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Resource Assessment of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.) in Bajhang District: A Detailed

Study from Kanda VDC

A REPORT PREPARED BY

DISTRICT FOREST OFFICE, BAJHANG

Consultant: Khilendra Gurung

June, 2008

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to acknowledge Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Shrestha, NTFP specialist- WUPAP for facilitating the field work in Bajhang district. I am particularly thankful to Mr. Lal Narayan Singh, DFO, Bajhang and other staffs of District Forest Office, Bajhang for providing survey data, field information, support and cooperation to carry out this work.

I am grateful to Prem Bahadur Bohora (Kanda village), Simal Rokaya (Jagera village), Mathbir Rokaya (Dhuli village) and all the local people for providing us the information of Seabuckthorn availability areas and their traditional use practices in Kanda VDC.

I would also like to thank Mr. Keshab Kunwar (Clerk), Keshab Kunwar (Forest guard), Jhalke Bohora and Ram Bahadur Khati –District Forest Office, Bajhang for assisting me in the field trip to Kanda VDC during the study period.

Special thanks goes to Mr. Rupak Ram Joshi-Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, LDFB, Bajhang for the overall information of the study area and for his kind cooperation during the study period.

Khilendra Gurung

June, 2008

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Abbreviations and Acronyms 0C: Degree Centigrade

cm: Centimeter

comm.: Communication

DANIDA: Danish International Development Assistance

DBH: Diameter at Breast Height

DFO: District Forest Office

E: East

ha: Hectare

HMG: His Majesty’s Government

kg: Kilogram

LDFB: Local Development Fund Board

m.: Meter

ml.: Milliliter

mm: Milimeter

N: North

NGO: Non Governmental Organization

No.: Number

NRs: Nepali Rupees

NSCFP: Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project

NTFPs: Non Timber Forest Products

pers.: Personal

pl: Plant

PRA: Participatory Rural Appraisal

RECAST: Research Center for Applied Science and Technology

TIP: Tree Improvement Program

VDC: Village Development Committee

WUPAP: Western Uplands Poverty Alleviation Project

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Table of Content

CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Introduction 1 1.3 Justification of the study 2 1.4 Seabuckthorn for livelihoods 2 1.5 Name and taxonomic position 3 1.6 Geographical distribution 3 1.7 Plant morphology 4 1.8 Environmental requirements 4 1.9 Conservation value 4 1.10 Objectives 5 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Physiognomy of Bajhang district 6 2.2 Study area 6 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Data collection 8

3.1.1 Biophysical data 8

3.1.2 Inventory technique 8

3.1.3 Socio-economic data 9

3.2 Data analysis 9

3.2.1 Density 9 3.2.2 Frequency 9 CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 Areas of occurrence 10 4.2 Distribution of Seabuckthorn 10

4.3 Density of Seabuckthorn 11

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4.4 Current stock of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC 11 4.5 Species association 12 4.6 Ecological status of Seabuckthorn 14 4.7 Male and female plant population 14 4.8 Fruiting and yield 14

4.8.1 Seabuckthorn juice 14

4.8.2 Seabuckthorn oil 14

4.9 Harvesting of fruits 15 4.9.1 Season 15

4.9.2 Technique 15 4.9.3 Problems 15

4.10 Local uses of Seabuckthorn 15 4.11 Uses of Seabuckthorn in other countries 15 4.12 Trading of Seabuckthorn 16 4.13 Pressure on Seabuckthorn 16

4.14 Identification of enterprises and their modalities to be set up in Kanda VDC 17

CHAPTER FIVE 5.1 Conclusion 18 5.2 Recommendations 19 REFERENCES 21 LISTS OF TABLES

Table 1: Density of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC 11

Table 2: Total stock of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC 11 Table 3: Frequency of associated species of H. salicifolia 12

Table 4: Potentiality for enterprise development in Kanda 17

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CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background

Bajhang district is rich in biological diversity that harbors several species of flora and fauna of

tropical to alpine regions. The plant species of both ecological and economic significance have

been distributed in the district which has been utilized by the local people in the form of

timber, fodder, fuel wood and other materials for domestic uses. In the varied habitats of the

district, there are various plants occupying special habitats which are the assets of the district.

The local people have been using them for their daily use as well as medicine and other

purposes for long time. Plants of the region have been serving as the base of ethno-botanical

knowledge.

