Abstract:

Several researches related to dendrochronological field are carried out in Nepal. Silvicultural characteristics,
distribution, associated species, climatic response of the species are very essential to understand the nature of species
before conducting dendrochronological research. The objective of this research is to assess the dendrochronological
potentiality of the major tree species so far studied in Nepal. For this, we have used Google engine to search published
articles through March 2020 and listed out the name of the species used so far for the dendrochronological studies
in Nepal. We were able to record the species Abies pindrow, Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus
torulosa, Larix potaninii, Picea smithiana, Pinus roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana, Rhodendendron campanulatum, Tsuga dumusa
and Ulmus wallichiana from the published research articles and review articles till March 2020. We have also accessed
why the dendrochronologist has chosen these species for their research in Nepal. It was found that most of them are
Himalayan conifers and have climatic signals with clear annual tree rings which can be easy to date with each other.

DOI:10. 35248/2168-9776.20.9.227

Authors: Deepak Gautam and Aarati Khatri

Abstract

Tourism sector, a major backbone in revenue generation in Nepal having an immense potentiality is hardly hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has suspended Visit Nepal Year 2020, with a theme, an experience of a life-time. This remarkable campaign is also a national development strategy in the tourism history of Nepal which aimed at attracting around 2 million foreigners from all over the world. This article is designed to explore about COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown impacts on tourism industries and Visit Nepal year 2020 Campaign. For these, secondary literature available in Google Scholar, Research Gate and, recently published newspapers were accessed. The result shows that the unprecedented and uncertain lockdown stuck millions of people in their home, lower the economic activities of different sectors of the tourism industry including hotels, homestays, travel and tours, impact on remittance, a collapse of small industries and suspension of mega projects and many more. In addition to this, this paper aims at showcasing a strong correlation between lockdown and tourism industry with perspective from Nepal Tourism Board, Academic practitioner, Tourism Entrepreneurs, Nepal government, ministries, Economist and Analyst to revise the protocols and safety standard of the tourism industry to massively flourish and revive amidst the pandemic and even in the post-pandemic environment.

DOI: 

https://doi.org/10.3126/gaze.v12i1.35680

Authors: Sunta Gautam, Aarati Khatri, Anju Upadhaya

ABSTRACT

Forest-based enterprises are the major source of income for both rural and urban areas and contribute to employment activities in developing countries like Nepal. Under forest-based enterprises, the timber-based forest enterprise such as sawmill and furniture enterprise are one of the important major forest-based enterprises in Nepal which has great potential for generating high revenue and employment opportunities. The COVID-19 has led to dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems, and the economy of the world. While COVID-19 is taking hard toll on national economy, forest-based enterprises have not been exception. As being one of the important economic contributors of the country it is important to assess how COVID-19 has impacted on timber-based enterprises and their employment opportunities. For this purpose, questionnaire survey was conducted with 38 enterprises (n=38) and key informant interview were conducted with 10 (N=10) key informants. The collected qualitative and quantitative data be analyzed using computer packages software like- Ms-Excel, SPSS. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard error as well as inferential statistics such as t-test for comparison study and chi-square test were used to measure the association on the extent of pandemic effect with respect to different. The result shows that due to complete as well as partial lockdown imposed in order to bid to fight against spread of pandemic since Chaitra, 2076 which affected the last four month of FY 2076/77 (Chaitra-Asar), the COVID-19 pandemic had affected on both demand and supply of timber, income of sawmill and furniture enterprises where the demand-supply and income declined by more than 30% in FY 2076/77 in compare to past two FY (2074/75 and 2075/76). 145 workers completely loss their job during lockdown and still after the seven months of end of lockdown 61 workers loss their job in which informal workers were more affected as out of 145 workers, 137 were informal workers while out of 61 workers, 58 were informal workers. The pandemic had also affected on salary of employee and availability of labour to enterprises. The local government must focus on providing training opportunities to local worker to make them capable. The enterprises should be prepared for future disruptions and adapt to new circumstances by making strong strategies from past experience.

Keywords: impacts, COVID-19 , timber-based enterprises, income, demand-supply, labor

For full report: Gautam, S., & Khatri, A. (2021).

