2828_Forestry_Conference book for print

INTERNATIONAL GERMAN ALUMNI
SUMMER SCHOOL NEPAL
Forestry in Nepal – Role of Community Forestry and
REDD+ Programs in Sustainable Development
6-13 March, 2016
Park Village Hotel and Resort
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1INTERNATIONAL GERMAN ALUMNI SUMMER SCHOOL NEPAL
Forewords
Göttingen, 24.02.2016
Dear German Alumni and all delegates,
The International German Alumni Summer School is an interdisciplinary program that aims to
promote cooperation between German Alumni from developing countries in the tropics and
German Universities, thereby enhancing the capacity building of alumni. This program
provides a platform to researchers, academicians, practitioners and entrepreneurs to share
their knowledge and experiences from diverse disciplines ranging from natural and social
sciences to humanities. The main working theme of this summer school is focused on forestry
development in Nepal along with poverty alleviation in the context of natural disasters like
earthquakes, unsustainable use of natural resources, security and conservation of local nature
and cultural heritage of the country. The participatory role of Nepal in community forestry and
REDD+ programs will be the key highlight for discussion during this summer school.
Multiplication function of the Summer School will be ensured through the contribution of
representatives from science, economics, political institutions including the Ministry
representatives (e.g. Forests and Soil Conservation) and NGOs like the WWF, and ICIMOD
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development). This summer school will therefore
provide an opportunity to researchers, academia and business practitioners to interact in a
common platform and share their expertise and practical development experiences on new
challenges and emerging issues.
This Summer School is also an appropriate networking forum for the German alumni from
Asian countries who are professionally active in various disciplines like forestry, geography,
biology, sociology, and agriculture, and committed towards furthering education, training and
research. It is essential to promote the capacity building of the alumni for underlining the
importance of biodiversity, forest ecosystem functions and services, the role of international,
national and community based programs for maintenance of biodiversity, and sustainable
forestry. Therefore, strengthening some of the active German Alumni networks like German
Alumni International Biodiversity Network (GAInBiNet), GAForN (German Alumni Forestry
Network), GAFooN (German Alumni Food Network), and German Iranian Alumni Network
(GIAN) will be another of our important objectives. We will further incorporate the German
Alumni from Nepal into these networks. Another significant outcome of this summer school
will be the establishment of a prospective collaboration between the Georg-August University
of Göttingen and the Kathmandu Forestry College (KAFCOL) and Tribhuvan University in
Kathmandu. The invited alumni will represent several Asian countries like China, India, Sri

2 INTERNATIONAL GERMAN ALUMNI SUMMER SCHOOL NEPAL
Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Iran and the host country Nepal. This
event will provide them the opportunity for collaboration with both of the above mentioned
Institutes in Nepal and the University of Göttingen in Germany.
The Organizing Committee of the International German Alumni Summer School from the
University of Göttingen is extending their heartiest welcome to all Alumni and invited delegates
to this program and also expressing their sincere words of gratitude to the local host institution
in Nepal, the KAFCOL team for lending their cooperation and support in the successful hosting
of this program.
We are wishing all of us a very fruitful and enlightening time at the summer school in
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Prof. Renate Bürger-Arndt,
Prof. Martin Kappas,
Dr. Jolanta Slowik, Dr. Kamini Barua and Dr. Margaretha Pangau-Adam

Forewords
Nepal is rich in biological diversity and forest resources due mainly to the country’s unique
geographic position and dramatic changes in elevation along the relatively short (150-250 km)
north-south transect and associated high variability in the physiographic and climatic
conditions. The geographic diversity ranges from alluvial plains in the tropical lowlands to very
rugged and permanently snow and ice covered Himalayan Mountains.The country’s forest
ecosystems can be categorized into ten major groups that range from tropical and subtropical
broadleaved forests in the southto temperate coniferous and subalpine and alpine scrub at
the Himalayan highlands.
Nepal is proud to the achievements that the country has made in conserving its forests and
associated biodiversity through community based management of forests and protected areas
over the last few decades, which also have direct positive contribution to the local livelihoods,
poverty alleviation, and reduction of natural disasters. However, multiple factors still pose
serious threats and challenges to the country’s forest resources and biodiversity. Forest loss
and degradation remains a major problem in some parts of the country, particularly in the Tarai
lowlands and adjoining Chure hills. Climate change, whose effects are not clearly known, is
speculated to have profound impacts in the future, particularly in the mountains.
Government of Nepal has been promoting REDD+ since 2008 as a mechanism to control
forest loss and degradation. The REDD+ Readiness process that started in 2008 with financial
support of the World Bank has led to establishment of necessary institutional entities, including
an Apex Body, REDD Working Group, and REDD Forestry and Climate Change Cell in the
Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation. REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal has been
developed, and development of National REDD+ Strategy is at its final stage. There have also
been some initiatives to implement REDD+ in the field.
In the above context, this Summer School with the theme ‘Forestry in Nepal: role of community
forestry and REDD+ program in sustainable development’, is highly relevant for Nepal. The
representation of several Asian countries like China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Iran and Nepal in the Summer School will provide the participants
an opportunity for sharing experiences and practices related to REDD+ and other relevant
subjects for mutual benefits.
Kathmandu Forestry College is proud to co-host the Summer School together with the Georg-
August University of Göttingen, Germany. We thank the Georg-August University of Göttingen
for this collaboration with us, and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) for funding
the program and being an important bridge of friendship, knowledge and education between
Nepal and Germany. Finally, we extend our heartiest welcome to all the participating alumni
and invited delegates to this program.
Ambika P. Gautam, Ph.D., Professor and Principal
Jhamak B. Karki, Ph.D., Vice-Principal
Kathmandu Forestry College, Nepal
March 2016

Tentative Program of the Summer School - 6th to 13th of March, 2016
Day 1
6th
March 2016
Arrival of the participants (international and non-local Alumni from Nepal)
Day 2
7th
March 2016
08.30 – 09.00
09:00 – 11:00
 Official registration of delegates
 Official Opening Ceremony with Welcome addresses by the
invited guests
Master of ceremony/Moderator : Dr. Jhamak B. Karki, Vice-Principal,
Chair of inaugural session: Prof. Chiranjibi P.Upadhyay, Dean, Institute of
Forestry, Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal.
Chief Guest: Secretary, Dr.Uday Chandra Thakur, Ministry of Forests and Soil
Conservation (MoFSC), Government of Nepal (GoN).
Invited Guests
 Secretary,Dr.Krishna C.Poudel, Ministry of Livestock Development
(MoLD), Government of Nepal (GoN), and
 Mathias Meyer, Ambassador of Germany for Nepal
 Other guests
Welcome Address:
 Prof. Dr. Ambika P Gautam, Principal, Kathmandu Forestry
College (KAFCOL)
Opening Remarks
 Prof. Renate Bürger-Arndt, Coordinator of German Alumni
Summer School,Georg-August University of Göttingen, Germany
 Dr. Roshan Shrestha, President – Nepal-German Academic
Association
 National Trust for Nature Conservation
 WWF Nepal – Santosh Mani Nepal
 Paul Rukard, Deputy Country Director , GIZ Nepal
 Mathias Meyer, Ambassador of Germany for Nepal
 Dr.Krishna C.Poudel, Secretary, Ministry of Livestock
Development, Government of Nepal
 Chief Guest, Dr.Uday Chandra Thakur, Secretary Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), Government of Nepal (GoN).
 Chairperson’s remarks and closing of the opening ceremony
 Self introduction of German Alumni

11:00 -11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 - 13.15
11:15 – 12:15
12:15 – 13:15
13:15 – 14:15
14:15 – 16.15
14.15 – 15.15
15.15 – 16.15
16.15 – 16.30
16.30 – 17.30
16.30 – 17.30
18.30 onwards
Keynote Talks
Plenary session 1 – Nature Conservation, Forestry – role of education and
research
Moderator – Prof. Krister Andersson
 Nature Conservation strategies in the face of global changes and
multiple challenges
Dr. J. Slowik, Johann-Friederich Blumenbach Institute (Dept. of Conservation
Biology), University of Göttingen, Germany
 Building Community and Ecosystem Resilience through Forestry: Role
of Education, Research and Capacity Building
Dr.Madhav B.Karki (Co-Chair, Regional Assessment of Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services, Asia-Pacific)
Lunch
Plenary session 2- Remote sensing, Forestry and ecosystem services
assessment
Moderator : Dr. Ambika P Gautam
Remote sensing of forest resources
 Prof. Martin Kappas
Institute of Geography (Dept. of Cartography, GIS & Remote Sensing),
University of Göttingen, Germany
 The Matrix Approach-Ready for the Inter- and
Transdisciplinary Implementation of Ecosystem Services
Assessment on the Landscape Scale
Prof. Renate Bürger – Arndt
Department of Nature Conservation & Landscape Management, University of
Göttingen, Germany
Coffee Break
Plenary session 3 - Community Forestry and social environment
Moderator : Prof. Renate Bürger-Arndt
 Can Community-Forestry Programs Help Both the Forest and it’s
Users? Sorting out the Institutional Conditions for Social-
Environmental Synergy
Prof. Krister Anderson, University of Colorado, USA
Official Welcome Dinner