Besides all these facts, there are lots of species whose actual distribution and potentiality has

not been assessed yet. The conservation, extension and utilization of such species can prove

instrumental for the improvement of sustainable livelihoods of the people residing in the

regions.

1.2 Introduction

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.), a wonder plant of the family Elaeagnaceae that occurs in higher

altitudes can serve the purpose of both conservation and development if exploited wisely.

Experiences in different parts of the world have shown that the plant is the source of food,

employment and income for the local people who depend on the nearby natural resources for

their livelihoods.

National Herbarium and Plant Laboratory, Plant Research Division, Nepal at Godawari has

specimens of three species of Hippophae, namely Hippophae salicifolia, Hippophae tibetana

and Hippophae rhamnoides. However, only two species of Hippophae viz, Hippophae

salicifolia and Hippophae tibetana are identified in the high mountain areas of Nepal (Rongsen,

1992; Rimal, 1995; Gupta et al., 2001; Vaidya, 2001 and Gurung, 2001). Out of them

Hippophae salicifolia exists in the relatively lower altitudes and Hippophae tibetana in the

higher altitudes. Generally distribution of both the species is confined in the moist sites

between 2000-4500m on the glacial deposits, alluvial and colluvial deposits along stream banks

and sunny slopes. In Bajhang, Seabuckthorn exists in different localities confined in the

specialized habitats. Though the existence of only one species has been reported in Kanda,

Surma, Daulichaur, Chainpur and Dahabagar VDCs of Bajhang (pers. comm.), the actual

status of the distribution and their economic potentiality has not been studied.

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In this strength of information and taking into consideration the potentiality of the species in

the district, District Forest Office (DFO), Bajhang/Western Upland Poverty Alleviation Project

(WUPAP)/ Local Development Fund Board (LDFB), Bajhang wished to carry out the detail

survey of the species in the Northern region of Bajhang based on the general survey carried out

by DFO during 2007/2008. Due to the fact that Hippophae tibetana is not present in the area,

this report is prepared based on the study about status and distribution of Hippophae salicifolia

in the region.

1.3 Justification of the study

Seabuckthorn berry is rich source of vitamins and it possesses a number of unique medicinal

properties which have a great potential to provide health foods and a variety of medicines.

However, despite being rich in exploitable potentiality, Nepal is yet to harness the rich potential

of Seabuckthorn in producing foods, medicines, juices and other cosmetic products unlike

other countries as China and India. Seabuckthorn is also equally important for firewood,

fodder and serves as soil binder species in fragile ecology of Nepal Himalayas. Such important

resource is largely underutilized in Nepal.

It has a tremendous potential role in improving the living standards of mountain farmers and in

maintaining the ecological stability. The plant, important for its environmental value and used

for various purposes, has become concern of only a few people and industries at one hand and

the resources have not been exploited to its full extent on the other (Rongsen, 1990). The

cause of such situation is due to the lack of adequate information of the resource in the

respective areas. Local people should have adequate information regarding the species.

Therefore, this study is considered essential in Northern part of Bajhang in order to find the

resource status and its potentiality to improve the livelihood of local residents along with

biodiversity conservation.

Although limited information is available about the species in the western and the extreme

eastern region of the country, there are gaps for the investigation of the species in far western

region where the study is concentrated. Therefore, distribution, status and the potentiality of

the species in the area are considered essential to be explored and identified scientifically. For

the detail study of Seabuckthorn in Bajhang, Kanda VDC was chosen taking into consideration

the socio-economic condition, availability of the resources, people’s willingness and potentiality

for the enterprise development in the region based on the survey data provided by DFO.

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1.4 Seabuckthorn for livelihoods

The natural resources of the mountain areas in Nepal are in no way abundant. But one of the

potential sources of income in the areas is Seabuckthorn bushes. Seabuckthorn provides a

number of products to rural poor people living in the high hills and mountains and fill

important ecological niches.

His Majesty’s Government of Nepal (HMG)/DANIDA, Tree Improvement Program (TIP) in

early 1996 started a number of activities concerning the Seabuckthorn development. In one

hand, it seeks to assist in conserving the existing Seabuckthorn resources especially in relation

to the gene base; on the other hand the program has started activities in order to help inspiring

and organizing the commercial exploitation of the resource. The later effort increases the

livelihood of the local poor people.

