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NACFP 4

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Summary:

In many high altitude forests the natural stock of NTFPs is decreasing because they have been over-harvested to supply national and international markets. This situation calls for the identification of approaches to sustainable management of the resource. This paper attempts to contribute to this by identifying and testing a practical technique for resource assessment. The methodology was tested in Bolde FUG of Sindhu Palchok and focuses on a number of naturally occurring NTFPs in the community forest: fibrous Argeli (Edgeworthia gardneri), Lokta (Daphne bholua and D. payraceae), Majitho (Rubia manjith) and Thulo Okhati (Astilbe rivularis).

A sampling intensity of 1% was applied and stratified sampling techniques were used to lay out sample plots on a map. Plot sizes of 10mx10m were then established in the forest. It was not practical to count and measure diameter, height and length of each stem or root (whichever was the useful part) of a particular species. Therefore plants were categorised as mature (harvesting age), immature and juvenile. Local people's knowledge on the best size for harvesting was utilised to determine the indicators for each class. Occular estimation was then applied to classify the plants. In addition 10 samples of each NTFP were collected to measure the green useful product and conversion tables were used to determine the dry weight. The time required to reach harvesting size for each species was determined by asking local collectors.

The results in the form of annual yield calculations for each NTFP are presented.