Day 3
8th
March, 2016
Presentations by German Alumni, and representatives of Government
Agencies and Research Institutes
08:30 - 10:00
08.30 – 09.00
09.00 – 09.30
09.30 –10.00
10.00 -10.15
10.15 – 12.00
10.15 - 10.45
10:45 – 11.15
11.15 – 12.45
11.15 – 11.45
11.45 – 12.15
12.15 – 12.45
Plenary session 4 - Close to Nature Forestry and sustainable development
Moderator – Dr. Martin Kappas
 Rehabilitation of degraded forests and lessons learnt: A case study
from India
Dhirendra Bhargava, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests,
Indian Ministry of Environment & Forests
 Sustainability of upper catchment forestry areas in ancient irrigation
cascade ecosystem in Dry zone of Sri Lanka
Dr. Ranjana U.K.Piyadasa, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography,
University of Colombo
 Relation between Community Forest management and
Biodiversity Conservation
Smita Das, Forest Officer, Regional Forest Training Centre, Ministry of Soil &
Forest Conservation, Surkhet district
Coffee Break
Session 5 – Close to Nature Forestry and sustainable development
Moderator – Dr. Jolanta Slowik
 Forest and nature conservation, land use and resource utilization,
and water management in north Iran
Prof.Emilia Nercissians, Department of Social Sciences, University of Tehran
 Community based measures to address the drivers of deforestation
and forest degradation in Nepal
Dev Raj Gautam, CARE-Nepal
Plenary session 6 – Protected areas , Biodiversity and local livelihoods
Moderator – Prof. Renate Bürger-Arndt
 Management of biodiversity and ecosystems for human well being:
Efforts, achievements and challenges (Nepal and Asia-Pacific)

Dr. Ambika P. Gautam, KAFCOL
 The construction of Naturalness Assessment Index System of
Mountainuous National Parks in China
Prof. Zhang Deshun, Department of landscape study, Tongji University,
Shanghai
 Conservation Awareness on Community Use Zone (CUZ) by
Local Communities in the Upland Areas of Mount Kinabalu and
Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Dr. Andy Russel Mojiol, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
12.45 – 13.45 Lunch Break
13.45 – 16.00
13.45 –14.15
14.15 – 14.45
14:45 – 15.15
Plenary session 7 – Local knowledge systems and livelihoods
Moderator – Prof. Krister Anderson
 Integration of medicinal and aromatic plants in forestry to reduce
emission of green house gases, conserve forests and enhance
sustainable income of tribal people at Indo-Nepal border
Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CIMAP (Indian Government
undertaking)
 Nepalese Socio-Culture Use of Plants and its Products: In
Context to Newar Community of Kathmandu Valley
Dr.Nirmala Joshi, Scientific officer, Department of Plant Resources.
 Experience sharing in introducing tree crops for nutrition security,
aid organic farming and reduce drudgery of farm women under
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna in Tarai region of India
Dr. Ram Chaudhary, Chairman
Participatory Rural Development Foundation (NGO), India

15.15 – 15.30
15.30 – 16.00
Coffee Break
 Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Anti- inflammatory
Properties of “Longevity Spinach” (Gynura procumbens Lour.)
Ethanolic Leaf Extract
Prof. Marie M. Sandoval, University Coordinator Eco-waste Management
Program, Benguet State University, the Phillipines
16.00 – 18.30 Local tour to places of historic interest
19.00 onwards Dinner and open evening
Day 4
9th
March 2016
Presentations by German Alumni
08:30 - 10:00
08.30 – 09.00
09.00 – 09.30
09.30 – 10.00
10.00- 10.15
10.15 – 12.15
10.15 – 10.45
Plenary session 8- Climate change, Land-use systems and natural resources
management
Moderator – Prof. Martin Kappas (University of Göttingen)
 Policy coherent and interplay between forest, biodiversity and climate
policies for climate change adaptation in Nepal
Ms. Sunita Ranabhat, Policy Analyst, ICIMOD-Nepal
 The land cover changes and natural resource management
issues in mountainous region of the central Viet Nam.
Dr. Man Quang Huy, Faculty of Geography,Vietnam National University
 Advancing Understanding of the Natural Forest Carbon Stock
Enhancement as part of REDD+ in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam
Dr. Nguyen Thi Chien, Senior Natural Resources/REDD+ Advisor
The Netherland Development Organisation, SNV, Hanoi Vietnam
Coffee Break
Plenary session 9 – Ecotourism, ecosystem functions and services,
conservation and human-animal conflict

Moderator – Dr. Jolanta Slowik
 Birding tourism at Kaziranga National Park, Assam (Northeast
India) - ecotourism contributing to conservation
Dr. Kamini Barua, University of Göttingen, Germany
Co-Partner – Agoratoli Ecotourism Initiative, Kaziranga National Park, Assam,
India
10.45 – 11.15
11.15 -11.45
11.45 – 12.15
12.15 – 13.15
 Restoring Lake Toba ecosystem
Dr. Erika Pardede, Universitas HKBP Nommensen (UHN) – Medan, Indonesia
 Consequences of forest disturbance on frugivores and seed dispersal in
tropical rainforest, Indonesia
Dr.Margaretha Pangau-Adam, university of Göttingen, Germany
 Review of Wildlife Human Conflict in Kathmandu Valley
Utsab Thapa, Forest officer, District Forest office, Kathmandu
Lunch
13:15 - 16:00
13.15 – 13.45
13.45 – 14.15
14.15 – 14.30
14.30 – 15.00
15.00 – 15.30
15.45
Plenery Session 10 - REDD+ and Community Forestry in Nepal
Moderator – Dr.Ambika Gautam, KAFCOL
 Policy and programs on REDD and community forestry in Nepal
Dr.Narendra Chand, REDD Implementation Center, Miistry of Forests and Soil
Conservation, Government of Nepal
 Grassroots capacity development in REDD+: Learning from the
Ground
Dr. Bishnu Hari Poudyal, Country Programme Coordinator, Regional
Community Forestry Training Center, Nepal
Coffee Break
 "R-Package Assessment of Nepal's REDD+ Preparedness"
Dr. Rajendra K.C
 Lessons from REDD Piloting
Seema Karki and Bhaskar S Karky, International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD)
Departure to field excursion site at Sauraha, Chitwan National Park

21.30
Dinner and overnight stay at Sauraha, Hotel Maruni
Day 5
10th
March, 2016
06:00 - 07:00
07:00 - 08:00
08:00-10:00
10:00-14 :00
14:00- 15:00
15:00-17:00
17:00-18:00
18:00-18:30
18.30-20:30
20:30 onwards
Field Excursion-Chitwan National Park-Sauraha and Kasara
Bird watching
Breakfast
Elephant ride/Elephant breeding center visit
Jungle Drive-Gharial and vulture conservation breeding centers, Kasara
Museum, Kasara-Tamortal round and return
Lunch
Elephant ride/Elephant breeding center visit
Biodiversity Conservation Centers-elephant free chain and Sauraha’s elephant
stable and back to hotel
Tea/cookies
Documentaries on CNP /Presentation/interaction/s with Terai Arc Landscape,
National Trust for Nature Conservation-Biodiversity Conservation Center and
National Park officials
Dinner
Day 6
11th
March, 2016
06:00 - 07:00
07:00 - 08:00
08:00- 15:30
15:30 - 16:00
16:00-17:00
17:00-18:00
18:00-18:30
18:30-:20:00
20:00 onwards
Field Excursion-Kayerkhola and Sauraha, CNP
Morning activity 6-730 by hotel (bird watching/village walk in Sauraha)
Breakfast
Guided tour of the Kayer khola including pack lunch and Back (one hour to reach
side and 1 hour to back-Field program to be confirmed with District Forest Office
Chitwan on exact forest, meeting with representatives of 16 committee forestry
users Network
Tea/coffee in Hotel Sauraha
BCC biodiversity information center
Free time to Sauraha-Thamel walk
Tea/cookies
Cultural program and slide show at Hotel
Dinner
Day 7
12th
March 2016
06:00 - 12:00
12.00 – 13.00
1Forum Discussion and Summarization of the Summer School
activities
Tea and Travel to Kathmandu (Packed Breakfast on the way to
be eaten after Mungling-crossing the road block area)
Lunch at Park village & resort, Budanilkantha, Kathmandu

13.00 – 15.00
15.00 – 15.15
15.15 – 15.30
Summarization of the activities of the summer school with
potential perspectives for future research collaborations e.g
REDD+, community /ecological /local knowledge systems
Moderators – Prof. Renate Bürger-Arndt and Dr. J.B. KarkiCoffee
break
Brief information on German Alumni networking
15.30 – 16.00
16.00 – 16.15
16.15 – 16.45
16.45-19.00
19.00
Evaluation of the Summer School for participants through questionnaire
survey
Closing remarks by the Coordinator of the German Alumni Summer
School and Principal, KAFCOL
Awarding of certificates to participants
Free time
Closing Dinner
Day 8
13th
of March,
2016
Departure of delegates

Abstract arranged as per program schedule
Nature Conservation strategies in the face of global changes and multiply
challenges
Dr. Jolanta Slowik
Abstract
Nature conservation is required to look after new solutions by ongoing escalation of global
change. Climate change, human population growth, and as well land use changes as land
grabbing are driving biodiversity loss. According to some scientists like Paul Crutzen, Eugene
Stoermer and Jan Zalasiewicz, the mankind is moving towards the new geological epoch so
called Anthropocene. Since the industrial revolution in 1750 humans have grown into a global
force changing their environment significantly, and the planet is now dominated by human
activities (Jan Zalasiewicz, Mark Williams, Will Steffen, Paul Crutzen, 2010). About two
hundred million hectares of forest and 11 million hectares of grassland in developing countries
were converted to agriculture between 1960 and 1980b (Holgate et al., 1982). The proclaimed
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 till yet did not stop rate of biodiversity loss
because the main pressures on biodiversity are persistent or even intensifying. Many unique
and threatened species have lost already the greater areas of their habitat, and are protected
than ever, on only a tiny percent of their original range. The Paris climate change agreement
is critical for people and it is critical for biodiversity, said Edward Perry, the Global Climate
Change Policy Coordinator at BirdLife International. Despite of all obstacles, conservation
biology as a young science is not only dealing with the investigations of human impact on
biological diversity but as well is developing the practical approaches in order to stop the
extinction of species. One of the actual recommended strategies in nature conservation is so
called community based approach. My personal experiences with such programs in Africa,
Asia and Central Amerika demonstrate that community based nature conservation is not the
panacea for success. Multiply problems need multiply solutions, patient and clever political
decisions.

