyangphedi VDC and one VDC of Sindhupalchok viz. Helambu VDC; both lying at the buffer zone of LNP.
Key informant survey and ecological inventory tools were used during the assessment in the field. Data obtained from the field were analyzed to find out frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density, population distribution parameters, matrix preference ranking, rapid vulnerability assessment, potentiality for value addition and market linkage, etc.
Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ revealed that altogether 269 species were recorded from the studied VDCs. Among them 157 NTFP species were recorded from Ghyangphedi VDC, 170 species from Shyaphru VDC, 129 species from Bridim VDC, 127 species from Langtang VDC, 93 from Ramche VDC and 168 from Helambu VDC
Prioritization of NTFP species were based on 8 principal criteria viz. (i) highly demanded commercial species (ii) species having high market price (iii) having potential for domestic value addition (iv) species available over wide geographical range (v) species harvestable in short rotation period (vi) land fertility requirement for species (vii) species importance in ethnobotany and (viii) species conservation status.
Current study showed that prioritized NTFPs of LNPBZ for value addition and marketing linkage and further assessment are Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri), Ban lasun (Fritillaria cirrhosa), Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum), Bhuichuk (Hippophae tibetana), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Chutro (Berberis asiatica), Dalechuk (Hippophae salicifolia), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum), Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora), Jhyau (Parmelia sp), Lek timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Majitho (Rubia manjith), Sano malingo (Arundinaria racemosa), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum) and Titepati (Artemisia dubia and A. indica).
Rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) analysis was carried out for the prioritized NTFP species of respective VDCs of the study area within LNPBZ. RVA was conducted on the
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 9
basis of the following criteria: i) ecology, ii) life form, iii) parts used and iv) harvesting method.
The most vulnerable NTFPs of LNPBZ are Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Bhale sunpati (Rhododendron setosum), Bhramsi (Viburnum mullaha), Bhulna (Persea clarkeana), Dalechuk (Hippophae salicifolia), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum), Lek timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Lokta (Daphne bholua), Malingo (Thamnocalamus spathiflorus and Yushania microphylla), Sano malingo (Arundinaria racemosa), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Tite nigalo (Drepanostachyum intermedium).
Few villagers are engaged in the cultivation, collection and trade of NTFPs as seasonal and additional source of income in LNPBZ. Despite the provision of restriction on collection, processing and trade of forest products by National Parkʹs regulation, illegal collection and trade of forest products are still prominent in forests of core areas and also from the buffer zone community forests.
The traded NTFPs or NTFP products in LNPBZ are basketry made of Malingo and Nigalo, and cultivated crude NTFPs as Sugandhawal, Chirayito and Argeli white skin. While, Lokta bark, Lichens and Seabuckthorn fruits are collected unsustainably and traded illegally in different locations of the enterprise sites of the district and Kathmandu markets. Also, Sunpati, Dhupi, Timur, Ban lasun and Yarsha gumba are collected for local level consumption.
Enterprise development potentialities assessment in LNPBZ revealed that, there are immense potentialities of enterprise set up for the product lines as herbal incense, bio‐briquette, edible oil expelling, herbal drinks/juice making, handicrafts and basketry, organic insecticide/pesticide, cultivation of NTFPs, collective marketing centre for crude herbs and NTFPs and essential oils extraction (Artemisia oil and Wintergreen oil) in various locations of LNPBZ.
For genesis, operation and growth of forest based enterprise in LNPBZ; a biologically sustainable harvesting mechanism should be prepared for each buffer zone community forest and forests within National Park. Moreover, some factors that contribute to or hinder the genesis, operation and growth of enterprises should be taken into account. These include: awareness raising, technical assistance, financial support, marketing support, marketing outlets, community characteristics, natural resource base, technology, policy factors, enterprise consequences and natural resource conservation.
The communities’ motivation towards entrepreneurship, institutionalization of user groups and regulatory mechanisms for sustainable harvesting of NTFPs would definitely create the income generating opportunities and would assist in the conservation of biodiversity in LNPBZ.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 10
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction The diverse geography and climate of Nepal has rendered it a unique land of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) along with other natural resources. NTFPs have been welfare, subsistence or livelihood commodity for the people residing in rural mountainous areas of Nepal since long. The high mountain NTFPs are highly praised for high potency and organic nature, hence they fetch higher prices.
The importance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) has increased progressively over the last two decades. Herbal remedies are increasingly becoming mainstream consumer products manufactured by multi‐national companies amongst other, and sold in super market chains and in a variety of other outlets, globally. Food supplements, cosmetics, fragrances, traditional cuisine, dyeing and coloring agents are just a few of the application where NTFPs are finding increasing use by the day. As a result there is growing demand of Nepalese MAPs and other NTFPs for these purposes.
In spite of all advantages, the government is still not able to harness the full potential of NTFPs for the welfare of rural communities. The major constraints for such situation are considered to be low capital investments both by the government and private sectors for the overall promotion of NTFPs including commercial cultivation, enterprise development and the perpetual marketing of quality products; government’s unclear investment policy, lack of proper documentation on species availability (or bio‐prospecting) and uses and poor awareness among public on its values.
Langtang National Park and its Buffer Zone (LNPBZ) harbors rich source of NTFPs diversity. Local communities have been using NTFPs as food supplements, medicines, dyes, fiber, clothing, construction, energy and support to farm nutrients and livestock feed. However, they are not benefited from the resources due to the lack of knowledge on the resources, their market value and their potentiality for cultivation and value addition.
After the declaration of Langtang National Park in 1976 and Buffer Zone in 1998, the concept of conservation of the plant resources have been introduced and institutionalized. But the proper resource assessment for their commercialization using ecological parameters has not been carried out.
Conservation initiatives through sustainable use of NTFPs would uplift livelihood of local communities if: a) communities take on increased responsibility for management of forest resources; b) ecological monitoring and biologically sustainable harvesting practices are developed; c) communities have greater access to market linkage; d) communities sustain forest based enterprise with equal benefit sharing mechanism and e) communities adopt both indigenous and scientific knowledge for appropriate management systems.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 11
To address the current needs, one way would be the initiation for the commercial cultivation of valuable NTFPs, their processing at local level and market linkage of raw or processed products via community initiatives. It is essential that women awareness groups (WAGs), underprivileged groups and buffer zone user committees (BZUCs) and buffer zone community forest user groups (BZCFUGs) are included in such a model. The women and underprivileged groups should be transformed to skillful entrepreneur and BZCFUGs and BZUGs, a commercial entity taking the responsibility of resource conservation and management. The semi processed and processed NTFPs products produced from such enterprises should be market linked after the value addition at the local level thereby benefiting the local communities.
In this aspect, the proposed study would be justifiable in terms of linking local livelihood with resource conservation and management, initiating community based forest enterprise and its linkage to market through product promotion. It would certainly assist in conserving the biodiversity of the LNPBZ and assist in livelihood of the local communities, which is the ultimate goal set up by WWF Nepal‐Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project (LNPBZSP). 1.2 Objectives The overall objective is to explore the prospects of NTFPs in LNPBZ having potentiality for commercialization and seek possibility of market linkage. The specific objectives are as follows: 1. To conduct the resource assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 2. To prioritize NTFPs on the basis of trade value and threat 3. To identify NTFPs products that can be value added locally 4. To assess the current market status and trading pattern of NTFPs at local level 5. To recommend steps to be followed by community for sustainable harvesting of NTFPs 1.3 Limitations of the study The field work was conducted during April‐May, 2007 for 30 days only in six VDCs within LNPBZ. During the study period several high valued NTFPs like Bikh/Bikhma (Aconitum spp), Nirmasi (Delphinium himalayi), Kutki (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora), Padam chaal (Rheum australe), Yarsa gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) etc. were not regenerated and therefore not documented in the report. Regeneration studies were not carried out due to limited time frame for the field study and dry conditions in high altitude areas. Apparently the area harbors much more species than listed in the report. Field study during June ‐July will be more comprehensive in terms of species richness in high altitude areas. 1.4 Study area Altogether 6 Village Development Committees (VDCs) within Langtang National Park and its Buffer Zone viz. 4 VDCs of Rasuwa district (Ramche, Shyaphru, Bridim and Langtang), 1
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 12
VDC of Nuwakot district (Ghyangphedi) and 1 VDC of Sindhupalchok district (Helambu) were chosen for the study.
The forests of Thade, Grang, Ramche and Goreshe villages were studied in Ramche VDC. Scrublands around Gosain kunda, Lauribinayak, Phorpang danda, Sukpa kharka and forests around Cholangpati, Sing gompa, Dhimsa, Deurali, Ghatte khola, Thulo bharkhu, Sano bharkhu, Shyaphru besi, Thulo shyaphru, Dhursagong village, Pahiro, Bamboo and Brabal villages were studied in Shyaphru VDC. Similarly, forests around Wangel, Bridim, Dazaar, Khanjim, Benzam villages and scrubland around Godegong, Jharo kharka and Pansang pass were studied in Bridim VDC. Likewise, forests around Rimche, Chengdong, Gumnachong, Chhunama, Ghoda tabela villages and forests and scrublands of Thangshyap, Chyamki, Langtang, Mundu, Kyangjing villages and scrublands around Bhrakyang pass, Menchhyamsa pass and Langsisa were studied in Langtang VDC.
