A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999

This study examines NTFP collection, marketing, and management activities and the prospect of their promotion in two villages of Sindhupalchok district, with controlled and uncontrolled management systems. Qualitative and quantitative information were collected through household survey and RRA methods. NTFP have been an important source of income for a considerable proportion of households. However the, indiscriminate collection and lack of domestication due to the absence a comprehensive promotion program, several species of NTFP have been vulnerable to extinction. Relatively low farmgate prices of NTFP caused by very weak market price information dissemination system and lack of well-organized marketing have been other serious constraints of NTFP domestication. NTFP in national forests are being collected in a unsustainable way due to the open access status of these forests. The collection system is relatively sustainable in community forests. There is good prospect for the promotions of NTFP domestication as it contributes to generate income and employment opportunities. Majority of farmer' appreciate economic value of NTFP. Education status, land holding size and household labor force are important factors influencing NTFP collection and farmers' willingness to domestication. Biophysical conditions in the study area are suitable for NTFP domestication. Despite farmers' small land holdings it is possible to grow NTFP species on terrace risers, edges of uncultivated land, pakho land kharbari and gullies. NTFP should be promoted as an integral component of agroforestry. Emphasis should be given to the provision of effective extension and credit and marketing systems. It is necessary to hand over the government forests to local community as a strategy for sustainable management ofNTFP. And there is also need to carry out NTFP promotional activities in community forests, such as thinning, pruning, coppicing, and planting NTFP species in forests and degraded community lands. NTFP domestication, improvement and introduction of promising NTFP species in the existing farming system should be the focus of farm based research.