Building Community and Ecosystem Resilience through Forestry: Role of Capacity
Building and Knowledge Management'
Madhav Karki, Ph.D.1
Forest ecosystem and biodiversity resources provide critical livelihood support to majority of
people of Nepal. Nepal’s forestry sector supplies more than 70% energy, 40% animal feed,
and provides 200,000 full time jobs to Nepalese people. It contributes more than 5% to national
economy and its share in country’s export value is close to 10%. However, these values are
under serious threat due to multiple and complex drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation. Land use change and forest conversion to other land uses (mainly agriculture),
unsustainable harvesting of forest products, uncontrolled grazing, pest and disease outbreaks,
invasive species and wild fires are the most prominent direct drivers. Among the underlying
drivers poor government policies and their implementation, strong market forces, poverty and
food insecurity, unclear or insecure land and forest ecosystem services tenure influence
deforestation and forest degradation. Climate change is a new driver that is exerting additional
stress on forests that pose risk to both the ecosystem integrity and productivity of forests of
Nepal.
In order to protect Nepal’s valuable forest resources from these old and new drivers, one of
the most holistic and cost effective measures is building resilience for adaptation and
mitigation of society and ecosystems through sustainable forest management (SFM).
Resilience is the ability to cope with climatic and non-climatic stress and the dynamic capacity
to recover from the effects of natural and human induced disturbances. Building resilience in
Nepal’s forestry sector requires local situation specific and ecosystem based forest
management – both in community and government forests. This will require enhancement of
adaptive capacity of vulnerable people who depend on forests as well as development of
synthesised and holistic knowledge systems that integrates both traditional and modern
knowledge systems. In order to provide adequate scientific, technical, indigenous and local
knowledge and expertise, comprehensive capacity building programme for individual,
institutions and systems will be necessary. Also required will be enabling policy and legal
framework, responsive and good forest governance and multi-sectoral involvement that can
support sustainable forest management (SFM) in a coordinated, coherent and continuous
manner.
1 Executive Director, CGED-Nepal; Co-Chair, IPBES Regional Assessment of Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
in Asia Pacific Region; South Asia Chair, IUCN/Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM); and IPBES
Task Force member on Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK)

However, currently Nepalese forestry institutions suffer from both knowledge and capacity
gaps since the institutions and their efforts are scattered, fragmented and are neither
comprehensive nor continuous. Wide gaps exist in areas including adaptive conservation,
management and use of forests to reduce risk and build resilience on forests, trees and
vulnerable people. There is a need to build national and particularly local institutional capacity
to support participatory and responsive decision making processes leading to equitable
outcomes of the SFM projects. Sustainable forest management provides a sound conceptual
framework for building resilience. Therefore Nepal should build a robust body of knowledge
and expertise, a number of well-tested approaches for integrated and landscape level planning
and management of forests, and a wide variety of tools to assist the managers in building
resiliency work.

Remote Sensing of Forest Resources
Martin Kappas
Abstract
Remote sensing allows for efficient management of forest resources. These resources include
wood, forage, water, wildlife, recreation, timber management, maintenance and improvement
of existing forest stands and fire control. Satellite and remote sensing images, with air photo
interpretation, combined with forest classification maps, will also help to determine the volume
of timber harvested from an individual tree or stand of trees.
Mostly the emphasis of RS-methods is placed on forest inventory techniques and detection of
plants / trees on large-scale photographs or high-resolution satellite images (Iconos,
Quickbird, RapidEye, Spot 7-8, WorldView-II-III), as well as looking for signs of damage by
fire, insects, or disease.
Today Remote Sensing techniques focus more and more on the evaluation of the contribution
of different forest ecosystems in climate change mitigation and development strategies such
as:
 Assessment of forest condition (area, composition, indicators of wood stock etc.
 Assessing the carbon budget
 Study of good practice in sustainable forest management aimed at reducing
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation and development
(storage) of carbon stocks (REED+)
 Develop a mechanism for fair distribution of costs and benefits (including the sale of
carbon, ecosystem services) on the mitigation of climate change among stakeholders
in accordance with national institutional capabilities.
Specific technics such as Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data - also known as Light Detection
and Ranging (LiDAR) - enable the accurate three - dimensional characterization of vertical
forest structure. ALS has proven to be an information-rich asset for forest managers, enabling
the generation of highly detailed digital elevation models and the estimation of a range of forest
inventory attributes (e.g., height, basal area, and volume). Comparable measurements to ALS
will be available from new radar campaigns like TerraSAR-X .
Finally Remote sensing fulfills the need for information regarding forest ecosystems, and
provides input to ecological models to help monitor forest dynamics towards a sustainable
forest management.
Prof. Dr. Martin Kappas
Institute of Geography, Cartography, GIS & Remote Sensing Section
Georg-August University Goettingen, Germany
mkappas@gwdg.de

The Matrix Approach
Ready for the Inter- and Transdisciplinary Implementation
of Ecosystem Services Assessment on the Landscape Scale
Prof. Dr. Renate Bürger-Arndt
Georg-August Universität Göttingen
rbuerge@gwdg.de
www.naturschutz.uni-goettingen.de
Abstract
According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, rapid changes and increasing degradations of
ecosystems by humans over the past 50 years have caused substantial losses of biodiversity and
ecosystem services. Doubtlessly ecosystem changes did also contribute to substantial net gains in
human well-being and economic development; however not for everybody nor anywhere. In fact,
economic inequality rather increased, putting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
at high risk. Facing growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and fuel, the degradation of
ecosystems and their services capacity could worsen significantly in the near future. In this context,
the state of forests will be of paramount importance.
The MA relied on the Ecosystem Services Concept as a comprehensive conceptual background to
analyze and demonstrate the essential importance and relevance of nature / biodiversity for human
well-being in order to provide political guidance and advice for decision makers with respect to nature
sound land-use for sustainable development. Since then, the Ecosystem Services Concept received
rapidly growing attention in science and politics.
The contribution will provide an introduction into the rather comprehensive and complex conceptual
framework, its theoretical perspectives and its practical challenges. It will then present and exemplify
a practicable approach for immediate ecosystem services assessment and illustration, based on
available data and existing knowledge.

Can Community-Forestry Programs Help Both the Forest and its Users?
Sorting out the Institutional Conditions for Social-Environmental Synergy
Krister Andersson
University of Colorado at Boulder (USA)
Krister.andersson@colorado.edu
Lauren Persha
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA)
Carl Salk
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (Austria)
Glenn Wright
University of Alaska, Southeast (USA)
Abstract
Most recent empirical studies have found that community-forestry programs and other
decentralized approaches to natural resource governance have had an overwhelmingly
positive effect on forest conditions. These strategies seem to support more stable and
healthier forests. Recent studies that focus on non-biological outcomes—such as rural
livelihoods, elite capture, and forest user-participation in local governance decisions—on the
other hand, have found more mixed results. These contrasting results suggest that it is
possible that community-based governance approaches may simultaneously produce
improved forests but worsened social outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to develop and
test a theory about the institutional conditions under which decentralized approaches will
support both forests and equitable livelihoods. We argue that in order to gain a deeper
understanding of how local governance systems may produce multiple outcomes--which may
sometimes represent tradeoffs and sometimes synergies—one needs to recognize the
influence of local institutional arrangements. More specifically, we propose that community-
based governance approaches will lead to improved local outcomes when a combination of
the following three institutional conditions exist: (1) The user group has an active forest
governance decision process in place; (2) The user group has substantive decision-making
rights around forest use & management, and (3) The user group’s self-governance efforts are
embedded within a broader hierarchy for common-pool resource management. We use a
quasi-experimental research design, which allows us to contrast forests that have been
subject to reforms with similar forest sites that have not been subject to such reforms. Using
longitudinal field data from the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI)
research network, we test these ideas with multilevel regression techniques.

Rehabilitation of degraded forests and lessons learnt: A case study from India
Dhirendra Bhargava, IFS Chief Conservator of Forests Balaghat (MP) India
Abstract
Forest degradation in India is a serious environmental, social and economic problem.
The increasing biotic pressure and fire causing degradation of forests. Deforestation and forest
degradation constitute the second most important contributor to global warming. Aspects of
forest degradation include reduction in stocking level, loss of biodiversity & carbon stock,
status of forest health, lowering of production and undesired physical & chemical changes in
forest soils. To reduce and reverse the negative impact of forest degradation rehabilitation of
such forests is carried out in the context of broader environmental, social and economic needs
and interest. Joint Forest Management is instrumental in rehabilitation of degraded forests and
sharing of benefits arising from such forests in India.
Government of India has launched National Afforestation Programme to assists
rehabilitation of degraded forests and checking land degradation through Joint Forest
Management Committees (JFMCs). Intensification of forest management and strengthening
of forest management schemes are also launched to prevent degradation of forests. Forest
Development Agencies (FDA) have been created at the district level to function as a link
between the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change and JFMCs for the scrutiny of
projects, release of funds and implementation of the sanctioned programmes. As on March
2015, projects involving 2.1 million ha in 28 states taken up and Rs. 35138 million has been
disbursed to the FDA for implementation of these projects. Plantations, soil & moisture
conservation works are carried out in degraded forest area to rehabilitate such areas.
Rehabilitation works has resulted in increase in productivity, enhancement of carbon stock
and availability of forest produce to the community. These programmes are aimed to provide
sustainable employment in degraded forest area to improve productivity and rehabilitate these
forests. All degraded forest area, which required rehabilitation work are kept under
Rehabilitation Working Circle and every year one coupe in a series is worked as per working
plan prescription. Paucity of budget allocation is a major impediment in rehabilitation of forests.
Lessons learned includes identification of extend of degradation, long term planning to prevent
degradation and rehabilitation, enhance institutional capacity, livelihood, Rehabilitation of
degraded forests requires knowledge of ecological succession, capital investment, new
technologies and sustainable use. It is recommended to adopt holistic approach for
rehabilitation of degraded forests taking into consideration of provision of alternate to forest
products to the local community and employment opportunities in forest development and in
other sectors.
Key words: degradation, rehabilitation, productivity, carbon stock, succession.

