This paper deals with the study of vegetation analysis of tree species in Ganesh and Ramnagar community forests (CF) of the Terai region. For the study, altogether 63 concentric sample plots (each plot of 500 m 2 ) were laid using systematic sampling with a sampling intensity of 0.5%. A total of 967 individual trees representing 16 different tree species were identified. Both CF was dominated by monospecies such as Mallotus philippensis (Ganesh CF) and Shorea robusta (Ramnagar CF) based on the Importance Value Index (I.V.I). Likewise, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index was higher in Ganesh CF whereas the dominance index was low. Similarly, the index of evenness and richness was also slightly higher in Ganesh CF than Ramnagar CF. The study provided information about the structure, composition, and dominance of tree species which is essential for conservation and sustainable management of community forests. Therefore, this article serves as an example of establishing community forests so as to initiate the conservation and preservation of local biodiversity.
Soil erosion is a major concern for the environment and natural resources leading to a serious threat to agricultural productivity and one of the major causes of land degradation in the mid-hills region of Nepal. An accurate assessment of soil erosion is needed to reduce the problem of soil loss in highly fragile mountainous areas. The present study aimed to assess spatial soil loss rate and identified risk areas and their perceived impact on agricultural productivity by using the Revised Morgan–Morgan–Finney (RMMF) model and social survey in the Rangun watershed of Dadeldhura district, Nepal. Soil erosion was assessed by using data on soil, digital elevation model, rainfall, land use, and land cover visually interpreted from multitemporal satellite images, and ILWIS 3.3 academic software was used to perform the model. A household questionnaire survey (n = 120) and focus group discussion (n = 2) in identified risk areas were carried out to understand the people’s perception towards soil erosion and its impact on agricultural productivity. The predicted average soil erosions from the forest, agriculture, and barren land were 2.7 t ha−1 yr−1, 53.73 t ha−1 yr−1, and 462.59 t ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The erosion risk area under very low to low, moderate to moderately high, and high to very high covers 92.32%, 4.96%, and 2.73%, respectively. It indicates that the rate of soil erosion was lower in forest areas, whereas it was higher in the barren land. The cropped area of the watershed has been reduced by 2.96 ha−1 yr−1, and productivity has been decreased by 0.238 t ha−1 yr−1. The impacts such as removal of topsoil (weighted mean = 4.19) and gully formation (weighted mean = 3.56) were the highest perceived factors causing productivity decline due to erosion. People perceived the impact of erosion in agricultural productivity differently ( ∗ significant at P ≤ 0.05 ). The study concluded that, comparatively, barren and agricultural lands seem more susceptible to erosion, so the long-term conservation and management investment in susceptible areas for restoration, protection, and socioeconomic support contribute significantly to land rehabilitation in the Rangun watershed.
Regeneration patterns of species population can address climate change by adaptive evolution or by migrating association to survival in their favorable climate and finally decide the particular forest future. This research examined the status of regeneration and carbon sequestration potential in tropical Sal (Shorea robusta) forest of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. For the study, a total of 63 concentric sample plots were investigated by using systematic sampling with 0.5% sampling intensity. Regeneration status of forest was estimated by calculating the density of each species in each developmental phase. The above-ground carbon stock of trees species were estimated using allometric equations. The studied forests had good regeneration status and Shorea robusta was the dominant species in terms of regeneration and carbon stock. Ramnagar community forest had greater number of seedling, sapling and tree than that of the Ganesh community forest. Reverse J-shaped population curves were recorded at both the study sites. This study provided information about the regeneration status, structure, composition and carbon sequestration potential of tree species which is very necessary for conservation and sustainable management of community forests. Studies indicate that community management has increased the carbon stock of forests and also has promoted the productivity of forests by altering the structure and composition of the community forests.
This article is based on a study carried out in buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP), which lies in Kanchanpur district of Nepal. It is aimed to assess nature and extent of crop damages, livestock depredation and human casualties, and to identify local people's attitude towards wildlife conservation and management. Primary data was collected through preliminary field visit, questionnaire survey of households, key informant interviews, focus group discussion and direct field observation. Paddy was major crop damaged by wild animals, followed by wheat and maize. Wild boar followed by elephant and deer were found as the most problematic animals causing crop damage, while common leopard was found as the major culprit for livestock depredation. The proximity to the national park was found determining factor to the extent of damage caused by the wild animals. People’s attitude towards wildlife conservation was found to be positive; however, more than 85% of respondents showed dissatisfaction towards park authorities’ effort for conflict management. Active participation of local people in conservation and awareness program can play a vital role to reduce and mitigate the human wildlife conflict at community level.
Himalayan mountains have rich biodiversity and species endemism. Simultaneously, critical level of socio-economic vulnerability and poverty presents significant potential for Community Based Conservation (CBC) practices aiming to provide both environmental and social benefits. Community based anti-poaching operation is poorly documented that hinders in assessing CBC practices in the field. To assess the effectiveness of Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBAPU) in and around of Beeshazari lake of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Unemployment and the consequent poverty were found as the key reason of poaching and other illegal activities. Patrolling, surveillance and information gathering against illegal activities, rescue of wildlife and awareness raising activities were the major activities of CBAPU, which has significantly contributed to wildlife conservation. Inadequate financial resource was found to be the greatest hindrance for anti-poaching operation in an organized and effective way.
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