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1. In collaboration with Central Department of Botany, the team was working on “Botanical Exploration of South-Western Terai Nepal”, to enlist and prepare herbarium specimens of Angiosperms, Pteriodophytes, Bryophytes and Lichens of that region. The project was supported by National Geographic Society, Washington D.C., U.S.A. Executive SummaryAlthough the central and eastern parts of Nepal have been botanically explored in detail, however, the western Nepal is poorly studied, due to several reasons. Therefore, reports on the flora of western part of Nepal have been very few in comparisons to that of central and eastern parts. Similarly, most of the botanical explorations, so far, conducted by the national and western botanists have been confined to the higher physiographic zones of the country and hence the flora of Terai and Churiya is poorly represented in the herbaria of Nepal and elsewhere. The present work aims to explore Western Nepal in detail with particular emphasis on the tropical flora of Terai and Churiya. The expedition is highly significant because the research will cover areas in western Terai Nepal that have been very poorly surveyed in the past. Despite its low number of reported species, the available evidences suggest that western Nepal is unique in terms of highest number of endemic flora. Similarly, the research is also significant because it will cover various plant groups including lower plants, which are particularly less explored from the entire Nepal Himalaya. The primary objective of the present work is to carry out botanical exploration of south-west Nepal with particular emphasis on the tropical flora of Terai and Churiya. Emphasis has been given to collect ethnobotanical information of the plant resources; to train young taxonomists (students and researchers), and to strengthen the Tribhuvan University Central Herbarium (TUCH). The study area includes south-western part of Nepal, especially the lowland between Dang-Deukhuri to Mahakali River near the Indian border in west Nepal. Preliminary surveys were made at altitudes between 100 to 1100 m of Terai and Siwalik. The area includes five districts (Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur) of southwest Nepal encompassing an area of 12,162 sq km. The team members have collected 3-5 sets of specimens for most plant groups (flowering plants, ferns, bryophytes and lichens). A set of specimens has been deposited at the herbarium of Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University (TUCH). Duplicate specimens will be sent to the National Herbarium of Nepal (KATH), and herbaria of Tokyo Universitry (TI), Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (E), The Natural History Museum (BM), and Missouri Botanical Garden (MO), wherever possible. About 2500 specimens of vascular plants were collected during the five field trips conducted in the tropical zone of West Nepal. Out of them, about 575 species of flowering plants and 42 species of pteridophytes have been identified, whereas about 400 specimens of flowering plants and 18 species of pteridophytes are yet to be determined. Nearly 200 specimens are unprocessed or in poor condition. Similarly, 47 species of bryophytes and 39species of lichens are identified, whereas 71 specimens of bryophytes and 20 specimens of lichens are still unidentified. Western Terai of Nepal is inhabited by several ethnic groups, but predominated by the Tharus. Ethnobotanical information on the local uses of the plants suggests that more than 200 species of vascular plants are used by the local communities for various purposes such as food, fodder, medicine, construction materials, etc. Moreover, 103 species are used for single purpose, whereas 28 species are used for multiple purpose. Research team:
Principal
Investigator: Dr. Krishna
K. Shrestha
Technical
Assistance
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2. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the Critical Bottlenecks and Corridors of Terai Arc Landscape-Nepal: Documentation, Utilisation, Trade and People's livelihood. The project was sponsored by WWF Nepal program. Executive Summary The Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), one of the important components of forest biodiversity, has been explored and assessed in some critical biological corridors and bottlenecks of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL)-Nepal. A research team of Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal visited four sites of TAL namely, Dobhan and Lamahi bottlenecks, Khata -Katarniyaghat and Basanta corridors during March 13-26, 2003 and May 25 - June 7, 2003. In order to assess the NTFPs resources of the corridors and bottlenecks, the household survey and group discussion through PRA and RRA methods with the Community Forest User Groups, forest plotting and resources mapping of all the selected community forests was done. Socio-economic information was also gathered to identify the socio-economic condition of the people. Data for occupation, alternative source of income, animal husbandry, livestock management, land-holdings have been incorporated for the socio-economic information to assess the livelihood of the people of the study site. Secondary information on previous work has been consulted through different literatures. The Team also interacted with the authorities like Executive members of all the selected community forests, District Forest Officers, Assistant District Forest Officers, Regional Director of MoFSC, Rangers, TAL-officials, Forest guards, and other stakeholders. Tharus are identified as the aboriginal people of the Terai region. They are found to be the dominant population in all study sites except in Dobhan of Palpa district, where Magar is the predominant ethnic group. Among the migrants' in new settlements areas, the number of Brahmin/Chhetri households were estimated to be larger in comparison to that of other hill migrants. Agriculture is recorded as the main occupation, and other sources of income are animal husbandry, and labour work. Few people are seen to earn from NTFPs to support their livelihood. Therefore, recommendations have been made in providing awareness on NTFPs values and its utilisation and market search for their income generation activities. In
Basanta corridor, five community forests of four VDC were visited.