Whereas, forests around Negi, Bolung, Katunje, Neglini, Ghyangphedi, Kigaun, Chyamdung, Hopgel, Singache, Sisipu, Gongong, Ghyawar chaur, Chetang, Talu and Kaseri villages and scrublands around Suryakunda phedi, Suryakunda high camp and Suryakunda were studied in Ghyangphedi VDC. While, forests of Timbu, Yamba lamba, Kakani, Ghangul, Tashithang, Tarkeghyang, Chirighyang, Nakote, Melamchighyang and forests and scrublands around Thade pati, Mongen goth, Deurali danda, Aama yangri peak were studied in Helambu VDC.
The study area is inhabited by a variety of indigenous communities, which to some extent have become intermingled. The communities of Langtang, Bridim and Shyaphru VDCs are believed to be Bhotiyas, probably originating from the Kyirong area in Tibet two or three centuries ago. People living in Ramche and Ghyangphedi VDCs are predominantly Tamangs. Majority of the inhabitants of Helambu VDC who call themselves ʹSherpasʹ but there is historical evidence that they also originated from the Kyirong area and are ʹHyalmosʹ who were subsequently influenced by Tamangs. However, few Sherpas are residing in Bridim, Ghyangphedi and Helambu VDCs, along with Tamangs and Bhotiyas. 1.5 Previous scientific research conducted in Langtang National Park A botanical survey of Langtang valley was carried out by His Majestyʹs Government of Nepal in 1966 and vegetation surveys have been undertaken by Stainton (1972), Dobremez et al. (1972, 1975) and Tokyo University Museum in conjunction with the Department of Medicinal Plants (1976). The flora and fauna (mammals and birds) of the park are documented (Green, 1981; Department of Medicinal Plants, 1986; Inskipp, 1989).
Multi‐disciplinary studies were conducted in the park and adjacent areas under the Trisuli Watershed Development Project and by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris. A survey of the area was carried out in 1970‐1971 by FAO Wildlife Management Advisor and Forest Department officers.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 13
Subsequently, Fox (1974) completed a six‐month ecological survey of the park under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Project. This was followed by the Durham University Himalayan Expeditionʹs 18‐month socio‐ecological study (Borradaile et al., 1977).
The use of forest resources by villagers of Shyaphru and the effects of tourism on their livelihood was examined by Joshi (1987). In 1986, over 16,000 plant specimens were collected from the Langtang/Helambu region (Ohba and Malla, 1988).
Large mammal research includes ecological studies of Red Panda (Yonzon and Hunter, 1991a, 1991b) and Himalayan Tahr (Green, 1979), and preliminary behavioral studies of Muntjac (Oli, 1986).
While, many academic theses and researches based on vegetation ecology, natural resource and wildlife conservation and management and other livelihood or socio‐economic issues were carried out in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone, then onwards.
Map 1: Map of study area
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 14
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Methodology The current work was completed in four phase viz. primary data collection, secondary data collection, data analysis and report writing. Primary data was collected from the field while secondary data was compiled from various other related documents.
2.1.1 Primary data collection Primary data collection was done by following methods:
2.1.1.1 Key informant survey and resource mapping Information about the availability, current status and use of NTFPs were collected from BZUCs and BZUGs members. Discussions were held with key informants for identification and listing of available NTFPs, their priority ranking and for suitable site selection for the study.
2.1.1.2 Identification of NTFPs NTFPs were identified visually on the basis of researcherʹs knowledge and with the help of local key informants. Unidentified species were identified consulting with the reference literatures as HMG/Department of Medicinal Plants, 1976; Stainton and Polunin, 1984; Stainton, 1988; Yoshida, 1994; Shrestha, 1998; Lama et al. 2001; Manandhar, 2002; IUCN, 2004 and Bista and Bista, 2005. Documentation of all available NTFPs was carried out according toPress et al., 2000.
2.1.1.3 Inventory of NTFPs Inventory methods include two different steps; habitat identification and sampling.
2.1.1.3a Habitat identification The sampling was conducted in defined habitats. The identification of NTFPs habitats was done systematically by observing at each of the following characteristics. • Altitude • Forest type • Aspect • Slope • Plant abundance
2.1.1.3b Sampling Following procedures were applied for the inventory of NTFPs by sampling techniques: • At least one vertical elevation line was taken from bottom to top of the habitat. The
number of elevation line depends on the habitat width, plant density, aspect and topography.
• For every elevation line, horizontal sampling lines were set up at 100 m elevation intervals.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 15
• The sampling plots were set up along the horizontal line. • The sampling plots were determined as 1m × 1m for herbs, 5m × 5m for shrubs and 10m
× 10m for trees (Raunkiaer, 1934).
• Inventory forms were filled for every sampling plot.
2.2.1 Secondary data collection
Secondary data were collected from all the possible documents as reports, articles, maps, official records, and other published and unpublished materials from ANSAB, HMG/DPR, and WWF Nepal etc.
2.3.1 Data processing and analysis
Data obtained from the field were analyzed to find out frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density, population distribution parameters, matrix preference ranking (MPR), rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA), potentiality for value addition and market linkage, etc.
2.3.1.1 Frequency and relative frequency
Frequency is the number of sampling units in which the particular species occur, thus express the dispersion of various species in a community. It refers to the degree of dispersion in terms of percentage occurrence (Raunkiaer, 1934; Zobel et al. 1987).
100studied quadrats ofNumber Total
occured speciesin which quadrats of No.Frequency ×=
Relative frequency is frequency of a species in relation to other species.
100species all offrequency Total
species a ofFrequency %Frequency Relative ×=
2.3.1.2 Density and relative density Density expresses the numerical strength of the presence of species in a community. It is the number of individuals per unit area and is expressed as number per hectare (Raunkiaer, 1934; Zobel et al. 1987).
10000quadrat of area studiedquadrat ofnumber Total
spciesany ofplant ofnumber TotalPl/haDensity ××
=
Relative density is the density of a species with respect to the total density of all species.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 16
100species all ofdensity Totalspecies individual ofDensity %Density Relative ×=
2.3.1.3 Population distribution parameters Distribution of NTFPs parameters were categorized in following ways:
Frequency Relative Frequency
High Medium Low High Medium Low
>75 31-74 <30 >15 5‐15 <5
Population density/ha Relative density
>800 300-800 <300 >15 5‐15 <5
Table 1: Class distribution of NTFPs in different sites
Source: Pyakurel (2005)
2.3.1.4 Determination of forest types
Forest types of respective VDCs under the study areas were determined by visual observation and consulting with Stainton (1972) and HMG/TISC (2002).
2.3.1.5 Prioritization of NTFPs
Matrix preference ranking (MPR) was used to find out most preferred NTFPs. By using this tool, the most preferred NTFP species were identified from forests of each VDC for the detail study. The criteria of preference were made by the users, availability of the resources and potential for value addition.
Moreover, the prioritization criteria of other development organizations like NSCFP, SNV, ANSAB, BDS‐MaPS and matrix ranking criteria have been thoroughly examined to attain the set objectives with proper justification. SN Criteria Scale and value 1 Market demand High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 2 Margin/profit High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 3 Availability (in time ) Almost always (3), occasional (2), seasonal rare (1) 4 Geographical distribution Widespread (3), moderate (2), low (1) 5 Conservation status High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 6 Potential for cultivation High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 7 Regenerative potential High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 8 Contribution to income High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 9 Gender impact Only women (3), both men and women (2), only men
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 17
(1) 10 Potential for value addition High (3), moderate (2), low (1) 11 Processing technology Manual/local technology (3), mechanical/expertise
required (2), sophisticated/foreign technology (1) 12 Ethnobotanical value Diverse uses (3), medium use (2), single use (1)
Table 2: Matrix preference ranking
Source: Gurung and Pyakurel (2006) and Gurung (2007) 2.3.1.6 Rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) Rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) method was used to collect information to identify species, resources or sites that may be at risk of over exploitation. It was developed as a quick way of collecting both scientific and indigenous information about species and has been used to recommend whether or not that resource species is suitable for harvest.
Criteria Potential for sustainable use
Low High
Ecology
Low abundance (1) High abundance (2) Slow growth (1) Fast growth (2) Slow reproduction (1) Fast reproduction (2)
Sexual reproduction only (1) Both sexual and vegetative reproduction (2)
Habitat ‐ specific (1) Habitat ‐ non specific (2) High habitat diversity (1) Low habitat diversity (2) High life form diversity (1) Low life form diversity (2)
Life forms Tree and shrub (1); herb (2) Parts used Roots, rhizomes and bulbs (1); leaves, flowers, barks, fruits (2) Harvesting methods
Size/age classes not selected for harvesting (2); particular size/age classes selected for harvesting (1)
Table 3: Criteria for RVA
Source: Watts et al., 1996; Cunningham, 1994, 1996a, 2001; Wong and Jenifer, 2001; Gurung and Pyakurel (2006) and Gurung (2007) 2.3.1.7 Focus group discussion Discussion program was held at Dhunche with WWF‐LNPBZSP and Nepal Agro‐forestry Foundation (NAF) regarding the exchange of NTFPs based activities conducted so far and their prospects for the future collaboration and coordination. Also, the interaction was held with NTFPs cultivators, collectors and traders to discuss about NTFPs farming, trading pattern, and trade value at local level.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 18
CHAPTER THREE 3.1 Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ Frequency, relative frequency, density and relative density of each NTFP species were calculated and analyzed in respective forests of the studied VDCs.
3.1.1 Assessment of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC Altogether 157 NTFP species were recorded from Ghyangphedi VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are presented in annex 1.