People from high mountain areas of Manang, Mustang and Taplejung districts have started

juice making and other products from Seabuckthorn since 2000. Some entrepreneurs have

started selling products in big cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu these days. Similarly, some of

the hotels and restaurants in the region have included the Seabuckthorn products in Menu and

Menu-boards. These activities altogether certainly increase the income and employment

opportunities for the poor people in the areas.

1.5 Name and taxonomic position

Seabuckthorn is the general term given to the shrub-tree Hippophae L. This genus belongs to

the family Elaeagnaceae. Rousi (1971) recognized three species of Hippophae: Hippophae

rhamnoides L., Hippophae salicifolia D.Don and Hippophae tibetana Schlecht. Hippophae

rhamnoides L. has been further divided into nine subspecies (Rousi, 1971).

Liu and He (1978) reported the existence of a new species, Hippophae neurocarpa S.W. Liu

et T.N. He. Again, Lian (1988) upgraded Hippophae rhamnoides, sub sp. gyantsensis, to an

independent species, viz Hippophae gyantsensis (Rousi) Lian. So, according to Lian’s

classification system there are five species and eight sub species of Hippophae.

1.6 Geographical distribution

The genus Hippophae is distributed between 270-690 N latitude and 70-1220 E longitude in the

world (Rousi, 1971; Ruiling et al., 1989; Yu et al., 1989). Hippohae rhamnoides has an

extremely wide distribution in Eurasia, from China Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey,

Romania, Switzerland, France and Britain to North Finland, Norway and Sweden. It grows on

hills and hillsides, in valleys and river beds, along sea coast and islands, in small isolated or

large continuous pure or in mixed stands with other shrub or tree species (Yao, 1994;

Schroeder and Yao, 1995). The remaining species of Hippophae have a rather limited

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distribution and occur only in China and some neighboring countries along the Himalayan

range (Rousi, 1971; Liu and He, 1978; Lian, 1988 and Yu et al., 1989).

Hippophae is the native plant of the mountain region of Nepal. This is reported from the

mountainous areas of Nepal such as Darchula, Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Jumla, Jajarkot, Baglung,

Mustang, Manang, Rasuwa, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Solukhumbu and Taplejung districts with

altitudes ranging form 2000-4500m (Vaidya, 1999; Gupta et al., 2001; Bhandari, 2003 and

Rawat, 2004).

1.7 Plant morphology

The morphological structure of Seabuckthorn shows much variation. It exists as a deciduous

dwarf shrub to a medium sized tree according to species accounting microclimatic adaptations.

Though Seabuckthorn is a hydrophyte, yet it has developed some xerophytic features.

Seabuckthorn is a dioecious plant species. Sex of the plant is not clear till the flowering stage.

Flowers are devoid of petals in both male and female plants. Male flowers produce four

stamens and female bears solitary ovary with only one ovule that develops into fruit in season

(Rongsen, 1992). The plant has a very strong tap and horizontal root system. A symbiotic

association has been found on roots of Seabuckthorn resulting root nodule formation

(Rongsen, 1992).

1.8 Environmental requirements

Ideal temperature for germination of seed is 240-260C. However, the plant can withstand

temperatures as low as –430C and as high as 400C. Seabuckthorn can grow in areas where

annual rainfall is 400-600 mm. Soil requirement of Seabuckthorn is sandy and silt loam with

good drainage (Rongsen, 1992).

1.9 Conservation value

Seabuckthorn is used as a garden plant in many European countries and the Canadian prairies.

Observations and surveys show that many birds and animals utilize Seabuckthorn for food and

shelter (Ma and Sun, 1986 and Anonymous, 1988). In Canadian prairies, Seabuckthorn serves

as a valuable habitat for the sharp tail grouse, Hungarian Partridge and Pheasant (Schroeder,

1995).

Characters such as wide ecological adaptation, fast growth, strong coppicing and suckering

habits coupled with efficient Nitrogen fixation (60-180 kg/ha per year) make Seabuckthorn well

suited for soil conservation, soil improvement and marginal land reclamation (Rongsen, 1992

and Khosla et al., 1994). Studies have shown that Seabuckthorn promotes the growth of

Poplar, Pine and other trees in mixed stands (Lei et al., 1983 and Shi et al., 1987).