Sustainability of upper catchment forestry areas in ancient irrigation cascade
ecosystem in Dry zone of Sri Lanka
Ranjana. U. K. Piyadasa
Department of Geography, University of Colombo, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
ranjana@geo.cmb.ac.lk
Abstract
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world that had a thriving and vibrant ancient
irrigation based civilization for over two thousand years. The irrigation cascade ecosystem
farmars used for traditional organic cultivation of paddy, harmonized environment and
development in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. They are of multiple use
and supports aquatic ecosystems and human settlements in a geo-physical environment that
would have otherwise been left parched and desolate. Forestry areas in upper catchment of
the tank cascade system plays an important role in the ecosystem. The forest cover in the
catchment was maintain by the local community and was protected by controlling felling trees
and clearing for agricultural expansion. The environmental services provided by the forests
were valued by farmers communities and used only for the sustainable extraction of some non
timber forest products such as medicinal herbs for local medicinal preparations. The Study
was conducted in the Horivila cascade ecosystem in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The
main objective of the study was to identify the tank cascade system upper catchment areas
forest distribution and its benefits to farmer community. The study reveled that the in Horivila
cascade environmental services provided by the forests were valued in farming communities
and well maintained to minimize the soil erosion from upper catchment. The study revealed
that the forestry area is minimizing the sediment runoff control to tank. That forestry areas
were not used to irrigate land; on the contrary, its express purpose was to provide water to
wild animals and, hence, to reduce the likelihood that they would descend into the farms and
destroy the crops in the search for water. The study identified most of the tanks were abounded
or neglected and due to that elephants and other animals are leaving the forestry areas for
water and food. Accordingly the increased elephant - human conflicts can be seen in the study
area.

Relation between Community Forest Management and Biodiversity
Conservation
Smita Das, Nepal
Abstract
Community forest management regime is one of the most successful forest management
system in Nepal. There are around 18,133 community forest in Nepal managed by community
forest user groups. The success of community forestry is in forest and biodiversity
conservation, increasing forest products, improving ecological condition, rehabilitation of
degraded lands, disaster reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation , improving rural
livelihoods and empowering marginalised and disadvantages group and insure good
governance on participatory management approach. In terms of biodiversity conservation,
community forestry has provided greenery in barren lands, tree species conservation for the
timber, fuelwood and fodder, reduction on soil erosion , water source conservation and
improvement of wildlife habitat. However, the community forest management practice has not
contributed practicaly in biodiversity conservation because only particular valuable tree
species are prioritize which gives high timber and fuelwood value in market. Additionally, It
allows the activities like leaf litter collection, removal of other tree species having a low market
value, less importance to minor forest products , o concern on birds and micro fauna
conservation, only focus on production based forest management system, elite groups
dominance in decision making process, unequitable benefit sharing and lack of opportunity of
applying indigeneous knowledge by forest dependent people on conservation practices. This
ongoing practices by community forestry management system in Nepal still lack the intensive
biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Therefore, for intensive biodiversity
conservation community forest should make forest management plan not only focusing on
monetory value but also on enhancing biodiversity with active participation of diverse people
of that community.

Dr. Emilia Nercissians
Abstract
The paper analyzes problems of forest and nature conservation, land use and resource
utilization, and water management in north Iran. It is conjectured that problems of
environmental degradation and ecosystem decline are related to questions of endangered
languages and subordinate ethnicities and cultures. The study goes beyond the investigating
the role of language and local culture in development planning and establishing that weak
development communication hinders internalization and endogenous reproducibility
development idea by target community through processes of negotiation and argumentation. It
is argued that the ecological conditions of the Caspian region is very fragile and careless use
of new technologies aimed at enhancing efficiencies seriously threatens this small region of
moderate climate amid wide stretches of arid and semi-arid land. Local Knowledge, embedded
and explicit in vernacular languages and cultures, and in aboriginal ideologies, modes of
participation, habits of resource utilization, and dominant narratives within the community, are
crucial for guaranteeing sustainability and environmental plausibility of development projects.
Examples from the author’s studies on rural development projects in north Iran are provided to
show the dangers posed even by the more progressive planning and donor organizations in
which emphasis is put on participatory and endogenous projects, if there is one-way
development communication and vernacular voices remain unheard.
Key words: endangered languages, conservation, sustainability, vernacular culture, Tat and
Talesh

Community based measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation in Nepal
Dev Raj Gautam2
Abstract
The Forest Acts of Nepal 1993 provided legal basis for participatory forest management in
Nepal. As a result, about 18,000 Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) are managing
more than one third of the total forest areas. Despite community efforts, some of the CFs are
depleting in size, quality and stock. The analysis report (Nepal RPP 2010) indicates that high
dependency on forest resource for cooking energy, fodder and timber, forest fire, unplanned
infrastructure, encroachment for settlement and agriculture as major drivers of deforestation
and forest degradation at the national level. The USAID funded Hariyo Ban Program did an
study for identifying site based drivers at different levels like critical river basin, sub-
watersheds and poverty pocket areas. In addition, the program also conducted analysis of
underlying causes of poverty and vulnerabilities (UCPVA) and community consultations to
identify and prioritize drivers using pair-wise ranking tool. For most of the sites, forest fire,
unplanned infrastructure development; over grazing, illegal harvesting of timber and fuel
wood, and encroachment were identified as major drivers. Poverty, unemployment and lack
of alternative livelihoods were identified as major underlying causes. Community based
measures and plans were prepared based on community consultation and reviewing their
forest operation plans (FOPs) and community adaptation plan of actions (CAPAs) to address
them. Alternative energy promotion, plantation of multipurpose tree species, promotion of stall
feeding practices and fire management were the major activities implemented by the
communities to address the site specific drivers. Similarly, livelihood improvement activities
like income generation through revolving fund mobilization and cooperatives are supported to
reduce the pressure of forest dependent people on CF. Based on our preliminary experiences,
the site specific measures are found to be useful in order to foster the sustainable landscape
and healthy ecosystem in the future.
Key words: Drivers, Deforestation, Forest Degradation, Underlying Causes, Poverty,
Community-based measures
2
Team Leader, Hariyo Ban Program, CARE Nepal.

Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystems for Human Well-being: Efforts, Achievements
and Challenges in Nepal and the Asia-Pacific
Ambika P. Gautam, PhD
Abstract
Biodiversity and ecosystems play crucial roles in determining human well-being through
provision of various goods and ecosystem services. The roles are even more prominent in
countries like Nepal and the Asia-pacific region as a whole. Nepal harbors disproportionately
high level of biodiversity and ecosystems due mainly to tremendous geographic diversity,
dramatic changes in elevation along a relatively short north-south transect, and high variability
in the physiographic and climatic conditions. The government, together with its conservation
partners and local communities, has been making substantial efforts to conserve and
sustainably use the country’s biological resources over the last few decades. Over 36 times
increase in country's protected area in between 1973 and 2010 is an example of such efforts.
Some notable achievements have been made in conservation of forest, freshwater,and agro-
biodiversity during the last few decades. Revival of the number of flagship wildlife species
(such as rhino, tiger) is an example of the achievements. Despite these efforts and
achievements, several challenges and uncertainties remain. Abating the loss and degradation
of habitats; controlling invasion by invasive alien species, pollution of water bodies, and rapidly
increasing use of hybrid crop varieties and animal breeds; and managing human-wildlife
conflicts are some challenges. Improving institutional capacity and law enforcement, and inter-
agency coordination and cooperation are some other major challenges. The prolonged and
often turbulent political transition and associated social dynamics of the country have also
posed some serious challenges, risks and uncertainties in sustaining the past achievements
and achieving the intended outcomes. Enhancing the adaptive capabilities of ecosystems and
species to the impacts of climate change, which is largely unknown, is expected to be a major
challenge in future. While the situation in other countries and territories of the Asia-pacific
varies considerably across the region, especially between the developed and developing
countries, many of the challenges and issues in the region are similar to that in Nepal.
This paper critically analyses the efforts, achievements and challenges faced by Nepal in
improved management of biodiversity and ecosystems for human well-being and national
prosperity. The data and information were collected, as part of the development of National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2014-2020), through extensive review of relevant
literature, consultations with different agencies, independent experts and other stakeholders
at various levels, and direct field observations at a number of key biodiversity sites across

Nepal. The few example cases from some other countries in the Asia-pacific that are
presented in the paper are based on extensive review of relevant literature, which was carried
out as part of the author’s past assignments and current responsibility to contribute to the Asia-
pacific regional assessment report that is being prepared by the Intergovernmental Science
Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The findings are expected
to be useful in understanding the general situation of biodiversity and ecosystem management
in Nepal and the Asia-pacific region and formulating relevant policies in different countries.
Key words: Biodiversity, ecosystem services, human well-being, challenges, Nepal, Asia-
pacific region.