Table 4: Assessment of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC SN Botanical name Common name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density1 Artemisia dubia Titepati 12 0.491 4340.000 1.1422 Artemisia indica Titepati 12 0.491 7256.000 1.9093 Arundinaria racemosa Sano malingo 12 0.491 4256.000 1.1204 Daphne bholua Lokta (Kalo) 32 1.309 14953.600 3.9355 Daphne papyracea Lokta (Seto) 20 0.818 8290.400 2.1816 Drepanostachyum intermedium Tite nigalo 20 0.818 8260.000 2.1737 Edgeworthia gardneri Argeli 20 0.818 3140.800 0.8268 Eupatorium adenophorum Banmara 36 1.473 17999.200 4.7369 Gaultheria fragrantissima Dhasingre/Pretete 28 1.146 7071.200 1.86110 Girardinia diversifolia Allo 24 0.982 6852.000 1.80311 Juniperus recurva Dhupi 20 0.818 4448.000 1.17012 Rhododendron anthopogon Sunpati 16 0.655 8964.000 2.35913 Swertia chirayita Chirayito 36 1.473 8667.200 2.28014 Thamnocalamus spathiflorus Malingo (Jarbuto) 12 0.491 5892.800 1.55015 Yushania microphylla Malingo 12 0.491 7664.800 2.017 3.1.1b Assessment of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC Altogether 170 NTFP species were recorded from Shyaphru VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are presented in annex 2.
Table 5: Assessment of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC SN Botanical name Local name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density1 Artemisia dubia Titepati 34.38 1.348 14843.750 3.0542 Daphne bholua Lokta (Kalo) 37.5 1.471 16435.000 3.3823 Daphne papyracea Lokta (Seto) 25 0.980 9703.125 1.9964 Eupatorium adenophorum Banmara 21.88 0.858 11968.750 2.4635 Girardinia diversifolia Allo 15.63 0.613 5021.875 1.0336 Hippophae salicifolia Dalechuk 15.63 0.613 843.125 0.173
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 19
7 Juniperus recurva Dhupi 34.38 1.348 5896.875 1.2138 Parmelia sp Jhyau 71.88 2.819 5791.875 1.1929 Prinsepia utilis Dhatelo/
Melong 46.88 1.838 3651.875 0.751
10 Rhododendron anthopogon Sunpati 15.63 0.613 25868.750 5.32311 Rhododendron setosum Bhale Sunpati 28.13 1.103 21696.250 4.46412 Swertia chirayita Chirayito 15.63 0.613 6646.875 1.36813 Valeriana jatamansii Sugandhawal/
Lunpai 18.75 0.735 5053.125 1.040
14 Viburnum mullaha Bhramsi 28.13 1.103 3776.250 0.77715 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Lek Timur 12.5 0.490 1828.125 0.376 3.1.1c Assessment of NTFPs in Bridim VDC Altogether 129 NTFPs were enlisted from Bridim VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are given in annex 3.
Table 6: Assessment of NTFPs in Bridim VDC SN Botanical name Local name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density1 Artemisia dubia Titepati 58.33 1.741 23893.333 3.8642 Daphne papyracea Seto Lokta 41.67 1.244 9635.000 1.5583 Elaeagnus parvifolia Rallu 50 1.493 6070.000 0.9824 Eupatorium adenophorum Banmara 41.67 1.244 20098.333 3.2505 Juniperus recurva Dhupi 16.67 0.498 1233.333 0.1996 Nardostachys grandiflora Jatamansi/Pangpai 8.333 0.249 7725.000 1.2497 Parmelia sp Jhyau 100 2.985 11030.000 1.7848 Persea clarkeana Bhulna 50 1.493 4401.667 0.7129 Prinsepia utilis Dhatelo/Melong 41.67 1.244 4698.333 0.76010 Rhododendron anthopogon Sunpati 8.333 0.249 8166.667 1.32111 Swertia chirayita Chirayito 16.67 0.498 5133.333 0.83012 Valeriana jatamansii Sugandhawal/
Lungpai 25 0.746 6116.667 0.989
13 Viburnum mullaha Bhramsi 33.33 0.995 2728.333 0.44114 Yushania microphylla Malingo 25 0.746 7435.000 1.20215 Zanthoxylum armatum Timur 25 0.746 3951.667 0.639 3.1.1d Assessment of NTFPs in Langtang VDC Altogether 127 NTFPs were enlisted from Langtang VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are given in annex 4.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 20
Table 7: Assessment of NTFPs in Langtang VDC SN Botanical name Common
name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density
1 Artemisia dubia Titepati 28.57 1.132 6390.476 1.0112 Arundinaria racemosa Sano malingo 19.05 0.755 11361.905 1.7973 Cotoneaster frigidus Ruis 33.33 1.321 3247.619 0.5144 Daphne bholua Lokta (Kalo) 19.05 0.755 9728.571 1.5395 Daphne papyracea Lokta (Seto) 9.524 0.377 2352.381 0.3726 Drepanostachyum intermedium Tite nigalo 9.524 0.377 4300.000 0.6807 Ephedra gerardiana Somlata 38.1 1.509 39138.095 6.1928 Fritillaria cirrhosa Ban Lasun 14.29 0.566 5128.571 0.8119 Girardinia diversifolia Allo 19.05 0.755 4780.952 0.75610 Hippophae salicifolia Dalechuk 61.9 2.453 7853.333 1.24211 Hippophae tibetana Bhuichuk 19.05 0.755 11271.429 1.78312 Rhododendron anthopogon Sunpati/Barlu 28.57 1.132 27042.857 4.27813 Rhododendron setosum Bhale Sunpati 42.86 1.698 73352.381 11.60514 Yushania microphylla Malingo 33.33 1.321 15271.429 2.41615 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Lek Timur 33.33 1.321 3803.810 0.602 3.1.1e Assessment of NTFPs in Ramche VDC Altogether 93 NTFPs were enlisted from Ramche VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are presented in annex 5.
Table 8: Assessment of NTFPs in Ramche VDC SN Botanical name Local name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density1 Arundinaria racemosa Sano malingo 8.333 0.279 4583.333 0.7062 Berberis asiatica Chutro 75 2.507 14143.333 2.1793 Daphne bholua Lokta (Kalo) 25 0.836 17050.000 2.6264 Daphne papyracea Lokta (Seto) 66.67 2.228 26575.000 4.0935 Edgeworthia gardneri Argeli 33.33 1.114 8025.000 1.236
6 Gaultheria fragrantissima Dhasingre/ Chenjoa 33.33 1.114 23121.667 3.562
7 Lycopodium clavatum Nagbeli 58.33 1.950 18575.000 2.8618 Paris polyphylla Satuwa 33.33 1.114 1263.333 0.1959 Parmelia sp Jhyau 66.67 2.228 5616.667 0.86510 Potentilla fructicosa Bajradanti 100 3.342 52760.000 8.12711 Rhododendron arboreum Lali Gurans 58.33 1.950 2483.333 0.38312 Rhododendron lepidotum Nakkali Sunpati 33.33 1.114 8108.333 1.24913 Swertia chirayita Chirayito 50 1.671 13533.333 2.08514 Wikstroemia canescens Kagaj Pate 50 1.671 11350.000 1.74815 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Lek Timur 16.67 0.557 141.667 0.022
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 21
3.1.1f Assessment of NTFPs in Helambu VDC Altogether 168 NTFPs were recorded from Helambu VDC. Among them 15 NTFP species were sorted on the basis of their potentiality for value addition, their abundance and quantification. The details are presented in annex 6. Table 9: Assessment of NTFPs in Helambu VDC SN Botanical name Local name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density1 Artemisia dubia Tite Pati 18.182 0.562 11327.273 1.9092 Arundinaria racemosa Sano malingo 13.636 0.421 8646.364 1.4573 Daphne bholua Lokta (Kalo) 31.818 0.983 29690.909 5.0034 Daphne papyracea Lokta (Seto) 36.364 1.124 11672.727 1.9675 Drepanostachyum intermedium Tite Nigalo 22.727 0.702 2310.000 0.3896 Edgeworthia gardneri Argeli 4.5455 0.140 601.818 0.1017 Eupatorium adenophorum Banmara 22.727 0.702 12681.818 2.1378 Gaultheria fragrantissima Dhasingre/Chenjoa 50 1.545 18766.364 3.1629 Girardinia diversifolia Allo 22.727 0.702 8931.818 1.50510 Juniperus recurva Dhupi 9.0909 0.281 1286.364 0.21711 Parmelia sp Jhyau 86.364 2.669 7651.818 1.28912 Rubia manjith Majitho 36.364 1.124 15207.273 2.56213 Swertia chirayita Chirayito 18.182 0.562 1991.818 0.33614 Wikstroemia canescens Kagaj Pate 4.5455 0.140 818.182 0.13815 Yushania microphylla Malingo 9.0909 0.281 763.636 0.129 3.2 Population distribution parameters of NTFPs 3.2.1 Ghyangphedi VDC Table 10: Class distribution of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Artemisia dubia Low Low High Low 2 Artemisia indica Low Low High Low 3 Arundinaria racemosa Low Low High Low 4 Daphne bholua Medium Low High Low 5 Daphne papyracea Low Low High Low 6 Drepanostachyum intermedium Low Low High Low 7 Edgeworthia gardneri Low Low High Low 8 Eupatorium adenophorum Medium Low High Low 9 Gaultheria fragrantissima Low Low High Low 10 Girardinia diversifolia Low Low High Low 11 Juniperus recurva Low Low High Low 12 Rhododendron anthopogon Low Low High Low 13 Swertia chirayita Medium Low High Low 14 Thamnocalamus spathiflorus Low Low High Low 15 Yushania microphylla Low Low High Low
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 22
3.2.2 Shyaphru VDC Table 11: Class distribution of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Artemisia dubia Medium Low High Low 2 Daphne bholua Medium Low High Low 3 Daphne papyracea Low Low High Low 4 Eupatorium adenophorum Low Low High Low 5 Girardinia diversifolia Low Low High Low 6 Hippophae salicifolia Low Low High Low 7 Juniperus recurva Medium Low High Low 8 Parmelia sp Medium Low High Low 9 Prinsepia utilis Medium Low High Low 10 Rhododendron anthopogon Low Low High Medium 11 Rhododendron setosum Low Low High Low 12 Swertia chirayita Low Low High Low 13 Valeriana jatamansii Low Low High Low 14 Viburnum mullaha Low Low High Low 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Low Low High Low