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Furthermore, it contains nutritious berries containing protein and bioactive substances such as

sugar, organic acid, amino acid, carotene, flavones and vitamins (B, C, E and K). The vitamin

C content is 5-100 times higher than in most fruits and vegetables known (Rongsen, 1990,

1992, 1993).

1.10 Objectives

The overall objective of the study is to explore the sites of Seabuckthorn distribution and the

sites potential to extend them in Northern part of Bajhang.

The specific objectives are as follows:

• To observe and verify the survey data collected prior by DFO staff

• To assess the availability and distribution sites of Seabuckthorn in Northern part of

Bajhang

• To map potential spot having Seabuckthorn within the study area through participatory

approach

• To document the current use pattern of Seabuckthorn in the study area

• To prepare the management plan of Seabuckthorn

• To identify the potential community based forest enterprises that can be set up

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CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Physiognomy of Bajhang district

Bajhang district lies in the far western region in Seti Zone, Nepal. By covering an area of 3,

47,559.40 ha, it lies at 290 29’–300 09’ N latitude and 800 46’–810 34’ E longitude. The

altitudinal range varies from 915–7077m representing tropical, temperate and alpine types of

climate. The district is surrounded by the Tibetan plateau and Humla to the North, Bajura and

Humla to the East, Darchula and Baitadi to the West and Doti and Baitadi to the South.

Saipal, Arya and Nampa Himal are the major Himalayan peaks. Seti river, Surma sarovar,

Tima pond, Khaptad lake, Lokund lake, Khapar pond, Tilsari lake and Ramcha pond are the

major lake and river system.

Only 12% of the total land area is suitable for agriculture and 29.47% area is covered with

forest. Bushy type of vegetation and snow capped hills are of special interest.

The average rainfall in the district is 1343.9mm.The average temperature of the district was

recorded as 18.60C as highest temperature and 5.70C as lowest temperature.

The ecological zones of the study areas encompass Chir Pine, Alder, Himalayan Oak-Laurel, Mixed Rhododendron-Maple, Temperate Mountain Oak, Fir-Hemlock-Oak, Rhododendron, Birch-Rhododendron, Moist alpine scrub and Upper alpine meadows forest and vegetation types.

2.2 Study area

The study area viz. Kanda VDC lies in the Northern part of Bajhang district. Dhalaun, bank of

Bhusiya khola, Lokuntya and Khariya forests at the bank of Ghat Ganga river system, Jima

village at the bank of Ghat Ganga river system, Kanda village at the bank of Ghat Ganga river

system, Ram bagar at the bank of Seti river, Bebala forest above police check post in between

Jyati and Laphadi villages, Bastola and Koto forests above and below Jyati village, Melchour

forest in between Jyati and Laphadi villages, Laphadi khola, Laphadi forests in Laphadi village,

Gurgadh at the bank of Seti River, Maphu at the bank of Seti River, Kirmale Sain below Dhuli

village and Bangsara at Kailashmandu forest were the main fields of study area for the

observation and measurement of the Seabuckthorn resource. The map of the study area is

shown below.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Data collection

Both biophysical and socio-economic information were collected. Biophysical data were

collected and analyzed to find the status of Seabuckthorn in the area such as distribution,

diversity, yield and so on. Socio-economic data were collected to find local uses of the species,

potentiality of the species in the area and concerned issues. The study made use of both

primary and secondary information related to the objectives.

Primary data were collected using different tools like observation, measurement, group

interview, consultation with key informants and other relevant PRA tools. The school teachers,

local leaders, hotel owners, shepherds and farmers were the main key informants interviewed.

The secondary information was collected from related publications, research papers, District

Forest Office and other documents as per necessity. The secondary data were collected for the

verification of primary data and additional information as well.

3.1.1 Biophysical data

The observations and necessary measurements took place in the selected clusters. It is the best

way to sample populations for which there are no convenient lists or frame. It is based on the

fact that the species thrives more or less in natural groups or clusters. It is also the way to

minimize travel time in reaching scattered units of data collection.

Participatory forest inventory techniques as prescribed by NSCFP (2002) were also used to find

out as well as to analyze the complex and most interdependent variables like fruiting status,

resource condition and yield potentiality. Villagers from the nearby settlements participated in

the inventory and assessments.

