Non-Timber Forest Products: an alternative source of rural income

Abstract

Dandapakhar, in Sindhu Palchok District of Nepal, was the focus area for the Nepal Australia Community Resource Management Project to undertake action research on the potential of NTFPs as a source of rural income. The area is located along the Jiri Road at an altitude between 2000 and 3000 meters, and is rich in natural broad-leaved forest harboring a large variety of indigenously occurring species having medicinal, aromatic and other values. The species occurring in Dandapakhar have both traditional and non-traditional uses and (the potential to) command, in some cases, significant market prices, not only locally, but also in Kathmandu and
the international market.