3.2.3 Bridim VDC Table 12: Class distribution of NTFPs in Bridim VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Artemisia dubia Medium Low High Low 2 Daphne papyracea Medium Low High Low 3 Elaeagnus parvifolia Medium Low High Low 4 Eupatorium adenophorum Medium Low High Low 5 Juniperus recurva Low Low High Low 6 Nardostachys grandiflora Low Low High Low 7 Parmelia sp High Low High Low 8 Persea clarkeana Medium Low High Low 9 Prinsepia utilis Medium Low High Low 10 Rhododendron anthopogon Low Low High Low 11 Swertia chirayita Low Low High Low 12 Valeriana jatamansii Low Low High Low 13 Viburnum mullaha Medium Low High Low 14 Yushania microphylla Low Low High Low 15 Zanthoxylum armatum Low Low High Low
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 23
3.2.4 Langtang VDC Table 13: Class distribution of NTFPs in Langtang VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Artemisia dubia Low Low High Low 2 Arundinaria racemosa Low Low High Low 3 Cotoneaster frigidus Medium Low High Low 4 Daphne bholua Low Low High Low 5 Daphne papyracea Low Low High Low 6 Drepanostachyum intermedium Low Low High Low 7 Ephedra gerardiana Medium Low High Medium 8 Fritillaria cirrhosa Low Low High Low 9 Girardinia diversifolia Low Low High Low 10 Hippophae salicifolia Medium Low High Low 11 Hippophae tibetana Low Low High Low 12 Rhododendron anthopogon Low Low High Low 13 Rhododendron setosum Medium Low High Medium 14 Yushania microphylla Medium Low High Low 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Medium Low High Low
3.2.5 Ramche VDC Table 14: Class distribution of NTFPs in Ramche VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Arundinaria racemosa Low Low High Low 2 Berberis asiatica High Low High Low 3 Daphne bholua Low Low High Low 4 Daphne papyracea Medium Low High Low 5 Edgeworthia gardneri Medium Low High Low 6 Gaultheria fragrantissima Medium Low High Low 7 Lycopodium clavatum Medium Low High Low 8 Paris polyphylla Medium Low High Low 9 Parmelia sp Medium Low High Low 10 Potentilla fructicosa High Low High Medium 11 Rhododendron arboreum Medium Low High Low 12 Rhododendron lepidotum Medium Low High Low 13 Swertia chirayita Medium Low High Low 14 Wikstroemia canescens Medium Low High Low 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Low Low Low Low
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 24
3.2.6 Helambu VDC Table 15: Class distribution of NTFPs in Helambu VDC
SN Botanical name Frequency R. Frequency Density R. Density 1 Artemisia dubia Low Low High Low 2 Arundinaria racemosa Low Low High Low 3 Daphne bholua Medium Low High Medium 4 Daphne papyracea Medium Low High Low 5 Drepanostachyum intermedium Low Low High Low 6 Edgeworthia gardneri Low Low Medium Low 7 Eupatorium adenophorum Low Low High Low 8 Gaultheria fragrantissima Medium Low High Low 9 Girardinia diversifolia Low Low High Low 10 Juniperus recurva Low Low High Low 11 Parmelia sp High Low High Low 12 Rubia manjith Medium Low High Low 13 Swertia chirayita Low Low High Low 14 Wikstroemia canescens Low Low High Low 15 Yushania microphylla Low Low Medium Low
3.3 Forest and vegetation types in LNPBZ Langtang National Park is representative of the Central Nepal Himalaya, which supports a high diversity of flora due to its location at the junction of Eastern and Western extremities of speciesʹ distributions. A great variety of vegetation types is present, ranging from sub‐tropical forest to alpine meadows in the studied areas. The ecological zones of the study areas of the concerned VDCs encompass the following forest and vegetation types:
a. Chir Pine Forest The chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest, also known as sub‐tropical pine forest occurs between 1000‐2000m on south facing slopes. Chir pine forest generally does not have a second storey of small trees. It is mixed with oaks at its upper limit and does not have climbers and epiphytes and the ground vegetation is also poor. The forest floor is generally covered with a brown carpet of dried needles.
b. Chir Pine‐Broadleaved Forest
The chir pine‐broadleaved forest occurs between 1000‐2000m. It is generally composed of Pinus roxburghii, Quercus spp, Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Erythrina stricta and Schima wallichii. This forest type represents the hygrophilic (humid) form of the chir pine forest.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 25
c. Schima‐Castanopsis Forest True representation of Schima‐Castanopsis forest type in natural state is scarce. Studies on the remaining vegetation have revealed that this zone may be identified as Schima‐Castanopsis zone. Schima wallichii is associated with Castanopsis indica at lower elevations (1000‐1500m) and with Castanopsis tribuloides at higher elevations (1500‐2000m). However, in some areas both the species of Castanopsis is found associated of Schima wallichii because their range of altitudinal distribution is not sharply differentiated. Other common associates of this forest are Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifoila, Eurya acuminata, Quercus sp, Juglans regia, Duabanga sp etc.
d. Alder Forest Alder (Alnus nepalensis) forms a dense forest in the sub‐tropical region (1000‐27000m) along moist sites such as ravines, river banks and fresh landslides with excessive moisture. Alder trees have proved to be useful for restoring fresh landslides and also for providing green cover of abandoned terraces. The role of Alnus nepalensis supported closely by Eupatorium adenophorum as a pioneer species has been significant in the restoration ecology of Nepal.
e. Himalayan Oak‐Laurel forest This forest type occurs between 2000‐2500m on the south of the main Himalayan range. This forest is characterized by the occurrence of oak (Quercus lanata) and a number of evergreen lauraceous trees as Litsea sp, Dodecadenia sp, Neolitsea sp, Lindera pulcherrima, Persea sp, Symplocos sp and Lyonia ovalifolia.
f. Mixed Rhododendron‐Maple forest This forest is also known as mixed broadleaved forest lying between elevations of 2600‐3000m. Rhododendron arboreum and species of maple (Acer campbelli and A. pectinatum) remain prominent in this forest type. A number of laurels and other evergreen shrubs as Symplocos spp. and Ilex spp. form the second storey; in some areas, Tsuga dumosa are found in this forest type.
g. Temperate Mountain Oak forest
The oak forest (Quercus semecarpifolia) occupies montane level at altitude of 2500‐3000m. On humid slopes, oak is associated with hemlock (Tsuga dumosa), rhododendrons and maples. Some understorey layers of laurels (Neolitsea sp, Lindera pulcherrima and Dodecadenia grandiflora) occur in this forest.
h. Fir‐Hemlock‐Oak forest It occurs in lower sub‐alpine and upper temperate zones at 2800‐3400m, characterized by the dominance of silver fir (Abies spectabilis) mixed with hemlock (Tsuga dumosa) on the northern aspects and with oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) on southern aspects.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 26
i. Rhododendron forest Rhododendron arboreum forest is widely found in coniferous forest zone with scattered Abies spectabilis layer above it. In some areas, Arundinaria sp. occurs as a shrub layer and herb layer is hardly developed. This forest ranged from 2900‐3300m.
While R. campanulatum forest is found frequently as a second layer of Abies spectabilis forest near its upper limits, but generally this formed dense thicket above the timber line. The second and shrub layers are lacking. In the herb layer, mosses dominate in most cases. This forest occurs between 3000m to 3700m.
R. barbatum is localized forest to stream‐side or concave slope in Abies spectabilis forest.
j. Silver Fir forest Pure fir forests are generally found at 3000‐3600m. Fir forest is associated with a number of rhododendrons as Rhododendron arboreum, R. barbatum, R. hodgsonii, R. campanulatum as the second layer of the canopy. A small stature bamboos Arundinaria spp. Occur at the forest destruction sites. Herbs such as Meconopsis sp, Rosa sp, Primula sp, Anemone sp, Androsace sp, Geum sp cover the grassy floor.
k. Juniper forest
Juniperus recurva is mixed in Abies spectabilis forest. However, in Thade Pati region, Surya Kunda and Gosain Kunda region, it forms pure forest attaining about 30m high with Rhododendron spp. as a second layer. Second and shrub layers are lacking and herb layer is dense.
l. Birch‐Rhododendron forest Birch‐rhododendron association is regarded as the tree line vegetation in Nepal Himalaya. Massive stands of birch (Betula utilis) are formed on north facing, shady slopes and ravines with an understorey of rhododendrons, Sorbus sp and maples (Acer sp). Birch forest is often mixed with fir trees rising above the birch canopy.
The associated rhododendron species include, Rhododendron campanulatum, R. campylocarpum, R. hodgsonii. Small stature bamboos as Arundinaria maling form an important component of ground cover with herbs as Primula sp, Rheum sp, Aconitum sp and Swertia sp.
m. Dry alpine scrub This forest type occurs from elevations 4000‐4500m. The forest is dominated by dwarf and prostrate junipers (Juniperus recurva and Juniperus indica) along with other xerophyllous plants as Ephedra gerardiana, Cassiope fastigiata, Potentilla fruticosa, Lonicera sp and Berberis spp (Berberis erythroclada, B. insignis and B. wallichiana).