Similarly, in Bardiya -
Katarniaghat
corridor, six community forests of three VDC were visited. In Lamahi
and Dobhan
bottlenecks,
three and two community forests were visited respectively. Plants
that are in use and in
trade
have been collected for herbarium preparation along with the
information on trade and
conservation
aspects of the traded species. Based on the survey and
information collected, about 269 plants species have been enlisted
as the NTFPs of the two bottlenecks and two corridors with its local
name, scientific name and families for the entire study site.
Livelihood of the people of the corridors and bottlenecks is much
integrated with that of available forest resources. Their dependency
on the green resources ranges from daily needs as fuel wood up to
the seasonal vegetables and fruits, medicinal plants, fibres,
fermenting material etc. have been identified and its uses have been
provided for all sites. For the quantitative analysis of the NTFPs in the community forests, frequency, density, basal area, IVI values, and species diversity have been calculated for all sites. As an example, Kusminiya community forest is the only well conditioned forest studied in Katarniyaghat corridor. The forest is composed of some important plant species like Murraya koenigii, Acacia rugata, A. catechu and Mallotus philippensis. The understorey is represented by Colebrookea oppositifolia, Murraya koenigii, Clerodendrum viscosum, whereas Eragrostis sp., Strobilanthes sp, Oxalis corniculata, fern, etc. composed the ground vegetation. The important NTFPs species like Acacia rugata does not shows the regeneration. The species richness is only 26, which is one of the lowest value in the whole TAL area. The diversity index is 2.33, 2.95 and 2.11 respectively for trees, shrubs and herbs. The possible diversity is 3.16, 3.32 and 2.80 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. Similar quantitative interpretation of NTFPs have been provided for all the community forests visited. The CFUGs have identified only few NTFPs as potential species, but on the basis of the field survey many species have been identified as potential NTFPs. Among them on the basis of availability, existing indigenous knowledge, economically important, market value and local people's interest three categories off NTFPs are made such as first, second and third priority species. Due to lack of proper collection technique and high market value the top prioritised species have been seriously degraded. Similarly, out of 269 plant species 33 plant species have been identified as the most potential NTFPs, under four categories. Information on botanical name, local names in Nepali, Tharu and Magar (Dobhan area) in Devnagari script, their abundance (in five grades), local uses, additional uses, trade value and trade part are given for each species. These species can easily contribute in the income generation of CFs, if they are timely managed and conserved. The second priority species includes species that are available in the community forests and little effort on conservation of these species can increase the population of NTFPs and contribute in the income generation. Species included in the third priority can easily be utilised for income generation by identifying simple techniques as well as little effort on conservation. For example in Basanta corridor, Piper longum and Asparagus racemosus is considered as top priority species. Calamus tenuis, Aegle marmelos and Acorus calamus are included in second priority species. Similarly, third priority species include Buchanania latifolia, Holarrhena pubescens, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellirica. The top priority NTFPs are mostly the medicinal plants, followed by fibre yielding plants and wild edible plants. In order to get benefit from all the species included in these three categories the local people should be made aware of its importance which could be fulfil by training/orientation/workshop and demonstration programs, that has been emphasised in the Action Plan. A separate document entitled “Action Plan for the Management of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the Critical Bottlenecks and Corridors of Terai Arc Landscape-Nepal” has been prepared. Executive SummaryThe Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are the important components of TAL biodiversity. These resources have a traditional phenomenon in Nepal, and utilisation of these products has been contributing much to the local livelihood. But the sustainable management through proper utilisation and marketing can substaincially support the income generation of the local communities and thus uplift the livelihood. A research team of Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal visited four sites of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) namely, Dovan and Lamahi bottlenecks, Khata-Katarniaghat and Basanta corridors during March 13 - 26, 2003 to gather general information on NTFP regarding their inventory, utilisation, and