Contact us
 |
[email protected] |
 |
3275638434 |
 |
 |
| Paper Publishing WeChat |
Useful Links
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Article
Author(s)
Menaka Panta Neupane, Kishor Prasad Bhatta and Suman Ghimire
Full-Text PDF
XML 1844 Views
DOI:10.17265/2161-6264/2017.03.006
Affiliation(s)
International Union for Conservation of Nature, Nepal Country Office, P.O. Box No. 3923, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal
ABSTRACT
Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered as an overlooked forest resources in Nepal, despite its rapid
expansion is considered as one of the main
drivers of Nepal’s forest degradation
and deforestation. In this study, stratified systematic sampling, with nested circular plots of 500 m2, was performed in Sindhupalchowk to
find out whether the removal of IAS contributes for an increase in plant
diversity. Interaction with more than 310
entrepreneurs was carried to investigate the economic benefits in terms of
income and employment of converting IAS into charcoal through pyrolysis in “bio-energy kilns”. The study showed a higher
Shannon-Weiner plant diversity index at regeneration level in IAS removed area
(2.43) than that in control (1.95). Similarly, the number of seedlings and
saplings was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the
treatment block than the number of trees
in the control one. Also, the pyrolysis of 7,500 million tons (MT) of IAS in bio-energy
kilns produced 1,500 MT of charcoal powder which generated a total additional
income of Nepali Rupees (NRs.) 18,900,000 to 1,050 poor and
disadvantaged people in 16 districts of Terai and Midhills. In spite of that, some policy hurdles,
such as charcoal transportation, were observed at the
operational level. It is suggested that the plant
diversity could be increased through the removal of IAS, and considerable economic benefits could be
achieved if charcoal is
substantially produced and utilized.
KEYWORDS
Invasive alien species, forest resources, livelihood, plant diversity, charcoal.
Cite this paper
References