3.1.2 Inventory technique

Quadrats of 10 x 10m2 in square plots were laid down randomly and the species was counted and

enlisted in each plot. Also, all the associated species were recorded. Generally the plant having DBH

more than 10cm is considered as mature tree. But Hippophae salicifolia is a small tree and in practice

the plants with DBH about 5cm are fully matured. So, 5cm DBH is proposed as matured tree for

Hippophae salicifolia (Gupta et al., 1999 and Gurung, 2001). From different plots, human interference

in Seabuckthorn was analyzed by observing the number of cut stumps.

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Associated plant species were identified on the basis of researcher’s knowledge and with the

help of reference literatures such as Polunin and Stainton (1997) and Stainton (1997) and

consultation with local people.

3.1.3 Socio-economic data

Participatory mapping, key informant interview and other PRA tools were applied for collecting

relevant social and economic information. Key informants were usually the local leaders,

traders, elderly persons having adequate knowledge and experiences, teachers and elite people

either single or in groups, DFO staffs and other relevant persons. Verbal open ended questions

were asked for the interview and discussions.

The researchers explored the sites of Seabuckthorn distribution in the region on the basis of

information provided by the local informants and records provided by DFO, Bajhang.

3.2 Data analysis

Collected data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Data obtained by using PRA

tools were analyzed qualitatively in descriptive methods whereas data obtained from inventory

technique were analyzed quantitatively. For vegetation sampling of Seabuckthorn, frequency

and density were analyzed according to Zobel et al. (1987).

Quantitative characters for vegetation analysis were calculated by using the following formulae:

3.2.1 Density

Density in general is the total number of individuals of a species in relation to definite area,

which gives the numerical strength of a species in given community (Zobel et al., 1987). Hence,

density is calculated by using the following formula:

000,10)(m quadrats of Area x sampled quadrats ofnumber Total

A"species" of sindividual ofnumber Total)/( 2 xhaptDensity =

3.2.2 Frequency

The frequency refers to the degree of dispersion in terms of percentage occurrence (Zobel et al., 1987).

The frequency of the associated species was calculated as follows:

100 sampled plots ofnumber Total

occured A"species"in which plots ofnumber Total)( xFFrequency =

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CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Areas of occurrence

Seabuckthorn is known by local as “Tarachuk” in the study area. Naturally growing

Seabuckthorn was found in well drained soils of silt or sandy loam or mixture of all different

proportions. Mostly Seabuckthorn were found in shaded areas where the moisture was good

enough. An important requirement for Seabuckthorn was found to be good drainage

condition. Furthermore, South, Southwest and West facing slopes were the best for

Seabuckthorn. According to the available literature the distribution of Hipppophae salicifolia

ranges from 2000-3500m and it was noticed in the field that H. salicifolia occurred between ca.

2100-2700m from Ghat ganga river bank to Kailashmandu forest above Dhuli village.

4.2 Distribution of Seabuckthorn

Regarding the distribution of Hippophae salicifolia in Kanda VDC of Bajhang , few names of

places can be listed as follows: Dhalaun, bank of Bhusiya khola, Lokuntya and Khariya forests

at the bank of Ghat ganga river system, Jima village at the bank of Ghat ganga river system,

Kanda village at the bank of Ghat ganga river system, Ram bagar at the bank of Seti river,

Bebala forest above Police check post in between Jyati and Laphadi villages, Bastola and Koto

forests above and below Jyati village, Melchour forest in between Jyati and Laphadi villages,

Laphadi khola, Laphadi forests in Laphadi village, Gurgadh at the bank of Seti river, Maphu at

the bank of Seti river, Kirmalesain below Dhuli village and Bangsara at Kailashmandu forest

were the occurrence sites of H. salicifolia in Kanda VDC.

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4.3 Density of Seabuckthorn

The highest density of Hippophae salicifolia in Kanda VDC was recorded in Gurgadh (6400

individual per hectare) followed by Maphu (6000 individual per hectare) and Melchour

(1133.33 individual per hectare), whereas the lowest density was recorded in Bastola and Koto

(240 individual per hectare). The details are presented in table 1.

