Soil C sequestration through enhanced land use is a good strategy to mitigate the increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2. A study was conducted in Chhatiwan VDC of Makawanpur District to compare soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks of four main land use types such as forest, degraded forest, Khet and Bari land. Stratified random sampling method was used for collecting soil samples. Organic carbon content was determined by Walkley and Black method. Total SOC stock of different types of land followed the order: as Forest (110.0 t ha-1) > Bari (96.5 t ha-1) > Khet (86.8 t ha-1) > Degraded land (72.0 t ha-1). The SOC% declined with soil depths. The SOC% at 0–20 cm depth was highest (1.26 %) that recorded in the forest soils and lowest (0.37%) at 80- 100cm depth in degraded forest land. Thus, the SOC stock varied with land use systems and soil depths. The study suggests a need for appropriate land use strategy and sustainable soil management practices to improve SOC stock. SAARC J. Agri., 16(2): 13-23 (2018)

Community based forest management in Nepal has been widely acclaimed as the most successful approach for participatory forest management and its governance. So far, about 2,831,707 hectares of forests of Nepal have been managed under the regime of community-based forest management. During four decades of its implementation, the program has undergone a considerable shift from state dominated top-down approach to community-based participatory approach to forest management through organizational and policy reform in Nepal. The success of community-based forest management approach is described in terms of improving the supply of forest products, generating green employment, improving rural livelihood, empowering women, poor and disadvantage groups, rehabilitating degraded land and habitat and also increasing biodiversity. Yet, community-based forest management approach continues to face some organizational and policy challenges during its implementation, and this cannot be overlooked. Social exclusion, inequitable benefit sharing, elite dominance in decision making are the major challenges that are to be resolved in the years to come. Furthermore, this paper intends to illustrate the lessons learnt and the current challenges in making the decentralized forest governance more successful in the changing context.

Soil quality is the capacity of soil to sustain biological productivity and environmental quality. Assessment of soil quality in different land use systems is essential as inappropriate land use management can degrade and deteriorate its function and stability. In this regard this study was carried out to evaluate soil quality of different land use types in Chure region of central Nepal. Soil quality index (SQI) was determined on the basis of the soil physiochemical parameters. Soil properties like soil pH, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorous (AP) were significantly affected by land uses types. Forest soil had the highest soil quality index (0.82) followed by bari (0.66), khet (0.64), and degraded land (0.40). Of the soil properties studied, total nitrogen and soil organic matter had the determining role in making significant impacts in the SQI among the different land uses. Hence, the results of this study can be important tool for planner, policy makers, and scientific community to frame appropriate land use management strategy.

Estimation of total carbon stock in any forest is very important as it provides ecological as well as economic benefits through various environmental services. The study was carried out to quantify the vegetation and soil carbon stock of natural Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii) forest of in subtropical region of Makawanpur district, Nepal. The inventory of estimating above and below ground biomass of forest was carried out using stratified random sampling method Forest biomass was calculated using standard allometric models. Soil samples were taken from soil profile up to 40 cm depth at the interval of 20 cm. Walkey and Black method (1934) was used for measuring soil organic carbon. Total amount of carbon stock in Pinus roxburghii forest was 213.05 t/ha with above ground carbon stock 140. 56 t/ha, below ground carbon stock 27.14 t/ha and soil organic carbon 45.35 t/ha respectively. Total carbon stock in Pinus roxburghii forest was composed of 66% for above ground, 21% by the soil and 13% by below ground. The study concluded that forest types and soil play an important role on total carbon sequestration. Hence, the goal of reducing carbon sources and increasing the carbon sink can be achieved efficiently by protecting and conserving the carbon pools in existing forests ecosystem.

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is fast becoming a serious threat to the survival of many endangered species in the world. The lack of access to forest resources for the local community residing in the buffer zones of national parks has created conflict between the national parks, the people residing in these areas and wildlife. This study focused on to analyze the situation of human-wildlife interface of people living near the park. Direst field observation, questionnaire survey of households (n=88), on-site focal group discussions, and key informant interviews were used for data collection. The study revealed that Paddy was the primary crop accounting about 34% of the economic value of total production. Peoples in the study area perceived that crop depredation was the major problem caused by the wild animals. Among crops, the damage to Paddy was high. A total average damage of Paddy per year per household (HH) was 115.2 Kg. Economic value of average annual damage per year per HH accounted for NRs, 9211.4. About 70% respondents responded that the poor availability of food in the forest was the main problem. In case of measures to control HWC, most of them have applied different local technologies. Among them participatory method, noise making and scare row construction were the common. Most of the local people believed that, cases of the HWC was increasing and will increase in the future. Hence, promotion of income generating activities, alternative energy, and improved livelihood strategies can reduce the HWC indirectly through decreasing the dependency in forest resources. Conservation awareness program and people participation are other major aspects that should be considered to mitigate the human wildlife conflict.