The Construction of Naturalness Assessment Index System of Mountainous National
Parks in China
Zhang Deshun Yang Tao
Department of Landscape Study, Tongji University, China, 200092
Abstract
National park is the important carrier of forest conservation. With the review of the concept of
naturalness and naturalness assessment research, the connotation of naturalness
assessment of mountainous national parks in China is first time raised. On the basis of the
fundamental research, the internal characteristics and external disturbances of park’s system,
the naturalness assessment index system of mountainous national parks in China was built
and the rating levels of indexes was also determined.
Moreover, C 1 method for determining the weight of attribute was applied to calculate the
indexes’ weights. Then, the classification and implied meaning of levels of naturalness were
given by AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis. The levels of naturalness were divided
into natural, relative natural, half-natural and artificial. Taking Nanshan Buddhism Cultural
Tourism Zone as case study, all the landscape measures are introduced to balance the forest
conservation and economy improvements.
Key word: National Park of China; Landscape Architecture; Naturalness; Assessment Index

Conservation Awareness on
Community Use Zone (CUZ) by Local Communities in the Upland Areas of
Mount Kinabalu and Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia
Mojiol, A.R, Lintangah, W. J & Tapuong, M. J
Abstract
The Parks Enactment 1984 prohibits any human activities in the parks’ area as to conserve
the natural ecosystem, but in fact, there is the existence of some community living inside the
area and practicing cultivation. Community Use Zone (CUZ) is a management option in an
attempt to strike a balance between the conservation priorities of the park and the livelihoods
of the local communities who depend on the forest for survival. This study determined the
relationship between crops planted within the CUZ areas and evaluated its contributions to
the local communities’ livelihood. Furthermore, also determined the perception and
conservation awareness of local community. The data was collected by using face-to-face
interview with closed and open-ended structured questions. Information was also obtained
through field observations. Percentage, mean and range were used to summarize the results.
The major crops identified are permanent crops such as rubber trees and fruit trees. Cash
crops such as vegetables, cocoa and coffee trees were cultivated as sources of income by
farmers in Kg. Sayap, Kota Belud and Kg. Mongool Baru Ulu Senagang, Keningau/Tenom.
Rubber trees contributed the highest income followed by fruit trees such as durian, langsat,
rambutan, cocoa, and vegetables. The study showed that the perception of the local
communities of the villages on the issues that related with forest conservation. The CUZ area
is identified as a management tool for survival and livelihood of the local communities. It is
therefore highly recommended to be practiced with further research to be carried for the
management enhancement.
Key Words: Community Use Zone (CUZ), Community Livelihood, Conservation, Awareness,
Mount Kinabalu, Crocker Range Park

Integration of medicinal and aromatic plants in forestry to reduce emission of
green house gases conserves forest and enhances sustainable income of
tribal people at Indo-Nepal border
RAKESH PANDEY
Microbial Technology and Nematology Department
CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Govt. of India), P.O.
CIMAP, Lucknow-226015, INDIA
E-mail: rakeshpandey66@hotmail.com, r.pandey@cimap.res.in
Abstract
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivated in forests often require partial shade, moist
soils (high in organic matter), high relative humidity and mild temperatures. The cultivation of
MAPs can be undertaken in thinned forests and cleared forest patches, or as intercrops in
new forest plantations. MAPs and their products not only serve as valuable source of income
for small land holders farmers and entrepreneurs but also helps their integration in different
cropping system including forestry in tribal areas. This will not only in minimizing deforestation,
but also augments the farmer’s income. A large part of the tribal population living at border
areas of Indo-Nepal have been traditionally dependent on forest for their livelihood, shelter,
food, fuel, health and treatment of livestock ailments. Intervention of MAPs in tribal areas
enhances their income and reduces losses caused by wild animals on one hand and
decreases emission of greenhouse gases on the other. Since, a large number of MAPs is
cultivated under forest cover viz. Pogostemon patchouli (P. cablin), Andrographis paniculata
and Chlorophytum borivilianum, this can help in generating additional income, conserving the
forest and reducing emission of green house gases.
It is concluded from different greenhouse and field experimentations that these
different tactics always help to reduce the deforestation, greenhouse gases emission and
induce sustainable development of tribal people in the Indo-Nepal border areas. Such
integrated approach and technologies are the need of the hour and it may be a great gift to
tribal people.

Nepalese Socio-Culture Use of Plants and its Products: In Context to Newar
Community of Kathmandu Valley
Nirmala Joshi
Department of Plant Resources, Kathmandu, Nepal
E-mail: nirmalaktm@gmail.com
Abstract
There is relation between people and plants since the human evolution. The Himalayan
country, Nepal is culturally rich and reflects cultural values of the people who celebrate
charming festivals showing their attachments to nature and plants. More than 125 ethnic
groups and indigenous people are scattered in different zones of Nepal. The socio-cultural
pattern and tradition of Nepalese are different in different ethnic groups and geographical
zones of Nepal. Respect for all cultures of different ethnic groups is inherent in Nepalese
tradition. Newar ethnic group is an original inhabitant of Kathmandu valley. Newar ethnic group
uses many plants species and its products for celebrating 14 well known traditional festivals
and social culture like from birth to death. More than 108 plants were identified for using in
socio-cultural value. The use of these species is part of the cultural heritage, playing an
important role in studying their scientific, aesthetic, cultural values as well as maintaining
customs and traditions. For example, in January certain Dioscorea species are very important
for celebrating the traditional religious festival of Maghe Sankranti, which starts on the first day
of the Nepali month of Magh (January). Similarly, Bail fruit tree (Aegle marmelos) have cultural
value and important for celebrating the traditional ritual "Ihee" in Newar around Kathmandu
valley. Socio-cultural in Nepalese life has developed to preserve diversity in nature so
conservation of culture heritage should become essential part of biodiversity conservation.
Key words: Festivals, Heritage, Religions and rituals, Sustainable utilization

Experience sharing in introducing tree crops for nutrition security, aid organic
farming and reduce drudgery of farm women under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas
Yojna in Tarai region of India
Ram C Chaudhary
Chairman and Project Manager
Participatory Rural Development Foundation, Gorakhpur (U. P.) 273014, INDIA
ram.chaudhary@gmail.com
Abstract
Traditional farming (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna) is being re-emphasised as a means of
producing organic food, assure social justice, generate more income and protect environment
while assuring nutrition security. To address these issues, PRDF implemented a project in
Tarai belt of India adjoining Nepal border. As per the baseline survey conducted in the project
area revealed that more than 60% children are malnourished and 52% children have below
critical level of Vitamin A. The nutritional survey also revealed that 54% women do not take
breakfast, just the lunch and dinner, without any fruits (48%) as not much grow on the farm,
and over 40% are anaemic. Thus a number of plant species including nutritionally rich
Moringa oleifera, Leucaena leucocephala, Ipomoea batata, Carica papaya, leafy vegetables,
Azadirecta indica and Sesbania rostrata to aid organic farming, were introduced on-farm to
address these issues. Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) and Ipomoea batata (special Orange-
fleshed Sweet Potato) have nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, mineral-rich green fruit pods,
and tubers, which are rich in Vitamin A and C, and minerals such as Fe, Ca, Zn, Mn etc. Each
of the 1,000 families in the project were given 2 saplings each of drumstick tree, papaya, other
fruit trees, tubers and enough seeds to support organic farming and assure nutrition security.
Neem products were popularized for crop protection under organic farming. Poly-houses, Net-
houses and Low-tunnel poly-houses for growing offseason vegetables, which fetch 5 times
higher price, were created. Shade-net facility was created for the community to multiply fruit-
trees, produce flower seedlings etc efficiently for income generation. Their savings are
deposited in the bank account of the Self Help Groups. Girl students in the colleges and house
wives were trained to produce nutritious food using the introduced crop varieties and local
ingredients. Entrepreneurship development for some local nutritious products is being
targeted.
Drudgery reducing equipments and smokeless wood-stoves for farm and home-use have
been provided. Women are happy with these equipments, which reduced drudgery and made
their lives happier. Now they enjoy work with increased efficiency and have spared time for
relaxation. Within 2 years of the project activity, impact of these activities could be realized on
the nutrition and income levels of women. Data on changes in the life of the community and
lessons learnt will be presented. May be this model is worthy of multiplication among other
marginalised agrarian communities of the world?

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Anti- inflammatory Properties of
“Longevity Spinach” (Gynura procumbens Lour.) Ethanolic Leaf Extract
Aurea Marie Sandoval & Alma Bolante
Benguet State University, Philippines
ABSTRACT
There has been in more recent times, an awakening towards the use of drugs and their
preparation in a kind of “back-to-nature” movement, instead of the classical synthetic
compounds manufactured in advanced countries. The Philippines, being a tropical
archipelago with a rich biodiversity profile, can provide an abundant supply of biological
materials that can be screened for medicinal activities. More than a hundred plant species
have been described in terms of their ethno-botanical and ethno-pharmaceutical potentials.
While the use of synthetics is of undoubted value, it is believed that the use of herbal medicines
of properly-tested efficacy would be of great advantage in a developing country like the
Philippines which is still blessed with bountiful plant resources. This includes the use of
medicinal plants, especially in the rural areas where pharmaceuticals are not either readily
available or are too expensive.
A study was conducted to determine the presence of plant secondary metabolites
which exhibit biological activity in the ethanolic leaf extract of Gynura procumbens, locally
known as the “longevity spinach”. It also evaluated the antioxidant property in vitro and its
anti-inflammatory property in vivo, using the fresh and healthy leaves of Gynura procumbens
randomly picked from propagated plants in Abra, Vigan City, Bantay, and Magsingal in Ilocos
Sur, Philippines.
Result of phytochemical screening for plant secondary metabolites revealed the
presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and steroids, while no traces of anthraquinones,
saponins, and cyanogenic glycosides were found. The antioxidant property testing revealed
an antioxidant property of the Gynura procumbens ethanolic leaf extract. Further, the results
showed that their antioxidant property is dose or concentration dependent. In the anti-
inflammatory test on female Sprague-Dawley rats employing the Carrageenan-induced
Method, the Gynura procumbens ethanolic leaf extract showed a negative percent inhibition
against the formation of edema in the test animals. Propagation of the Gynura procumbens
plant is recommended as it shows promise as an antioxidizing agent.
Medicinal plants of which the longevity spinach is one, constitute an important natural
wealth of a country. They play a significant role in providing primary health care services to
rural people. They serve as therapeutic agents as well as important raw materials for the

manufacture of traditional and modern medicine. Substantial amount of foreign exchange can
be earned by exporting medicinal plants to other countries. In this way indigenous medicinal
plants play significant role to the economy of a country. However, in the case of the longevity
spinach, while this has opened its medicinal potentials with its antioxidanrt property when in
higher concentration or dosage as shown from the research results, this largely points out for
the need to conserve this valuable plant resource.