Aarati Khatri, Anju Upadhaya, Sunta Gautam

Abstract:
Timber is one of the primary products of the forest, and it is a key contributor to Nepal’s rural life.
Forest-based enterprises like furniture enterprises are a better option to mobilize natural resources,
generate huge employment opportunities and reduce poverty as they alone contribute roughly
NRs 5,000 million to the government annually. This study is about furniture enterprises in
Kathmandu district to assess the status, problems, and prospects of timber-based forest enterprises
in the private sector. There was direct observation, key informant interviews (n = 10), an
enterprise survey (n = 60), and an online questionnaire survey. Relevant articles, journals,
published and unpublished reports were reviewed for secondary data collection. The collected
qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed using computer software packages like Ms-Excel
and SPSS. The major prospects assessed through this research are some technical, institutional,
and policy level strategies and provisions being enterprise-friendly, enterprises creating millions
of employment opportunities, contributing directly to economic development via tax, revenues,
and remittances, the opportunity to extend private forestry, utilization of overstocked and matured
trees, etc. Similarly, institutional barriers were found, like inefficient institutional mechanisms,
conflict regarding tenure and power rights, lengthy registration process of the enterprises, lack of
transparency and accountability in the institutional mechanism, and an irrational system of fixing
royalties and prices, etc. Also, technical barriers like shortage of new cross-cutting technology
and technicians, inadequate knowledge of enterprise development, and no insurance policy for
technicians’ ergonomy were found. Finally, policy barriers like unstable political scenarios,
nearly zero policies related to providing loans for enterprise development, non-involvement of the
private sector in policy level dialogues, tedious policies and bureaucratic hurdles, inconsistency in
government policies and weak coordination were assessed. So, to encompass all private
enterprises under business ethics, the private sector must first focus on organizational strength and
institutional reformation. Also, emphasizing the private forestry sector’s development, supporting
the importation of new or advanced technologies and shifting the enterprise model from
traditional to modern models are highly recommended. There is a dire need to address key policy
bottlenecks, and policy revisions should be pursued on a continuous basis to address the barriers
that hinder the operation of timber-based enterprises like furniture enterprises. Keywords:
furniture enterprises, timber-based enterprises, institutional barriers, policy barriers, technical
barriers, private sector.

For full thesis report:Aarati thesis Report

Abstract

This article examines the role of exposure visits in fostering capacity building and knowledge exchange among forest-dependent communities in Nepal. Exposure visits, facilitated under the “Economic Empowerment of Women through Forest Solutions (EEWFS)” and “Enhancing Livelihoods from Improved Forest Management in Nepal (EnLiFT)” projects, served as a practical platform for participants to learn sustainable forest management practices and their socio-economic applications.

The study highlights the effectiveness of these visits in enhancing participants’ understanding of improved forest governance, sustainable resource utilization, and community mobilization strategies. Key outcomes included the replication of best practices observed during the visits, such as the establishment of income-generating activities and participatory decision-making processes. These experiences also empowered marginalized groups, especially women, to engage actively in forest-related governance and take leadership roles within their communities.

Challenges such as logistical constraints, cultural differences, and varying levels of literacy among participants were identified. However, the visits proved valuable in bridging gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering a sense of collaboration, and building networks among diverse communities.

The article concludes that exposure visits are a crucial tool for promoting experiential learning and cross-community collaboration. To maximize their impact, future initiatives should emphasize inclusive participation, long-term mentorship, and integration with broader policy frameworks to ensure the sustainability of learned practices.

More about the article: Enhancing Women’s Entrepreneurship Through Exposure Visits

ForestAction Nepal

Abstract

This article explores the intersection of sustainable forest management and the role of women in empowering communities through technology. It highlights the importance of integrating modern technological solutions in forest-based industries to promote women’s participation and improve their socio-economic status. The paper emphasizes the transformative potential of technology in bridging gender gaps in the forest landscapes, showcasing how it enables women to access resources, gain skills, and participate in decision-making processes. Through a combination of empirical studies and theoretical insights, the article advocates for gender-sensitive policies and practices that foster women’s involvement in environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and community development. It also underscores the challenges faced by women in these areas and proposes strategies to overcome these barriers, with a focus on enhancing education, access to digital tools, and the creation of supportive networks. The paper concludes by stressing the need for collaborative efforts between governments, non-governmental organizations, and local communities to create sustainable and equitable opportunities for women in the forest sector, ultimately contributing to broader environmental and social sustainability goals.

For full articles: Gender Friendly Technology: A Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development

Abstract
Approximately 80 per cent of Nepal’s rural population, predominantly women, rely on NonTimber Forest Products (NTFPs) for their livelihoods. Despite ample studies on NTFPs, their
role in economically empowering women is scant. Taking the case from four community forests
in Nawalparasi, this paper examines how NTFPs such as the leaves of Shorea robusta (Sal) and
Phoenix loureiroi Kunth (Thakal) are evident means to empower women. To understand how the
process empowered women, the researchers emphasise their firsthand observations to serve as
valuable data, complemented by key informant interviews (n=55), workshops (n=2), and formal
and informal observations.. The results show that the annual harvestable yield of Sal leaves (3 CFs)
and Thakal leaves are 207020.75 kg and 5089.35 kg respectively. This would create 448565 days
of green employment opportunities for marginalised women and men. The research concludes
that involving women in the inventory process aids in enhanced technical forestry knowledge,
increased control over access to resources, attitude change, and shifts in power relations Hence,
incorporating NTFPs in community forest operational plans and upscaling is recommended to
promote economic, technical, and socio-cultural empowerment for both women and men.
Keywords: Inventory, Operational plans Sal and Thakal Leaves, Green jobs

Full article: Green Enterprises: A pathway to Women’s Economic Empowerment