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 27
n. Moist alpine scrub The vegetation is dominated by dwarf rhododendrons (Rhododendron anthopogon, R. setosum) at higher altitude and by shrubby rhododendrons (Rhododendron campanulatum, R. campylocarpum) at slightly lower elevations.
Alpine meadows are rich in species of Primula and Meconopsis. Drier sites are occupied by sedges, grasses and Ephedra sp. While, moist sites are occupied by some commercially important medicinal herbs as Nardostachys grandiflora, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Aconitum sp, Selinum tenuifolium, Swertia sp, Potentilla sp, Fritillaria cirrhosa etc.
o. Upper alpine meadows Alpine meadows are occupied by herbaceous vegetation, basically with sedges and grasses at an altitude between 4500‐5000m. This region is dominated by grass species as Carex sp, Calamogrostis sp, Agrotis sp and Festuca sp along with Primula sp, Ranunculus sp, Cotoneaster sp, Potentilla sp, Gentiana sp, Bistorta sp, Saxifraga sp, Arenaria sp and so on. Some high value medicinal plants as Aconitum sp, Nardostachys grandiflora, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Sedum sp occur in this region. 3.4 Prioritization of NTFPs The species were prioritized based on 8 principal criteria viz. (i) highly demanded commercial species (ii) species having high market price (iii) having potential for domestic value addition (iv) species available over wide geographical range (v) species harvestable in short rotation period (vi) land fertility requirement for species (vii) species importance in ethnobotany and (viii) species conservation status. 3.4.1 Prioritization of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Ghyangphedi VDC for value addition and marketing linkage and further assessment are Titepati (Artemisia dubia and A. indica), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima) and Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon). The details are given in table below:
Table 16: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processing technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
1 Artemisia dubia 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 28
2 Artemisia indica 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33 3 Arundinaria racemosa 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 4 Daphne bholua 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 5 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 6 Drepanostachyum
intermedium 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26
7 Edgeworthia gardneri 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 30 8 Eupatorium adenophorum 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 27 9 Gaultheria fragrantissima 3 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 29 10 Girardinia diversifolia 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 32 11 Juniperus recurva 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 27 12 Rhododendron anthopogon 3 3 3 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 29 13 Swertia chirayita 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 33 14 Thamnocalamus spathiflorus 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 15 Yushania microphylla 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26
3.4.2 Prioritization of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Shyaphru VDC for value addition and marketing linkage and further study are Titepati (Artemisia dubia), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Dalechuk (Hippophae salicifolia), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Jhyau (Parmelia sp). The details are given in table below:
Table 17: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processing technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
1 Artemisia dubia 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33 2 Daphne bholua 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 3 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 4 Eupatorium adenophorum 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 27 5 Girardinia diversifolia 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 32 6 Hippophae salicifolia 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 29 7 Juniperus recurva 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 27 8 Parmelia sp 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 3 28
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 29
9 Prinsepia utilis 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 24 10 Rhododendron anthopogon 3 3 3 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 29 11 Rhododendron setosum 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 21 12 Swertia chirayita 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 33 13 Valeriana jatamansii 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 3 30 14 Viburnum mullaha 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 25 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 32 3.4.3 Prioritization of NTFPs in Bridim VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Bridim VDC for value addition and marketing linkage and further assessment are Titepati (Artemisia dubia), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii), Lokta (Daphne papyracea), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon), Jhyau (Parmelia sp), Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora), Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum) and Dhupi (Juniperus recurva). The details are given in table below:
Table 18: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Bridim VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processing technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
1 Artemisia dubia 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33 2 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 3 Elaeagnus parvifolia 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 2 2 23 4 Eupatorium adenophorum 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 27 5 Juniperus recurva 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 27 6 Nardostachys grandiflora 3 3 1 2 3 3 3 3 1 2 1 3 28 7 Parmelia sp 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 3 28 8 Persea clarkeana 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 22 9 Prinsepia utilis 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 24 10 Rhododendron anthopogon 3 3 3 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 29 11 Swertia chirayita 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 33 12 Valeriana jatamansii 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 3 30 13 Viburnum mullaha 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 25 14 Yushania microphylla 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 15 Zanthoxylum armatum 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 32
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 30
3.4.4 Prioritization of NTFPs in Langtang VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Langtang VDC for value addition and marketing linkage and further assessment are Titepati (Artemisia dubia), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon), Dalechuk (Hippophae salicifolia), Bhuichuk (Hippophae tibetana), Ban Lasun (Fritillaria cirrhosa) and Sano Malingo (Arundinaria racemosa). The details are given in table below:
Table 19: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Langtang VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processing technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
1 Artemisia dubia 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33 2 Arundinaria racemosa 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 3 Cotoneaster frigidus 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 22 4 Daphne bholua 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 5 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 6 Drepanostachyum
intermedium 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26
7 Ephedra gerardiana 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 2 2 24 8 Fritillaria cirrhosa 3 3 2 1 3 1 3 2 2 3 1 3 27 9 Girardinia diversifolia 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 32 10 Hippophae salicifolia 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 29 11 Hippophae tibetana 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 29 12 Rhododendron anthopogon 3 3 3 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 29 13 Rhododendron setosum 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 21 14 Yushania microphylla 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 32 3.4.5 Prioritization of NTFPs in Ramche VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Ramche VDC for value addition, marketing linkage and further study are Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Argeli (Edgworthia gardneri), Chutro (Berberis asiatica), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), Jhyau (Parmelia sp) and Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum). The details are given in table below:
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 31
Table 20: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Ramche VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processin g technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
1 Arundinaria racemosa 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 2 Berberis asiatica 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 29 3 Daphne bholua 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 4 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 5 Edgeworthia gardneri 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 30 6 Gaultheria fragrantissima 3 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 29 7 Lycopodium clavatum 3 3 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 27 8 Paris polyphylla 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 29 9 Parmelia sp 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 3 28 10 Potentilla fructicosa 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 1 2 25 11 Rhododendron arboreum 3 3 2 3 3 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 28 12 Rhododendron lepidotum 1 1 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 22 13 Swertia chirayita 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 33 14 Wikstroemia canescens 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 24 15 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 32 3.4.6 Prioritization of NTFPs in Helambu VDC Prioritized NTFP species of Helambu VDC for value addition, marketing linkage and further study are Titepati (Artemisia dubia), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Argeli (Edgworthia gardneri), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Majitho (Rubia manjith), Jhyau (Parmelia sp) and Dhupi (Juniperus recurva). The details are given in table below: Table 21: Matrix preference ranking of NTFPs in Helambu VDC SN
Criteria⇒
NTFP species ⇓ M
arket demand
Margin / Profit
Availability ( in tim
e )
Geographical
distribution
Conservation status
Potential for cultivation
Regenerative potential
Contribution to income
Gender impact
Potential for value
addition
Processing technology
Ethnobotanical value
Total
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 32
1 Artemisia dubia 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 33 2 Arundinaria racemosa 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 3 Daphne bholua 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29 4 Daphne papyracea 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 29
5 Drepanostachyum intermedium
2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26
6 Edgeworthia gardneri 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 30 7 Eupatorium adenophorum 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 27 8 Gaultheria fragrantissima 3 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 29 9 Girardinia diversifolia 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 32 10 Juniperus recurva 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 27 11 Parmelia sp 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 3 28 12 Rubia manjith 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 29 13 Swertia chirayita 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 33 14 Wikstroemia canescens 1 1 3 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 24 15 Yushania microphylla 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 26 3.5 Threat analysis Rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA) analysis was carried out for the prioritized NTFP species of respective VDCs of the study area within LNPBZ. RVA was conducted on the basis of the following criteria: 1) ecology, 2) life form, 3) parts used and 4) harvesting method. 3.5.1 RVA of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Ghyangphedi VDC are Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon), Malingo (Thamnocalamus spathiflorus), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia) and Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima). The details are shown in table below:
Table 22: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Artemisia dubia 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 172 Artemisia indica 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 173 Arundinaria racemosa 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 164 Daphne bholua 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 165 Daphne papyracea 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 16
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 33
6 Drepanostachyum intermedium 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 167 Edgeworthia gardneri 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 188 Eupatorium adenophorum 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 189 Gaultheria fragrantissima 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1610 Girardinia diversifolia 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1611 Juniperus recurva 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1212 Rhododendron anthopogon 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1313 Swertia chirayita 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1714 Thamnocalamus spathiflorus 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1515 Yushania microphylla 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 16 3.5.2 RVA of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Shyaphru VDC are Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Bhramsi (Viburnum mullaha), Dalechuk (Hippophae salicifolia), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Bhale Sunpati (Rhododendron setosum). The details are shown in table below:
Table 23: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Artemisia dubia 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 172 Daphne bholua 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 163 Daphne papyracea 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 164 Eupatorium adenophorum 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 185 Girardinia diversifolia 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 166 Hippophae salicifolia 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 147 Juniperus recurva 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 128 Parmelia sp 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 169 Prinsepia utilis 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1710 Rhododendron anthopogon 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1511 Rhododendron setosum 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1512 Swertia chirayita 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1713 Valeriana jatamansii 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1714 Viburnum mullaha 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1415 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 16
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 34
3.5.3 RVA of NTFPs in Bridim VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Bridim VDC are Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Bhulna (Persea clarkeana), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon), Bhramsi (Viburnum mullaha) and Malingo (Yushania microphylla). The details are shown in table below:
Table 24: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Bridim VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Artemisia dubia 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 172 Daphne papyracea 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 163 Elaeagnus parvifolia 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 164 Eupatorium adenophorum 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 185 Juniperus recurva 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 126 Nardostachys grandiflora 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 167 Parmelia sp 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 168 Persea clarkeana 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 159 Prinsepia utilis 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1710 Rhododendron anthopogon 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1511 Swertia chirayita 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1712 Valeriana jatamansii 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1713 Viburnum mullaha 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1514 Yushania microphylla 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1515 Zanthoxylum armatum 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 16 3.5.4 RVA of NTFPs in Langtang VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Langtang VDC are Sano Malingo (Arundinaria racemosa), Lokta (Daphne bholua), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Malingo (Yushania microphylla). The details are shown in table below:
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 35
Table 25: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Langtang VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Artemisia dubia 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 172 Arundinaria racemosa 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 153 Cotoneaster frigidus 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 174 Daphne bholua 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 155 Daphne papyracea 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 156 Drepanostachyum intermedium 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 157 Ephedra gerardiana 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 178 Fritillaria cirrhosa 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 189 Girardinia diversifolia 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1510 Hippophae salicifolia 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1711 Hippophae tibetana 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1612 Rhododendron anthopogon 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1513 Rhododendron setosum 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1514 Yushania microphylla 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1515 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 16 3.5.5 RVA of NTFPs in Ramche VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Ramche VDC are Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum), Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Lokta (Daphne bholua) and Sano Malingo (Arundinaria racemosa). The details are shown in table below:
Table 26: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Ramche VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Arundinaria racemosa 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 162 Berberis asiatica 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 183 Daphne bholua 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 16
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 36
4 Daphne papyracea 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 165 Edgeworthia gardneri 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 186 Gaultheria fragrantissima 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 157 Lycopodium clavatum 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 188 Paris polyphylla 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 169 Parmelia sp 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1610 Potentilla fructicosa 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1811 Rhododendron arboreum 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1412 Rhododendron lepidotum 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1813 Swertia chirayita 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1714 Wikstroemia canescens 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1615 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 15 3.5.6 RVA of NTFPs in Helambu VDC The most vulnerable NTFP species of Helambu VDC are Dhupi (Juniperus recurva), Sano Malingo (Arundinaria racemosa), Tite Nigalo (Drepanostachyum intermedium), Malingo (Yushania microphylla) and Lokta (Daphne bholua). The details are shown in table below:
Table 27: RVA analysis of NTFPs in Helambu VDC
SN
Criteria⇒
NTFPs ⇓ A
bundance
Growth
Rate of reproduction
Mode of reproduction
Habitat
Habitat diversity
Life form diversity
Life form
Parts used
Harvesting method
Score
1 Artemisia dubia 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 172 Arundinaria racemosa 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 153 Daphne bholua 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 164 Daphne papyracea 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 165 Drepanostachyum intermedium 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 156 Edgeworthia gardneri 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 177 Eupatorium adenophorum 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 188 Gaultheria fragrantissima 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 169 Girardinia diversifolia 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1610 Juniperus recurva 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1311 Parmelia sp 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1612 Rubia manjith 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1713 Swertia chirayita 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1714 Wikstroemia canescens 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1615 Yushania microphylla 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 15
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 37
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Trade and trading pattern of NTFPs in LNPBZ The local communities of the study areas depend on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, trade labor, and foreign employment and to some extent hotel and restaurants business and tourism for their livelihood support. However, few villagers are engaged in the cultivation, collection and trade of NTFPs as seasonal and additional source of income.
Despite the provision of restriction on collection, processing and trade of forest products by National Parkʹs regulation, illegal collection and trade of forest products are still prominent in forests of core areas and also from the buffer zone community forests.
The traded NTFPs/products and their trading pattern in the study areas are as follows:
4.1.1 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC Mostly the elder members of villages of Ghyangphedi VDC collect nigalo and malingo culms from the nearby buffer zone community forests. They process the culms using traditional methods for making products like chitra, bhakari, dala and doko. These products are either sold or barter with rice to the villagers of Shikhar besi VDC, Nuwakot.
According to the village key informants, collectors and traders from Yarsha VDC, Rasuwa would come to the forests of Ghyangphedi VDC each year (during July‐August) in groups of 20‐30 persons and collect Lokta bark (D. bholua and D. papyracea) unsustainably without the collection permit from buffer zone community forest user groups and Langtang National Park (LNP). Usually they obtain the release letter for the transportation and trade of Lokta bark from District Forest Office/Range Post outside the National Park or directly sell the Lokta bark to the handmade paper enterprise at Karu marang (Danda gaun VDC), Rasuwa.
Table 28: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ghyangphedi VDC SN NTFPs Products Trade value 1 Culm of Tite nigalo (Drepanostachyum
intermedium) Chitra NRs. 150‐160 per piece or barter
with rice in Shikhar besi VDC 2 Culm of Sano malingo (Arundinaria
racemosa) Bhakari NRs. 100‐110 per piece or barter
with rice in Shikhar besi VDC 3 Culm of Malingo (Thamnocalamus
spathiflorus and Yushania microphylla) Dala NRs. 40‐50 per piece or barter
with rice in Shikhar besi VDC 4 Culm of Sano malingo (Arundinaria
racemosa) Doko NRs. 25‐30 per piece or barter
with rice in Shikhar besi VDC
Trading pattern of NTFPs 1. Trading pattern of Malingo/Nigalo products Collectors Value addition/processing or basketry in villages Trade or barter to Shikhar besi VDC
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 38
2. Trading pattern of Lokta bark Collectors from Yarsha VDC (illegal collection) Sell to handmade paper enterprise at Karu marang (Danda gaun VDC), Rasuwa or Handmade paper enterprises at Kathmandu 4.1.2 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC Few farmers of Thulo shyaphru and Brabal villages are engaged in the commercial cultivation of NTFPs as Sugandhawal, Chirayito, Satuwa, Padamchaal etc. in their private lands with the permit from LNP. The farmers harvest the NTFPs, clean, dry and package in their particular village and trade to Kathmandu market with the release permit from LNP.
On the other hand, few collectors from Thulo bharku and Sano bharku villages illegally collect Lichens (both Parmelia sp and Usnea sp) from nearby forests within the National Park. They carry the collected lichens to Chilime via vehicles where the collections permit and release letter are provided by the District Forest Office/Range Post, stating that they were granted for collection of Lichens from either Chilime or Goljung or Gatlang VDC.
Table 29: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Shyaphru VDC
SN NTFPs Products Trade value1 Jhyau (Parmelia sp and Usnea sp) Raw/Crude form NRs. 60‐70 per kg 2 Rhizomes and roots of Sugandhawal
(Valeriana jatamansii) Raw/Crude form Rhizomes‐NRs.140 per kg
Roots‐NRs.105 per kg 3 Whole parts of Chirayito (Swertia chirayita) Raw/Crude form NRs. 200‐225 per kg
Trading pattern of NTFPs 1. Trading channel of other cultivated herbs Farmers/collectors Traders of Kathmandu (Rakesh traders, Teku, Kathmandu)
2. Trading channel of Jhyau Collectors (illegal collection) Collection depo (Shyaphru besi or Chilime) Middleman (Road head trader) Traders of Kathmandu 4.1.3 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Bridim VDC Few local people of Bridim, Khanjim and Benzam villages collect Timur fruits from the nearby forests basically for their local consumption. Some collectors collect Timur fruits to sell in the local market (Shyaphru besi) and to provide their relatives living in Kathmandu as a gift.
Table 30: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Bridim VDC
SN NTFP Products Trade value 1 Fruits of Timur (Zanthoxylum
armatum) Raw/crude form NRs. 40‐50 per mana
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 39
Trading pattern of Timur fruits Collectors Locally consumed Collectors Sell to Shyaphru besi or Consumed in Kathmandu 4.1.4 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Langtang VDC Local inhabitants of Langtang and Kyanjing villages collect Sunpati and Dhupi leaves for using as incense. Few herders of both the villages collect bulb of Ban lasun and Yarsha gumba for the local consumption and sell within the village for using as healing purposes.
While, few collectors of Langtang village harvest Seabuckthorn fruits (both Hippophae salicifolia and H. tibetana) in large quantities illegally from the forest and locally process them to crude juice and sell it to the marketing centre (Souvenir Shop) at Dhunche.
Table 31: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Langtang VDC
SN NTFP Products Trade value 1 Bulb of Ban lasun (Fritillaria cirrhosa) Raw/crude form NRs. 240‐250 per mana 2 Yarsha gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) Raw/crude form NRs. 50‐60 per piece
1. Trading pattern of Seabuckthorn juice Collectors (illegal collection) Process crude juice Sell to marketing centre at Dhunche
2. Trading pattern of Ban lasun and Yarsha gumba Collectors Locally consumed or Sell at local level 4.1.5 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ramche VDC Some farmers of Grang, Ramche and Goreshe villages have started cultivation of Chirayito, Sugandhawal and Argeli in commercial scale in their private lands with the prior permit from LNP. They harvest the NTFPs, process locally and sell them to the road head traders at Betrawati or sometimes sell directly to Kathmandu market after the release letter from LNP.
However, collectors from Bhorle and Dhaibung VDCs illegally and unsustainably harvest Lokta bark (both Daphne bholua and D. papyracea) from the forests lying at National Park and sell them to the paper making enterprise at Karu marang (Danda gaun VDC), Rasuwa.