Policy coherence and interplay between forest, biodiversity and climate
change policies for climate change adaptation in Nepal.
Sunita Ranabhat
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that climate change is happening and affecting whole ecosystem,
in particular to the natural resources and rural communities who depend on natural resources
for the livelihood. Despite the low contribution to global warming, developing countries like
Nepal are hit hardest by the climate change. Actions to reduce the impact of climate change
are crucial, so adaptation has become the core elements for climate policy and research.
Climate change adaptation is not a policy area of its own, and should not be treated as such.
Although we do need adaptation policies, they should focus on coordinating other policies with
respect to adaptation needs. Successful adaptation to climate change will depend on policy
integration in other sectoral policies. To deal with climate change issues, Nepal has
accomplished various climate change initiatives in the recent years and has also considered
climate change adaptation as a national agenda. Various line ministries and departments have
included climate change issues (both mitigation and adaptation) in their recent policies and
programs. Furthermore, though policy discussion prioritizes to integrate climate change
adaptation to sectoral policies, it is vitally important to scrutinize consistency between climate
policies and sectoral policies to find ways for effective implementation of climate change
adaptation activities. In the context of climate change agenda integrated into sectoral policies,
the primary aim of this presentation is to explore coherence among forest, biodiversity and
climate change policies on climate change adaptation at national level in Nepal.

The land cover changes and natural resource management issues in mountainous
region of the central Viet Nam.
Man Quang Huy
Faculty of Geography, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
Email: mqhuy@vnu.edu.vn
Abstract
The mountainous region of Vietnam has many different land types; hills, mountains and other
types of highland formations, which occupy about 24.4 millions ha (74%) of the total area of
the country. The mountainous region is also the home of 24 millions people consisting of many
different ethnic groups, and almost all are ethnic minorities. Forest is a precious resource and
has an important role in protecting the environment to support the development of the
economy and to ensure national security.
In recent years, forest cover has increased significantly but the quality of forest is still very
poor, swidden cultivation and population pressure are the main reasons that is put on the
natural resource base, making it poorer. To solve these problems, from 1988 the Vietnam
Government has handed over authority to local governments to implement some development
policies on Agriculture, Forestry such as forest land allocation policy, and land tenure rights
have been handed over to local farmers in this limited period, in the 327 program and 5 millions
ha reforestation program. The objective of these programs is to protect natural resources, to
ensure the development of the economy and improve the standard of living in the mountain
region. However the expected results have not been obtained; the quality of the forest is still
decreasing, the environment has not improved yet, people are still poor, and many new
contradictions appear. Some research on forest development policy of the Government, the
impacts of policy on forest resources, the indigenous knowledge in resource management of
communities, and different ethnic groups has been done. Nevertheless the research was
based only on statistical data, and it did not show us the change on the map. Research on the
effect of land allocation policy on land cover change doesn’t have synchronous, effective and
specific method.
The research was applied the technology to assess, manage forest resources, and
simultaneously to understand more clearly about the natural resource management issues,
especially forest resources, the land cover change and the life of the farmers. The research
have been used mainly satellite images and GIS combining with ground truth points - GTPs
to investigate the land cover change and natural resource management issues at different
periods. This research does not aim to analyze the policy or assess the success of land
allocation policy and other developing polices of the Vietnamese Government. Instead of that,
this research focuses on finding the land cover change, the reality of natural resource
management, social economic issues and the life of the farmers in the mountainous area.

Advancing Understanding of the Natural Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement as
part of REDD+ in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam
Nguyen The Chien – Senior Natural Resources/REDD+ Advisor
The Netherland Development Organisation, SNV
3th floor, Building D, La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District,
Hanoi, Viet Nam; Tel.: + 84 43 8463791; Fax: +84 43 8463794; E-mail:
nthechien@gmail.com
Abstract
Vietnam’s forest cover declined from 43% to 27% between 1943 and 1990. Since then, Viet
Nam has made considerable efforts to increase its overall forest cover, which now stands at
13.39 million ha or 39.7% of its total area. The increase has been mainly due to new
plantations, which account for 2.92 million ha. Despite this increase, the quality of natural
forests continues to decrease, suffering from fragmentation and degradation. Over two-thirds
of Viet Nam’s natural forests are considered poor or regenerating, while rich and closed-
canopy forests constitute only 4.6% of the total forest area. The area of natural forest classified
as rich decreased by 10.2% between 1999 and 2005, and the amount of medium quality forest
declined by 13.4%.
With the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Natural Conservation, Building and
Safety Nuclear (BMUB), the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) is implementing a
Forestry/REDD+ project entitled “Advancing Understanding of natural Forest Carbon Stock
Enhancement as part of REDD+” for a period of 3 years, 2015 – 2018. This project aims to
advance understanding of natural forest carbon stock enhancement through exploring the
technical and economic feasibility of ecological evergreen forest restoration as part of any
REDD+ agreement in Vietnam.
This project will pioneer the underdeveloped role that carbon stock enhancement on degraded
forest lands will have in the future development of REDD+. Minimal focus has been given to
this and there is a great potential to explore the large environmental and livelihood benefits
from taking advantage of opportunities to enrich degraded forest. The Project will produce
handbooks that provide detailed guidance in the provinces where the field testing restoration
works. It is therefore possible to envision a different strategy that would raise awareness and
reach agreement on broad objectives in terms of restoring a diverse and resilient natural

degraded forest at all levels and encourage experimentation at site level in terms of ecological
forest restoration. The techniques outline is only a basic guide and should be tailored to each
unique situation and site condition where evergreen forest restoration will be attempted by
local communities. It will test innovative approaches: (i) decision making frameworks to help
assess the viability of introducing natural forest carbon enhancement projects; and (ii)
valuation techniques such as choice modelling and/or bidding systems to value ecological
services of natural forest in Vietnam.
Keywords: REDD+, Forest Carbon Stock enhancement, Ecological Forest restoration,
Silvicultural treatments.

Birding tourism in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India – ecotourism
contributing to conservation
*Dr. Kamini Barua & **Bhaskar J. Baruah
*Georg-August University of Göttingen, Germany
E-Mail: kaminikusum@gmail.com
** Agoratoli Ecotourism Initiative, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
Kaziranga National Park sprawled across an area of nearly 430 sq. kms. is a world heritage
site (UNESCO 1985) and one of the landmark ecotourism hotspots’ in Northeast India. This
national park is located in the riverine floodplain of the river Brahmaputra in Assam, and has
a mixed assemblage of habitats ranging from grasslands, woodlands, mixed deciduous and
tropical wet evergreen to semi-evergreen forests and wetlands. The savanna grasslands
along with the wetlands form a significant part of the park’s biome and are the habitats to a
diverse variety of wildlife ranging from mammals to amphibians, reptiles, fishes and birds. This
national park is renowned for the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros unicornis), apart from the Asiatic wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), Asiatic elephant
(Elephas maximus), Tiger (Panthera tigris) and the eastern race of the swamp deer (Cervus
duvauceli ranjitsinghi). Kaziranga National Park is also famous as a birding paradise, and has
been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International (2004) with a
recorded checklist of nearly 500 species of birds. The unique location of this park at the
junction of the Australasian and Indo-Asian flyway makes it an important migrating, breeding
and nesting site for a rich diversity of avian fauna. Through promotion of birding tourism and
wildlife photography, the ‘Agoratoli Ecotourism Initiative’ aims to create awareness for wildlife
and nature conservation amongst both tourists and the local communities. Our camp aims to
particularly encourage community-based participation in responsible tourism through training
and self-employment opportunities, especially for the local youth. This is further supplemented
by the proactive participation of the governmental organizations and local NGOs. Training of
the local youth on birding with respect to spotting, identification, and knowledge on habitat and
protection of the locally resident birds has been one of the major initiatives of our camp.
Activities like providing updated checklist of recorded bird species from specific birding points,
providing information on birding itineraries and organization of birding photo exhibitions
targeting both tourists and the local people has been some of the major activities of the camp.
The strategic location of this camp within the ‘Agoratoli range’ of the national park suitably
complements to this camp being able to provide one of the most interesting birding trails, due
to the presence of one of the largest water bodies (locally called Sohola Beel) where hundreds

of migratory birds flock at the onset of winter. Promotion of birding festivals, designing
specified birding trails and hotspots, as well as highlighting some of the endemic and
endangered species are some of the future initiatives that aims to target both birding
enthusiasts and ornithological experts. All of the above mentioned initiatives are aimed at
spreading conservation awareness in general and promoting a sustainable local culture
through appreciation for the environment.

Restoring Lake Toba Ecosystem
Erika Pardede
Dept. of Agricultural Products Technology – Univ. of HKBP-Nommensen - Indonesia
erikalrp@yahoo.de
Abstract
Toba Land is located in North Sumatera – Indonesia. Its area is devided into seven districts,
where Lake Toba situated on its center. Lake Toba is the Indonesia’s largest volcano lake
which catchment area covers about 3,658 km2
embracing parts of Toba Land. The unique
eco-region is attributed to the size, and natural beauty of the landscape where an island
named Samosir is located in the middle of the lake, as well as to the culture of most of the
people who live around that ethnically belongs to Bataks.
The Lake Toba ecosystem basin has ecology, socio-cultural and economic values for
inhabitant of Toba Land and is inseparable ecologically from the surrounding ecosystem
areas. Unfortunately, Lake Toba ecosystem is now disturbed and is dealing with high level of
degradation and in need of special attention.
This paper spelt out some of recent situation related to its ecological conditions. In several
coastal areas, water plant (hyacinth) has spreaded and started to cover the lake surfaces.
This is an indication of the change in water quality and the water has been polluted by heavy
pollutant. Intensive agricultural practice and cultivation of fish in floating cage aquaculture in
lakes from by which chemical used in the agricultural practices and the waste of pellet (a kind
of fish food) flow into the water.
Human activities caused habitat destruction and widespread deforestation leave shattered
area appears on the slope and land around the lake. More to this was the change of land use
for development linked to industrial and settlement purposes. The drought as phenomenon of
globally climate changes was also worsened the situation.
Change of ecosystem of Toba region especially in past two decades resulting by numerous
variables, varies from population growth to development purposes. The Lake Toba catchment
area faces an environmental crisis characterized by widespread deforestation, drought,
decline of the water level, water quality degradation, invasive species and loss of biological
diversity. Lack of comittment of the authorities, though they have made little efforts to nature
conservation, much work will remain to be done to strengthening ecosystem conservation in
Lake Toba and its surrounding and for preventing from further degradation.
Key words: Lake Toba, ecosystem, biodiversity