Table 1: Density of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC

SN Spots No. of plants/quadrat No. of quadrats Density/ha 1 Kailashmandu 23 3 766.67 2 Kirmulesain 32 4 800.00 3 Maphu 60 1 6000.00 4 Gurgadh 64 1 6400.00 5 Laphadi 30 3 1000.00 6 Laphadi khola 8 1 800.00 7 Melchour 34 3 1133.33 8 Bastola and Koto 12 5 240.00 9 Bebala 8 2 400.00 10 Ram bagar 11 1 1100.00 11 Ghat ganga-Kanda 8 1 800.00 12 Ghat ganga-Jima 7 2 350.00 13 Lokuntya and Khariya 21 5 420.00 14 Bhusiya khola 12 2 600.00 15 Dhalaun 18 2 900.00

4.4 Current stock of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC

It is estimated about 74140 Seabuckthorn resource was recorded in about 82 ha area in Kanda

VDC. The current stock of Hippophae salicifolia in Kanda VDC was recorded as the highest

in Gurgadh (12800 individuals) followed by Maphu (12000 individuals) and Kirmulesain (8000

individuals), whereas the lowest stock was recorded in Ram bagar (1100 individuals). The details

of the current stock of Seabuckthorn are presented in table 2.

Table 2: Total stock of Seabuckthorn in Kanda VDC

SN Spots Density/ha Estimated total area (ha) Total plants 1 Kailashmandu 766.67 6 4600 2 Kirmulesain 800.00 10 8000 3 Maphu 6000.00 2 12000 4 Gurgadh 6400.00 2 12800 5 Laphadi 1000.00 5 5000

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6 Laphadi khola 800.00 2 1600 7 Melchour 1133.33 6 6800 8 Bastola and Koto 240.00 11 2640 9 Bebala 400.00 5 2000 10 Ram bagar 1100.00 1 1100 11 Ghat ganga-Kanda 800.00 3 2400 12 Ghat ganga-Jima 350.00 4 1400 13 Lokuntya and Khariya 420.00 15 6300 14 Bhusiya khola 600.00 5 3000 15 Dhalaun 900.00 5 4500 Total 82 74140

4.5 Species association

Various plant species were recorded from the study sites of Kanda VDC of Bajhang as the

associated species of Hippophae salicifolia. Among them few plant species with high frequency

and ecological similarities are expected as the true friends of H. salicifolia. The lists of

associated species with H. salicifolia are given in table 3.

Table 3: Frequency of associated species of H. salicifolia

SN Species Frequency (%) 1 Acer caesium Wall. ex Brandis 16.67 2 Alnus nepalensis D.Don 72.22 3 Alnus nitida (Spach) Endl. 2.78 4 Anemone rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex DC. 47.22 5 Arisaema jacquemontii Blume 2.78 6 Arisema flavum (Forssk.) Schott 8.33 7 Artemisia dubia Wall. ex Besser 13.89 8 Arundinaria sp 36.11 9 Aster sp 2.78 10 Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don 8.33 11 Berberis aristata DC. 27.78 12 Berberis asiatica Roxb.ex DC. 25 13 Cannabis sativa (Lam.) Small & Cronquist 19.44 14 Castanopsis tribuloides (Sm.) A.DC. 11.11 15 Cirsium sp 11.11 16 Cissampelos pareira L. 5.56 17 Clematis montana Buch.-Ham.ex DC. 5.56 18 Coriaria napalensis Wall. 11.11 19 Cotoneaster affinis Lindl. 8.33 20 Debregeasia salicifolia (D.Don) Rendle 2.78 21 Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Etting 8.33 22 Desmodium elegans DC. 8.33

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23 Diplazium sp 2.78 24 Erigeron sp 11.11 25 Euphorbia wallichii Hook. f. 8.33 26 Fagopyrum dibotrys (D. Don) H. Hara 13.89 27 Geranium himalayense Klotzsch 5.56 28 Geranium pratense L. 8.33 29 Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis 66.67 30 Gnaphalium sp 13.89 31 Juglans regia C.DC. 63.89 32 Leucosceptrum sp 13.89 33 Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude 19.44 34 Majus sp 13.89 35 Morina sp 5.56 36 Osmunda sp 5.56 37 Oxalis corniculata L. 5.56 38 Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. 5.56 39 Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks. 22.22 40 Plantago erosa Wall. 19.44 41 Popupus ciliata Wall. ex Royle 2.78 42 Potentilla sp 38.89 43 Primula sp 2.78 44 Prinsepia utilis Royle 100 45 Pteris sp 33.33 46 Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) M. Roem. 52.78 47 Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don 36.11 48 Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. 2.78 49 Ranunculus sceleratus L. 8.33 50 Rhododendron arboreum Sm. 13.89 51 Rhus wallichii Hook. f. 13.89 52 Ribes glaciale Wall. 5.56 53 Rosa sp 22.22 54 Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming 19.44 55 Rubus ellipticus Sm. 16.67 56 Rumex nepalensis Spreng. 52.78 57 Salix sp 19.44 58 Sarcococca hookeriana Baill. 16.67 59 Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. 2.78 60 Urtica dioica L. 50 61 Zanthoxylum nepalense Babu 2.78