quantitative estimation. Second visit was carried out from May 25 - June 7, 2003, to explore and assess the aspiration of the people for the preparation of the Action Plan. First chapter in this Action Plan includes brief information regarding the socio-economic condition of all sites, brief information of the NTFPs and fact sheet of both the biological corridors and bottlenecks. Community forestry and NTFP management and conservation issues are also briefly discussed, followed by specific objectives for the Action Plan and short methodology. In order to assess the NTFPs resources and to know the aspiration of the local people, group discussion through PRA and APPA methods were followed with the Community Forest User Groups of all the selected community forests. Framework of the different activities was prepared and thoroughly discussed in Dovan, Jhumsa (Palpa), Lamahi, Bhalubang (Dang), Khata (Bardia), Bhajani, Pawera, Basanta and Masuriya communities (Kailali). After discussion in the communities, suggestions were incorporated, and that was followed by the discussion with District Forest Officers, Assistant District Forest Officers, Regional Director of MoFSC, Rangers, TAL-officials, Forest guards, and other stakeholders. Finally, all the relevant suggestions were incorporated to prepare the Action Plan. Action Plan for all four sites has been designed for five years, based on the information obtained during the field visits, is presented with its activities, outputs and budget. Main objective of the Action Plan is to uplift the livelihood of the people through the promotion of NTFPs. In this context, certain specific objectives have been identified for the Action Plan, which is discussed under the heading Targets and Activities. The specific objectives are: to improve socio-economic status and primary health care system; to document, utilise and conserve the agro-biodiversity, wetland biodiversity and forest biodiversity; to document NTFP resources, indigenous knowledge of utilisation; to uplift livelihood through collection, harvesting, value addition, as well as domestication and marketing of potential NTFPs; to incorporate research with development; and to resolve conservation issues and legislative problems. From the specified objectives certain major outputs have been expected such as inventory of NTFP resources (qualitative and quantitative estimation), flora and documentation of indigenous knowledge on utilisation and management of NTFPs; establishment of NTFP co-operative/enterprises with the facilities of storage, exhibition stalls, sales counter, model nursery, demonstration plots, library, and herbal clinic; establishment of NTFP based small-scale cottage industries (Jam, jelly, juice, pickle, etc.), for livelihood upliftment. Chapter two deals with logical framework matrix for NTFP management in TAL area, which highlights the overall picture of the Action Plan, such as goals of the project, specific objectives, measurable indicators, means of verification, important assumptions, outputs, avtivities and input/resources. The third chapter contains estimated budget for all four sites Activities have been priorities into three categories based on the importance of the activities rather than the urgency of the activities. Chapter four consists of conclusion and recommendation, followed by references and appendices. Major recommendations incorporated are: launching of awareness and capacity building programs to strengthen CBOs; systematic documentation (both qualitative and quantitative) of NTFP resources, sustainable utization of NTFPs for domestic use and trade; establishment of cottage industries and cooperative enterprise, focus on research activities for the conservation of commercially threatened species; and requirement of support and commitment of WWF Nepal Program, givernment and non-governmental organizations as well as local communities for the successful implementation of NTFP management project in the critical bottlenecks and corridors of TAL. For the better implementation and positive outputs, each program has to face several external as well internal factors, such as environmental, political, social, cultural, and financial. Implementation of programs identified in the Action plan can only take place if there is sufficient and consistent funding and commitment from the funding agencies, government sectors, and local communities. Finally, co-ordination, understanding and acceptation of community based participatory planning can only be successful, if the community understand, accept and practices.
Principal
Investigator:
Dr. Krishna K.
Shrestha
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With an overall objective of documenting indigenous knowledge, ESON aims to achieve its objectives by, promoting research activities by collecting different information from different ethnic groups and from different places. In order to fulfil this aim a research team have worked on different project, as:
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