REVIEWOFWILDLIFEHUMANCONFLICTINKATHMANDUVALLEY
Utsab Thapa
Abstract
Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is fast becoming a serious threat to the survival of many
endangered species in the world including Nepal. This report provides an insight into the HWC
issue in Kathmandu, based on field surveys and secondary data collection. It highlights
common problems and solutions related to the conflict resolution. It also shows that accurate
and detailed information, scientific research and stakeholder commitment are key to the
development of appropriate and sustainable strategies for both resolving the problem and
conserving different ecosystems and their wildlife inhabitants.
The study reveals that HWC in Kathmandu is common to all areas where wildlife and human
population coexist and share limited resources. Dense human populations in close vicinity to
national parks seem to pose the greatest challenges in Kathmandu. Similarly, conflicts are
more intense where livestock holdings and agriculture are an important part of urban and sub-
urban livelihoods. The study provides insights into some of the wildlife-human conflict events
occurred in Kathmandu and suggests resolving measures.
The study provides practical recommendations to better design future HWC interventions and
improve the existing techniques. To make wildlife conservation efforts more effective,
conservation should be based on both sound scientific knowledge and indigenous practical
knowledge with effective collaboration among them. Integrated wildlife conservation and
community development promoted both by the park managers and local population would be
the ideal scenario. Community-based conservation on one hand would give the local residents
the right to utilize the natural resources in a sustainable way while on the other hand would
promote the local tolerance towards wildlife, developing a responsible interaction with their
natural environment.
In conclusion, presence of wildlife populations around the settlement areas can develop
negative attitudes towards national parks and wildlife, increasing the conflict and undermining
conservation efforts. In order to overcome this scenario there is a need to protect rural
livelihood, reduce their vulnerability and counterbalance losses with appropriate relief
mechanisms. There is a considerable tangible loss to both local people and wildlife, different
stakeholders involved should commit themselves to tackle and resolve such conflicts in the
future.
Keywords: Wildlife, conflict, collaboration, community, conservation, stakeholders.

Grassroots capacity development in REDD+: Learning from the Ground
Bishnu Hari Poudyal
Country Programme Coordinator
RECOFTC Nepal
Abstract
Meaningful engagement and effective participation of grassroots actors in local and national
level policy processes for forest management have implications in the future global climate
regime and poverty reduction. For this, institutional and technical capacity of grassroots actors
is critical in ensuring effective and successful implementation of Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation including Conservation and Sustainable Management
of Forests and Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks (REDD+). Capacity building for
grassroots actors is particularly crucial as REDD+ has to be implemented in a complex local
environment shaped by multiple land use systems, sharply divided politics, conflicting policies,
different levels of forest dependencies, complex social relations, unclear governance and
tenure structures, and differential climate impacts.
It has been learned from the grassroots capacity building program that there is no “one size
fits all” formula for capacity building and therefore a multi-pronged and multi-scale capacity
strengthening strategy that draws on the strengths of various learning methods and addresses
the unique needs of targeted actors would be effective. It should always be target-driven,
addressing the specific needs and conditions of actors and reflecting their sustainable
development strategies, priorities and initiatives. The key learning is that capacity
development efforts need to be process oriented with regular refresher and back up support
to the target group rather not following training only as one off event. There is a need to re-
orient and strengthen the capacity of key champions of REDD+ in Nepal so that they can
better analyze and understand their own carbon forestry conditions and develop strategies to
get more benefits from REDD+ scheme.
Key word: REDD+, Capacity development, Stakeholders, Institutions, Community Forestry

R-Package Assessment of Nepal's REDD+ Preparedness
Rajendra K.C.3
, Brian Peniston, Mohan Gurung, Basanta Gautam, Rajesh Rai and Kiran
Timilsina
Abstract
The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) mechanism is
expected to generate enormous economic, social and environmental benefits. A very rough
estimate indicated that Nepal is able to draw USD 20-86 million per year after full-fledged
REDD+ implementation. Besides, it generates various non-carbon benefits such as
biodiversity conservation, management of essential ecosystem services, and promotes
livelihoods and human rights of forest dependent, marginalized and indigenous communities.
Nepal has been engaged in REDD+ process since 2008 and implemented various activities
to prepare the country for the full fledged implementation of the REDD+. The Ministry of Forest
and Soil Conservation, as the focal Ministry for REDD+ implementation has kept the REDD+
as one of the most prioritized programme and established REDD Implementation Center
(formerly as REDD-Cell) to facilitate the overall REDD+ programme in Nepal.
Nepal has been regularly supported by the World Bank through its Forest Carbon Partnership
Facility (FCPF) and United Nation REDD Programme from early period of REDD+
implementation. Various preparatory works have been done by the government, non-
government organization and civil societies either from their own resources or from external
supports. Various legal initiations, policy formulation, institutional set ups, relevant studies and
capacity development activities have been already made.
The country is asked to do self-assessment by involving all major REDD+ stakeholders based
on the R-Package Assessment Framework developed by the FCPF before full-fledged
implementation of the REDD+. Nepal has completed the participatory R-Package assessment
in 2015 on REDD+ Readiness preparedness based on the 34 criteria suggested by the FCPF.
The visual syntheses of overall achievement by all 34 criteria were made into four different
traffic color as Green indicating "Significant progress", Yellow: "progressing well; but further
development required", Orange: "further development required" and RED: "not yet
demonstrating progress".
The REDD+ preparedness of the country was assessed by organizing 10 district level and 5
regional level workshops covering all geographical regions of the country. Three focus group
discussions were held in Kathmandu by involving major stakeholders of the REDD+ and
3
Presently Under Secretary at Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal

forestry programme. In addition, a large number of REDD+ related documents, government
policies and legal documents were thoroughly reviewed. The overall assessment of the
REDD+ was shared to the major forestry stakeholders and validated the findings and
inferences of the study team.
The assessment concluded that Nepal has achieved Green status (i.e. significant progress)
for 26 of the 34 assessment criteria and yellow status (for 8 criteria). None of the criteria
assessed as the orange and red colored.
Key words: REDD+, R-Package Assessment, FCPF, World Bank, Nepal

WORK PROFILES
Arranged as per the program Schedule
Prof. Dr. Renate Bürger-Arndt
Nature Conservation & Landscape Management
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Georg-August-University Göttingen
Büsgenweg 3 / D-37077 Göttingen
Tel: +49 (0)551 39-33412 (office), -4486(direct)
Fax: +49 (0)551 39-33415
E-mail: rbuerge@gwdg.de
naturschutz.uni-goettingen.de
Renate Bürger-Arndt holds the degrees of a Master of Science and a Doctor of Natural
Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) from the Faculty of Biology and the degree of a Dr. rer. nat. habil in
Phytosociology and Nature Conservation from the Faculty of Forestry, Albert-Ludwigs-
University of Freiburg, Germany.
She has now more than 35 years of professional experience in research, lecturing and
consulting: As a research assistant at the Institute for Biology II (Phytosociology) and postdoc
at the Institute for Landscape Ecology, Nature Conservation and Global Forest Management,
University of Freiburg, where she was also interim head of the institute in 1986/1987; as a
"Short time Expert" for the German Association for Technical Cooperation (Gesellschaft für
technische Zusammenarbeit- GTZ) in Paraguay (1989) and Sabah (2010) as well as in the
field of Independent Environmental Consulting Services. Since 1995, she is University
Professor for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management at the Faculty of Forestry and
Forest Ecology / University of Göttingen.
Her main research fields are: forest ecosystem services & nature conservation, recreation and
nature tourism in forests; landscape planning and management, landscape perception and
aesthetics, habitat and landscape assessment, landuse and vegetation changes.

Dr. Jolanta Slowik
Georg-August-University
Goettingen
Faculty of Biology and
Psychology, Institute of Zoology
and Anthropology, Department
of Conservation Biology
37073 Goettingen
Bürgerstr. 50
Phone:+491704617020
jslowik@gwdg.de
Dr. Jolanta Slowik since 1995 lecturer at the Centre for Nature Conservation (at present:
Department of Conservation Biology) at the University of Goettingen.
Her research and teaching focused on nature conservation in developing tropical countries and
in Mongolia
Main topics of interest are:
Conservation strategies, biological monitoring with local people
Cultural aspects of nature conservation: Natural Sacred Sites
Evaluation of biodiversity and indicators of biodiversity
She is the co-author of book about “Cultural landscape in Central Europe as a habitat” 1997, UTB
für Wissenschaft and “Biological diversity and nature conservation: theory and practice 2012
KMK Scientific Press Ltd. Moscow.
She has participated in West Africa (Ivory Coast) in the projects of forest rehabilitation and
biomonitoring with local people and for many years (1996-2008) was active in the project
„Dynamic, protection and sustainable use of step forest in the Northern part of Mongolia.
She was the organizer and participant of many DAAD programs around the world.

Martin Kappas
Prof. Dr. Martin Kappas is Professor for Physical Geography and holds
the Chair of Cartography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and
Remote Sensing (RS) at the Institute of Geography, Goettingen
University. His research interest is the use of RS / GIS and in situ data
to study landscape dynamics, including land cover / land use change
(LULCC) for the future development and evaluation of ecosystem
services under changing societal development. Another long-term
research focus is the investigation of climate and human Impact on vegetation in Central Asia where
he developed methods for the acquisition of Biophysical variables (LAI, fPAR etc.) to model NPP, GPP,
NEP, and ecosystem services.