The main associates of H. salicifolia were Prinsepia utilis (100%), Alnus nepalensis (72.22%),

Girardinia diversifolia (66.67%), Juglans regia (63.89%), Pyracantha crenulata (52.78%) and

Rumex nepalensis (52.78%).

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4.6 Ecological status of Seabuckthorn

Seabuckthorn occurred on the fragile lands with weak soil composition and unfertile river

fords. Newly emerging plants were grown abundantly along the fords where the associated

species were lacking. The plant species invade the barren lands as the pioneer species of

secondary succession. This species grown and flourishes with a short interval from altitudinal

point of view with occurrence in temperate regions at elevations ranging from 2100-2700m.

4.7 Male and female plant population

Male and female plants’ identification was based on fruiting behavior. According to the local information, Seabuckthorn usually comes into bearing fruits in every alternative year. But the assessment time was non fruiting season, therefore the males and females were not differentiated and consequently the existing ratio of these plants could not be differentiated. Regarding the level of fruiting, some local respondents opined that the fruiting status varies from year to year.

4.8 Fruiting and yield

The following assumptions were made to estimate the yield of the fruit:

1. The ratio of the male and female plants is equal (1:1) throughout the study area 2. All the female plants bear fruits

4.8.1 Seabuckthorn juice

Among 74140 plants estimated to be found in the possible habitat of the study area, 37070 should be females based on the assumption made and 50% of females bear fruits in one season i.e. 18535 plants bear fruits. According to the local collectors and assessment carried out by DFO, Bajhang in 2007, the average fruiting per plant is 2-5 kg depending upon the size of the plant. Therefore, in average the female plant yield ca. 3.5 kg of fruit in the season. Thus, the quantity of fruits that can be yielded per year in the study area equals to ca. 65 tons. According to Vaidya (1999) and assessment by DFO, Bajhang in 2007, the fruit contains 60% juice; on that basis ca. 39 tons of concentrated Seabuckthorn juice can be obtained per year from the study area.

4.8.2 Seabuckthorn oil

According to Singh et al. (1995) and Mekheyev (1989) the oil content in the seed of Seabuckthorn ranges from 5-8%. Thus, if seed occupies 10% of fruit’s total weight, ca. 3.25 quintals of the seed oil can be produced per year from the current stock in the study area.

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4.9 Harvesting of fruits

4.9.1 Season

The harvesting period of H. salicifolia may differ according to the local microclimate and

ecology. For H. salicifolia below 3000m, the best fruit harvesting period seemed to be late

October to mid November when the fruits ripe well with high content of juice.

4.9.2 Technique

Local people adopt the following techniques to harvest the fruits:

1. Slashing the branch: Collectors slash branches of Seabuckthorn and pluck off the fruits

using hands. For the large trees there is no other alternative than to slash the inaccessible

branches. The branches are carried to their houses and the berries are collected using the

stick.

2. Plucking the berries directly from the branches is another common practice for small

accessible trees.

After collecting the berries by any of the methods, they squeeze the berries and get juice which

is boiled enough to make semi-solid residue (concentrate) locally known as Chuk. The Chuk is

stored in bottle or gallon for the future use.

4.9.3 Problems

Due to long and spiny thorns on the branches, locally adopted harvesting techniques are much painful and time consuming one. Furthermore, the loss of resource due to slashing of branches to get berries is causing serious threat to the resource.

4.10 Local uses of Seabuckthorn

The local uses of Seabuckthorn in the study area were found poor. Most of the local people

were unknown to the values of fruits for health. They are unaware about the varieties of fruit

products produced and marketed in national and international markets.