Table 32: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Ramche VDC
SN NTFPs Products Trade value 1 Chirayito (Swertia chirayita) Raw/crude form NRs. 200‐250 per kg 2 Argeli white skin (Edgeworthia
gardneri) Raw NRs. 40‐50 per kg
3 Lokta bark (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea)
Raw NRs. 70‐ 80 per kg
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 40
1. Trading pattern of cultivated NTFPs Collectors Middleman (Road head traders)/ or directly Kathmandu market
2. Trading pattern of Lokta bark Collectors (illegal collection) Sell to handmade paper enterprise at Karu marang (Danda gaun VDC) 4.1.6 Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Helambu VDC Mostly the collectors from nearby Kewal and Mahakal VDCs collect Lokta bark from the forests of Helambu and sell them to the middleman at Gyalthum for the trade to Kathmandu market or they directly sell to the handmade paper factory at Kewal VDC.
Similarly, they collect Lichens from the nearby forests and Kutki rhizomes from high altitude shrubberies of Helambu and sell them to the middleman at Timbu village or Timbu Bus Park. The collection and trade of NTFPs in Helambu VDC takes place through illegal and unsustainable process.
Table 33: Marketing status/trade value of NTFPs in Helambu VDC
SN NTFPs Products Trade value1 Lokta bark (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea) Raw NRs. 70‐80 per kg 2 Jhyau (Parmelia sp and Usnea sp) Raw NRs. 70‐90 per kg 3 Kutki rhizome (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora) Raw NRs. 150‐160 per kg 1. Trading pattern of Lokta bark Collectors Middleman Handmade paper factory at Kewal VDC /or collection centre at Gyalthum (Mahakal VDC) Kathmandu market 2. Jhyau and Kutki rhizome Collectors Middleman Kathmandu market; Collection centre at Timbu village or Timbu Bus Park
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 41
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Potentiality for enterprise development in LNPBZ Forest based enterprises exist in various modalities, which can be outlined in aspects of ownership structure, linkages to raw materials, target markets, seasonality of operation, technological sophistication, management structure, product types and similar characteristics.
On the ownership dimension, 5 different modalities can be set up in LNPBZ, they are as follows: a) Sole enterprise, b) BZUC/WAG enterprise, c) Consortium of BZUCs enterprise, d) Cooperatives and e) Private limited company
In terms of linkages of raw materials, economic and enterprise activities are based on raw materials drawn from buffer zone community forests and forests within the National Park.
On the basis of the resource availability, processing technology, communities’ willingness and market linkage, the following are the potentiality for enterprise development in the studied VDCs of LNPBZ:
5.1.1 Potentiality for enterprise development in Ghyangphedi VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Lokta bark (Daphne bholua and D.
papyracea), Argeli white skin (Edgeworthia gardneri), Allo fiber (Girardinia diversifolia)
Collective marketing centre‐ A cooperative model
2 Dhasingre leaves (Gaultheria fragrantissima), Titepati leaves (Artemisia dubia and A. indica)
Processing of Wintergreen oil from Dhasingre leaves and Artemisia oil from Titepati leaves –Establishment of processing unit at Ghyangphedi village
3 Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Argeli, Mal Bans (Bambusa nutans) and Amriso (Thysanolaena maxima)
1. Establishment of multipurpose nursery; 2. Commercial cultivation enterprises in private lands of the respective villages
4 Nigalo and Malingo culms (Drepanostachyum intermedium,Arundinaria racemosa, Thamnocalamus spathiflorus and Yushania microphylla)
Basketry and handicraft enterprises
5 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks, Angeri leaves (Lyonia ovalifolia), Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa), Ketuke (Agave americana)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 34: Potentiality for enterprise development in Ghyangphedi VDC
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 42
5.1.2 Potentiality for enterprise development in Shyaphru VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii),
Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Padamchaal (Rheum australe), Zanthoxylum armatum (Timur), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri)
1. Establishment of multipurpose nursery; 2. Cultivation in private lands; 3. Formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
2 Flowers of Gurans (Rhododendron arboreum), fruits of Bhramsi (Viburnum mullaha), Bhaki amilo (Rhus javanica), Rallu (Elaegnus parvifolia) and Bhulna (Persea clarkeana)
Juice and herbal drinks making
3 Seeds of Melong (Prinsepia utilis) Edible oil expelling 4 Ban mara (Eupatorium adenophorum) and
Titepati (Artemisia spp.) Bio briquette making
5 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks, Angeri leaves (Lyonia ovalifolia), Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 35: Potentiality for enterprise development in Shyaphru VDC
5.1.3 Potentiality for enterprise development in Bridim VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Fruits of Bhramsi (Viburnum mullaha),
Rallu (Elaegnus parvifolia) and Bhulna (Persea clarkeana)
Juice and herbal drinks making
2 Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii), Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla)
Cultivation in private lands; formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
3 Seeds of Melong (Prinsepia utilis) Edible oil expelling 4 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks,
Angeri leaves (Lyonia ovalifolia), Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 36: Potentiality for enterprise development in Bridim VDC
5.1.4 Potentiality for enterprise development in Langtang VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Fruits of Dale chuk and Bhui chuk
(Hippophae salicifolia and H. tibetana respectively)
Juice, herbal drinks and jam making
2 Lek timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum) and Ban lasun (Fritillaria cirrhosa)
Cultivation in private lands; formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 43
3 Leaves of Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon) and inflorescence of Titepati (Artemisia sp)
Incense making
4 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks, Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 37: Potentiality for enterprise development in Langtang VDC
5.1.5 Potentiality for enterprise development in Ramche VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii),
Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri)
1. Establishment of multipurpose nursery; 2. Cultivation in private lands; 3. Formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
2 Medicinal and aromatic herbs Establishment of traditional health care centre 3 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks,
Angeri leaves (Lyonia ovalifolia), Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 38: Potentiality for enterprise development in Ramche VDC
5.1.6 Potentiality for enterprise development in Helambu VDC SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development1 Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansii),
Chirayito (Swertia chirayita), Lek Timur (Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri )
1. Multipurpose nursery management 2. Cultivation in private lands; 3. Formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
2 Lokta bark (Daphne bholua and D. papyracea) Formation of collection and marketing cooperatives
3 Leaves of Dhasingre (Gaultheria fragrantissima)
Processing into wintergreen oil; establishment of distillation units at Nakote
4 Titepati leaves, Timur leaves and barks, Angeri leaves (Lyonia ovalifolia), Bulu leaves (Pieris formosa)
Organic insecticides/pesticides making
Table 39: Potentiality for enterprise development in Helambu VDC
5.2 Potential markets of the value added NTFP products The enterprise models and the NTFPs products to be value added are designed with the motive of markets linkage assurance focusing basically at the local level consumption.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 44
Table 40: Potential markets for NTFPs products SN Specific products Potential markets1 Allo fiber/Allo thread Clothes weaving enterprises of Kathmandu 2 Amriso broom Local markets/ Household level 3 Argeli white skin Handmade paper enterprises at Kathmandu 4 Bio briquette Hotels and restaurants of the trekking route 5 Crude herbs (Sugandhawal,
Chirayito, Padamchaal, Satuwa, Ban Lasun)
Herbs and herbal products traders of Kathmandu
6 Edible oil Local markets/ Household level 7 Essential oils (Wintergreen oil and
Artemisia oil) Various essential oils traders/exporters and health care herbal products manufacturers at Kathmandu
8 Handicrafts and basketry Basketry: Porters/ local markets/Household level Handicrafts: Tourists souvenir shops
9 Herbal incense Local markets/ Household level 10 Juice (Seabuckthorn and Gurans
Juice) Hotels and restaurants in trekking route
11 Lokta bark Ghyangphedi VDC: Handmade paper enterprises at Kathmandu Helambu VDC: Handmade paper enterprise at Kewal VDC/ Handmade paper enterprises at Kathmandu
12 Organic insecticide/pesticides Farmers/ Household level 13 Seedlings and saplings of
multipurpose herbs and NTFPs Other VDCs or user groups for cultivation / Household level
14 Timur fruits Dhunche and Shyaphru besi markets/ Hotels and restaurants of the trekking route
5.3 Value addition techniques of NTFPs Value addition techniques at local level includes; cleaning, drying, grading, packaging and improved marketing. Commonly practiced methods of value addition of NTFPs and their techniques are presented below:
Table 41: Value addition techniques of NTFPs SN Type of value
addition Techniques
1 Drying Sun drying: For medicinal herbs Shade drying: For aromatic plants
2 Cleaning Cleaning with water for roots/rhizomes, using clothes and brushes for other parts
3 Grading Grading on the basis of the quality 4 Packaging Packaging in polythene bags ensuring free of moisture 5 Improved trading Adopting collective bargaining
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 45
5.4 Processing technology Simple and locally available technologies are more sustainable than the imported and more sophisticated ones. Through the technological interventions there is a scope to improve the quality, reduce the loss, increase the efficiency of operation and thereby reduce the cost.
Technological improvements can also be made building on the traditional and existing technologies to match the current market requirement.
Few processing technology on NTFPs that can be adopted in LNPBZ are as follows:
Table 42: Processing technology and application SN Technology Examples of application 1 Bio briquette Banmara, titepati 2 Compacting Chirayito 3 Debarking Lokta bark and argeli white skin 4 Drying (traditional sun drying, fire
drying, shade drying and improved solar drier)
All medicinal and aromatic plants
5 Extraction of juice Dale chuk, bhui chuk, bhulna, rallu, bhramsi, bhaki amilo
6 Fiber extraction Allo and ketuke 7 Grinding and mixing Herbal incense 8 Oil expeller Fixed oil extraction from melong 9 Packaging All raw NTFPs, value added products and finished
products 10 Paper making Lokta bark and argeli white skin 11 Steam distillation Essential oils from aromatic plants (Dhasingre,
titepati, sunpati, dhupi, timur, talispatra/ gobre salla etc.)