Krister Andersson (Professor)
Department of Political Science
University of Colorado Boulder
Campus Box 333
Boulder, CO 80309-0333
Office: Ketchum 115
Phone: (303) 492-7871
Fax: (303) 492-0978
Email:
Krister.Andersson@Colorado.edu
Website:
http://www.colorado.edu/ibs/cgnr/andersson/
KRISTER ANDERSSON (Ph.D., Indiana University, 2002) joined the faculty in 2005. His
current research focuses on the politics of environmental governance in developing countries.
Andersson's research has appeared in numerous journals and he is the author of three books.
The first, The Samaritans' Dilemma (Oxford University Press, 2005) examines the institutional
incentive structures of development aid and is co-authored with Clark Gibson, Elinor Ostrom
and Sujai Shivakumar. His second book features his dissertation work in Bolivia, published in
Spanish by Plural Editores (2005) in Bolivia ( ¿Cómo Hacer Funcionar La Gestión Forestal
Descentralizada?). His most recent book, Local Governments and Rural Development
(University of Arizona Press, 2009), which is co-authored with Gustavo Gordillo and Frank van
Laerhoven, compares the institutional conditions for public service performance in 390 local
governments in the rural areas of Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Dhirendra Bhargava, IFS
Chief Conservator of Forests
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department
Balaghat (MP) 481001, INDIA
E-Mail: bhargavad@hotmail.com
Work Profile :
 Responsible for management of forest on sustainable basis
 To coordinate between government and department for implementation of various
schemes.
 Supervise work of divisional forest officers.
 Allocation of funds to implementing agencies and collection of revenues. Human
resource development and management.

Smita Das is Government forest officer from Nepal. She completed her master
degree from Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany in 2014 under
DAAD scholarship.She also worked as watershed expert in President Chure Terai
Madesh Conservation Development Board under Government of Nepal. She has
numerous experience in CARE Nepal and other organization in Nepal. She also
has done research and published in few Journal.

Emilia Nercissians
Was born and raised in an Iranian Armenian family. Received her
B.A. in the field of Comparative History of Culture; MSc in Sociology
and Anthropology, and Med and PhD in Education. She has lectured
in several universities and colleges and has been serving as full time,
Associate professor at the Department of Anthropology, University
of Tehran since 1998. Her main research interests are in
sociolinguistics, bilingualism, cultural issues, impact of IT, gender
issues, semiotics and education. She is the author of several books
on Bilingualism, Gender Anthropology, Semiotics and education of
Minorities from historical perspective; as well as many papers
published in Iranian and international journals and presented in
various local and international conferences. She has been the
recipient of several research grants, chaired several international conferences, helped set up new
courses and programs as well as new scientific societies and institutions, and served on
administrative posts at the University of Tehran.

Dr. Ambika P. Gautam (Professor)
Dr. Ambika P. Gautam is a professor and the Principal of Kathmandu Forestry College,
Nepal. He obtained his PhD in Natural Resources Management (NRM) from the Asian Institute
of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He has around 30 years of experience in developing,
managing, and implementing NRM programs and teaching NRM and Forestry subjects in
reputed universities in Nepal and south-east Asia. Prior to joining Kathmandu Forestry
College, he worked for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development as its
Program Manager and Country Representative for Afghanistan, and served as a faculty
member in AIT. He led the team of experts in the development of Nepal’s National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan 2014-2020, and is currently serving as a Lead Author for the
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
in the Regional Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Asia-pacific region). His
research findings have been published in several international journals and conference
proceedings. He has also been serving as a peer reviewer for over 20 international scientific
journals published by reputed international publishers, including Elsevier, Springer, and Taylor
& Francis.
Email: gautam.ambika@gmail.com

Zhang Deshun had been the assistant director of Jinan Botanical Garden,
China and vice director of Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, China. He
devoted himself to the research for natural resources conservation and to use
all possible knowledge to improve the reforestation in degraded ecosystem
for all master planning projects in China. He participated in more than 20
research projects, published 170 papers, and planned 20 national parks and
tourism areas. He was also invited to evaluate the world heritage candidates
for IUCN and UNESCO every year.

Dr. RAKESH PANDEY
Principal Scientist
CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Govt. of India)
P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow – 226015, INDIA
E-mails: r.pandey@cimap.res.in; rakeshpandey66@hotmail.com
Major Research &Development Achievements
Translating the R & D work into effective crop protection in soil ecosystem and maintenance of
plant and of microbial diversity for sustainable agriculture have been my major area of interest
over the years. Some of the most important attainments are as follows-
 On rural development front as a nodal Scientist of Bio-village programme has been
launched in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India in 2011. Successful scientific intervention
in this programme has significantly improved the plant biomass, soil health, income
generation and improves quality of life of farmers besides development of agri-
entrepreneurship. This technology was adopted by over 2000 farmers
 Established microbial mediated consortium (Trichoderma harzianum strain Thu;
Bacillus megaterium JQ585719 and Glomus intraradices) sustained growth / yield of
agri crops and significantly reduced pests and diseases offering significant
curtailments of chemical fertilizers.
 Developed a complete recycling package for managing distillation and agro waste of
MAPs for the production of superior quality vermicomposts. Few microbes having
higher cellulolytic, exo-endo glucosidase, β-glucosidase activities have also been
included to reduce the decomposing period and this was also helpful in reducing
incidence of disease problems in agri crops. Quality vermicompost for the first time
introduced as a carrier of various bioinoculants in field which has better shelf life,
micronutrients and water holding capacity. Introduced a novel aspect of heavy metal
bioremediation particularly Cr. (VI) with the plant growth promoting microbes, serving
a dual purpose of plant growth promotion at metal contaminated soil.

WORK PROFILE- NIRMALA JOSHI PRADHAN, Ph.D.
 Dr. Nirmala Joshi Pradhan is chief of the Management and Extension Section Department of
Plant Resources, Kathmandu, NEPAL. She did her Ph.D. from Tribhuvan University Nepal. She
got DAAD Fellowship from April 1994 to December 1996 for M.Sc. Her field of expertise are
Biodiversity (Ethnobotany, Plant Taxonomy), Plant Conservation, Post harvest technology of
medicinal plants, Production of medicinal plants, wild fruits, Neglected and Underutilized
Vegetables, Floriculture, Landscape gardening, Agroforestry, Plant Propagation Techniques,
Biofertilizers. She has 30 Publications in Nepalese Journals and few in International. She has
attended International Conferences, Seminars, Workshops.

Dr. Ram Chaudhary
After completing the Ph. D. degree in 1969, started working as Junior Research Officer / Assistant
Professor in G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (GBPUAT), India. It was
during this period that DAAD Fellowship was awarded and on leave joined Technical University,
Munich, Germany. After return joined back the post and was promoted as Senior Research Officer /
Associate Professor in the same department of GBPUAT. A year later was also elevated to the post of
Associate Director of Crop Research Centre. Rice varieties bred by me spread to farmers fields and so
was the name. For this work I received Dr Rajendra Prasad Award of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research. It was after a decade at GBPUAT that in the year 1979 moved to Rajendra Agriculture
University (RAU), Bihar, India as Chief Scientist cum Professor Plant Breeding. After 2 years was
elevated to the post of Regional Director of Agricultural Research Institute, Patna of RAU. In 1984 got
selected as Rice Specialist of the World Bank in Nigeria. It was highly paying but academically non-
productive job and looked for alternatives. Fortunately, got selected as Plant Breeder by a CGIAR
organization called the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and joined in December 1989 with
posting in Cambodia. After almost 5 years of productive working got promoted as INGER Global
Coordinator and shifted to the head quarters of IRRI in Manila, Philippines. With rice varieties bred
by me, Cambodia, which was a basket case country, became rice exporter and grateful country
recognized this work by awarding a Gold Medal. INGER Global Coordinator was a challenging job of
germplasm collection, multiplication, exchange, evaluation and utilization in more than 100 countries
of the world. The job took me to most rice growing countries of Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Latin
America, Russia and USA. Professionally very satisfying job to meet hundreds of scientists and
administrators gave me real exposure to multi-culturalism. Truly global nature of work and help to
countries with weak rice research was rewarding in work and deeds.
After a decade I left IRRI in 1997 and worked for a year with USAID in Indonesia and the Philippines.
In the mean time Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) selected me as Chief
Technical Advisor-cum-Project Manager at the highest technical cadre of P5 and posted in Democratic
Republic of Korea (North Korea). FAO within a year realized that my experiences could be utilized
better elsewhere and shifted me to Myanmar. It was job of settling the 1.5 million returnees from
Bangladesh through crop, fish, and poultry production, and income generation. Need-based help was
given in cash, kind and training to anchor them to Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar. On 31st
December 2006 I said good bye to the beneficiaries, Myanmar and FAO due to my retirement from
the active service of UN. But FAO wanted to use my capacity to work in the hard atmospheres, thus
posted me as Retiree Project Manager in Iraq since January 2007. Iraq’s devastated seed industry was
supported by providing them hundreds of seed processing equipments and training to their more than
100 staffs in India. After that I was shifted to a similar challenging job in northern Uganda, devastated
by prolonged civil strife, where I worked until December 2013.
Time was passing and I wanted to give full benefit of my global experiences to my roots – my people
and invigorated my own NGO called Participatory Rural Development Foundation, Gorakhpur, India

Bangladesh through crop, fish, and poultry production, and income generation. Need-based help was
given in cash, kind and training to anchor them to Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar. On 31st
December 2006 I said good bye to the beneficiaries, Myanmar and FAO due to my retirement from
the active service of UN. But FAO wanted to use my capacity to work in the hard atmospheres, thus
posted me as Retiree Project Manager in Iraq since January 2007. Iraq’s devastated seed industry was
supported by providing them hundreds of seed processing equipments and training to their more than
100 staffs in India. After that I was shifted to a similar challenging job in northern Uganda, devastated
by prolonged civil strife, where I worked until December 2013.
Time was passing and I wanted to give full benefit of my global experiences to my roots – my people
and invigorated my own NGO called Participatory Rural Development Foundation, Gorakhpur, India
where I am still working as its Chairman. Real satisfying job is now.

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