Bio-diversity

Sindhupalchowk, a pioneering community forestry district of Nepal, comprises more than 50% of the land area under forest cover representing subtropical to alpine vegetation. The forest area also harbors unutlised or uncomercialised fibrous species along with the local communities having the indigenous knowledge and practice of utilizing these fibrous plants. Spinning of thread, cordage and weaving of coarse fabric, making of ropes are confined only to household use. On the other hand, flow of cheap synthetic goods of plastic and nylon into these rural areas have almost replaced the local products made from local resources and indigenous knowledge. The natural recourses of valuable indigenous fibre plants and indigenous practice are both in critical condition of extinction. Hence, to address this problem the project has aimed to improve livelihoods of indigenous community and environmental conservation through intensive management of indigenous knowledge based forestry and agro-forestry practices by identifying and registering indigenous knowledge on the management and utilization of fiber plants.

Nepal