Deutscher Tropentag, October 8 - 10, 2003 in Göttingen "Technological and Institutional Innovations for Sustainable Rural Development"

A Few Important High Altitude – High Valued Non-Timber Forest Products from Nepal

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institute of Forest Management, Germany

Abstract

Nepal is rich in green vegetation, herbs, and mineral wealth. The flora of Nepal consists of some 7,000 species of vascular plants of which 252 are endemic. There are more than 75 vegetation types spread across an area of 147,181 square kilometers. More than 700 species of medicinal plants grow wild in the country, majority of which are used in folk herbal remedies. More recently traded in relatively large quantities, NTFPs have had traditional food, medical and ritual uses in Nepalese communities. Every year, over fifteen thousand tons of NTFPs representing some 100 species are harvested from the wild for commercial and industrial purposes.

This poster provides the brief discription on distribution, ecology, habitat, uses, used parts, market information and conservation status of six high valued-high altitude NTFPs from the Nepal Himalaya. Which includes Rockfoil (Bergenia ciliata), a rhizomatus medicinal plants used for fever, kidney stone and fracture treatment; Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinensis), a most expensive fungus fetching upto 1000€ per kg dried product in the local market; Spikenard (Nardostachys grandiflora), an aromatic plant which has been processed at the local level enterprises; Chiraito (Swertia chirayita), an expensive medicinal herbs sold in local market and used as medicine for headache; Salep or Orchid (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), which is banned for collection, distribution and trade by the government of Nepal; Morel (Morchella conica), one expensive and well exported mushrooms; Indian rhubarb (Rheum australe), one of the species used for food and also being traded; Indian valerian (Valeriana jatamansii), an aromatic species which is processed by the locally based enterprises.

Keywords: Nepal, high value-high altitude NTFPs

Contact Address: Netra Bhandari, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institute of Forest Management, Büsgenweg 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: nbhandagwdg.de