12 Weaving (Shuttle loom and pedal operated spinning)
Allo clothes
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 46
CHAPTER SIX
6.1 Biological sustainable harvesting Biological diversity and sustainability occur at several levels: a) genes b) population c) community and d) ecosystem Harvesting can impact all of these levels. Since the effect of harvesting are superimposed on the natural population dynamics, a comparison between natural and harvested populations will provide enough information to assess sustainability.
To determine biologically sustainable harvesting levels start by collecting community knowledge on particular species. It is important to know: a) The current level of harvesting b) The area where it is harvested c) The amount traded d) The various harvesting methods e) The season, percentage and parts of plant harvested
If the species is traditionally collected, indigenous knowledge provides information on sustainable harvesting levels. Less information on sustainability exists for products that are not traditionally collected. Establish sampling areas for both traditionally collected and non‐ traditionally collected products. Sampling areas provide biological information on the collected natural products.
Box 1: Checklist to assess harvesting sustainability of forest products knowledge on the natural distribution of the species frequency of occurrence or abundance population structure (age/size/class distribution) dynamics of the species (growth and reproduction rates) variation among habitats role within the ecosystem
6.2 Harvesting impact on population dynamics Forest products harvesting can have short and long term effects on the plant, ecosystem and overall biodiversity. Harvesting impacts on one population can cause ecologically unsustainable conditions for other species and the ecosystem structure.
Sustainability must be viewed holistically. Immediate short‐term effects of harvesting may be seen in the growth rate or reproduction capacity of the plant, while ecosystem changes may take longer to materialize.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 47
To distinguish short and long term effects of harvesting on population dynamics, monitoring is done at two stages: • rapid assessment of the immediate short term impact of harvesting on current
population structure and • long term change in population dynamics that can be monitored from sampling areas
Harvesting effects on population dynamics vary by the classification of plants (annual or perennial), plant parts that are harvested and how it is harvested. For a rapid assessment, monitoring focuses on the life stage being harvested.
Table 43: Rapid assessment of harvesting effects on population dynamics Life stage harvested Effect of harvesting Immediate impact Annual herb before fruiting or seeding
Destruction of reproductive adult
If harvested before fruit/seeds are produced and disseminated then only those plants that escape harvest will supply seeds for next generation
Herbaceous perennial (roots or rhizomes)
May result in destruction of reproductive adult or underground storage tissue
Reproductive capacity severely affected
Woody perennial (leaves) juvenile
If too many leaves are constantly removed, it may not reach reproductive maturity
Lack of seeds and propagation
Woody perennial (leaves) reproductive adults
Increased mortality due to disease as a result of damage
Size distribution, growth, health and reproductive activity may be altered
6.3 Establishing sampling areas Sampling areas provide information on the distribution and abundance of forest products and the impact of harvesting on the plant’s population dynamics. Sampling areas are also an important part of biological monitoring.
To determine the long term impact of harvesting on population dynamics, permanent plots must be established. Trials that measure the effect of different harvesting levels and methods are also helpful.
Sampling areas must be monitored for years twice at a minimum, to learn how harvesting effects overall biodiversity. Sampling areas help to: - establish rotational harvesting schedules - identify optimal harvesting times and methods - get community members involved in hands on biological monitoring - devise more accurate community resource management plans
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 48
Table 44: Recommended optimal harvesting practices for sustainable NTFPs product use Parts harvested
Optimal harvest season
Optimal rotational interval
Optimal % of plants not harvested
Optimal harvesting methods
Rhizomes with roots
July‐October 3‐5 years At least 20% plants undisturbed
Whole plants pulled from bushy areas and dug out carefully with the tool, kuto, from open grasslands
Fruits July‐September
1‐2 years At least 20% fruits undisturbed
Fruits/fruits with stalks are detached from stem using sickles or bare hands
Leaves/needles July‐October 1 year At least 30% of leaves left on plant
Leaves hand picked or cut with scissors
Flowers May‐August 1‐2 years At least 30% of flowers left undisturbed
Flowers hand picked or cut with scissors
Barks May‐August 3‐5 years At least 75% bark left undisturbed/For debarking Lokta bark and Argeli white skin the stem should be cut at least 15‐18 cm above the ground
Bark pulled from plants with the help of sickles or knife/khukuri
Aerial parts July‐ October 2‐3 years At least 40% plant left undisturbed
Aerial parts cut with scissor or khukuri
6.4 Developing a raw material sourcing plan After identifying the raw material sources, prepare a sourcing plan to estimate the raw material flow in relation to the enterprise. The sourcing plan should ensure a reliable supply of raw materials.
Categories the area in terms of: • ecosystem (forest, pasture) • raw material • legal control (private, community or government owned) • quality • distance from the enterprise • accessibility
Prepare a map illustrating the origins of raw materials. Assess potential risks associated with each location. The final estimate should be able to account for potential risks. Consider that labor may not always be available for collection and transportation activities. Assess
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 49
the seasonal migration situation to minimize any problems resulting from a labor shortage. Likewise, consider the seasonal conditions of the raw material base. It is important to have good relations and communication with respective suppliers.
Box 2: Check list for raw materials sourcing plan resource supply areas raw material type and quality quantity by season storage facility legal obligations/ permits transportation arrangements labor supply management agreements with suppliers risk and strategies working capital requirements
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 50
CHAPTER SEVEN 7.1 Conclusion The study area harbors rich diversity of NTFP resources. However, most of the local communities of the study areas are unaware about the use and benefits of NTFPs available in the nearby forests and their farm lands except for fuel wood, fodder and incense.
Resource assessment of NTFPs in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone using the inventory parameters revealed that there are tremendous potentialities for the cultivation, harvesting, value addition and marketing of prioritized NTFPs. The tourism in the region can create the local markets of the value added NTFPs based products. The local communities of the off trail routes are more curios for the promotion of NTFPs which would support their livelihood.
Enterprise development potentialities assessment in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone revealed that, there are immense potentialities of enterprise set up for the product lines as herbal incense, bio‐briquette, edible oil expelling, herbal drinks/juice making, handicrafts and basketry, organic insecticide/pesticide, cultivation of NTFPs, collective marketing centre for crude herbs and NTFPs and essential oils extraction (Artemisia oil and Wintergreen oil) in various locations of Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone.
For genesis, operation and growth of forest based enterprise in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone; a biologically sustainable harvesting mechanism should be prepared for each buffer zone community forest and forests within National Park. Moreover, some factors that contribute to or hinder the genesis, operation and growth of enterprises should be taken into account. These include: awareness raising, technical assistance, financial support, marketing support, marketing outlets, community characteristics, natural resource base, technology, policy factors, enterprise consequences and natural resource conservation.
In conclusion, the communities’ motivation towards entrepreneurship, institutionalization of user groups (BZUGs, WAGs, and BZUCs) and regulatory mechanisms for sustainable harvesting of NTFPs would definitely create the income generating opportunities and would assist in the conservation of biodiversity in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone. 7.2 Recommendations Pressure on forest resources of Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone are becoming increasingly severe. The fairly widespread deforestation that has occurred in response to the local demand for pasture, arable land, timber, fuel wood and illegal trade of NTFPs has been accelerated by the needs of local households, lodges and porters.
In this respect, the concern over conservation of the forest resources and livelihoods cannot be separated. The local communities play a crucial role for the conservation and sustainable
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 51
utilization of forest resources including NTFPs. Conservation and sustainable management of the forest resources are the ever raised issues, but why and how to conserve and manage are the big questions challenging ever. Therefore, the following steps are recommended for addressing conservation of forest resources and livelihood issues of local communities in Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone:
1. Awareness programs (workshops, exhibitions, exposure visits, and demonstration of the products) on the importance of NTFPs; conservation and sustainable utilization, cultivation and harvesting at local level need to be conducted.
2. Capacity building/strengthening the concerned BZUGs / WAGs / BZUCs on institutional development, governance/equity, fund mobilization, financial management, record keeping, benefit sharing mechanism etc. should be initiated.
3. Field based training package on NTFPs promotion; time and technique of collection, local processing technology, storage, quality control, packaging, labeling, and cultivation of major NTFPs should be conducted.
4. Development of biological sustainable harvesting system; block rotation system preferable for harvesting/ participatory monitoring system should be prepared for each user groups.
5. Detailed assessment of the potential enterprises that can be set up in LNPBZ should be conducted in collaboration with various user groups.
6. Feasibility study on market linkage, technology transfer, equipments and availability of skill manpower should be conducted for each product line.
7. Micro‐credit facilities should be provided for the initiation of small scale enterprises and financial and operational support should be provided for the medium scale consortium enterprise/ cooperative model.
8. Initiation for the management and conduction of pilot model enterprise preferably, herbal incense (Shyaphru or Langtang VDC); juice making (Shyaphru or Langtang VDC) and essential oil production (Ghyangphedi or Helambu VDC).
9. Strengthening and institutionalization of traditional healing system (including amchis, lamas/jhakris and other healers) preferably in Ramche and Thulo shyaphru villages.
10. Formation of committee/ organization for providing necessary technology, seeds/seedlings to farmers.
11. Establishment of marketing information system (MIS) on NTFPs at Dhunche.
12. Formation of collective marketing centre/ cooperative for marketing NTFPs / NTFPs products in Shyaphru besi or Ramche or Kalikasthan.
Resource Assessment of NTFPs in LNPBZ 52
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