Traditionally, very few people make traditional vinegar (Chuk) from fruits which is used to sour

vegetables and pickles, used as medicine to cure stomachache, burns and boils and as a source

of yellow dye to color threads to weave ‘Liew’. Sometimes H. salicifolia is used for fuel wood,

charcoal making and fencing.

4.11 Uses of Seabuckthorn in other countries

Human beings have used Seabuckthorn since eighth centuries, as recorded in the Tibetan

medical classics "the rGyud Bzi" (i.e. the Four Books of Pharmacopoeia), completed in the

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Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Li and Guo (1989). Based on the folklore as well as scientific

research, Seabuckthorn has become an important medicinal and nutritional product, especially

in Russia where it is referred to as “Siberian Pineapple” because of its taste and juiciness.

According to the literature of the former USSR, the products of Seabuckthorn fruit and oil

have been included in the diet of astronauts and as a cream for protection from cosmic

radiation (Besschetnov et al., 1989).

The Chinese experience with Seabuckthorn fruit production is relatively the recent one. The

Seabuckthorn based sports drinks “Shawikang” and “Jianlibao” were selected as the designated

beverages for Chinese Physical and Cultural delegation to the Olympic games in Seoul, 1988

and the Asian Games in Beijing, 1990 respectively (Rongsen, 1992).

These days a wide range of Seabuckthorn products have been formulated and marketed in

China, former Soviet Union and Mongolia. China is the leading Seabuckthorn producing

country with 13 million hector farming, 200 industrial products and annual turnover of US $

37.5 million.

However, in Nepal few Seabuckthorn products have been formulated by RECAST as

Seabuckthorn squash, jam, juice powder, wine and pickle (Vaidya, 1999).

In recent year local communities of Kanchenjunga, Langtang, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla,

Mugu and Humla in collaboration with Alternative Herbal Products P. Ltd. are extracting juice

from fruits and selling them in Kathmandu based markets (@NRs. 90-150 per bottle (650ml.)

as well as to the trekkers (@ NRs. 250-350 per bottle (650 ml.) in their respective localities.

4.12 Trading of Seabuckthorn

Seabuckthorn is getting less importance despite the richness of the resources in the area. The

following may be the reason for not getting more importance:

1. Unaware of its multiple uses

2. Traditional living style and business with Tibet

3. Transportation constraints

4. Prefer collecting Yarshagumba (Cordyceps sinensis) in the season as a source of income.

4.13 Pressure on Seabuckthorn

1. Natural: As it grows and invades in fragile and virgin soil, it has the high risk of mass

movement as well as flood wash. According to the local informants of Kanda village, large

patches of Seabuckthorn were washed away by Ghat ganga river flood 8 years before. At

present it was observed that only saplings are regenerating as pioneer species.

22

2. Man-made interference: Among the study sites Jyati, Laphadi, Jagara and Dhuli are highly

affected by human activities. Large numbers of cut stumps were recorded in those areas.

According to the local informants the migrated Humli people cleared the forest of

Seabuckthorn settled in Laphadi and Jyati villages. As an evidence of that fact, old trees

were observed in the cultivated lands and around settlements. Similarly, the local people

are now cultivating cereals clearing the existing dense shrubs of Seabuckthorn in Laphadi

and Jyati villages.

4.14 Identification of enterprises and their modalities to be set up in Kanda VDC

On the basis of the resource availability, possibility of handover processing technology/equipments and market linkage, the following are the potentiality for enterprise development in the study area.

Table 4: Potentiality for enterprise development in Kanda

SN NTFPs/ Products Potentiality for enterprise development

Modality of enterprise

1 Fruits of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia)

Juice and herbal drinks making

Proprietorship/household level

2 Seeds of Dhatelo (Prinsepia utilis), Pangar (Aeculus indica), Okhar (Juglans regia)

Edible oil expelling Proprietorship/household level

3 Allo Fiber processing and clothes weaving enterprise

Proprietorship/household level

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CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Conclusion

There is lack of adequate information in the local community regarding the use and benefits of the

berries of Seabuckthorn and its products. Except for making Chuk, neither the collection nor the

processing of the berries found in the region indicates that the local use of the species is mostly

limited to fuel wood. The local uses of the species in the study area in comparison to its potential

uses are almost negligible till now. Therefore, it is relevant to insist here that the possible

commercial and domestic uses of its berries have remained unexploited due to the lack of

adequate knowledge on this species.

The potentiality of tourism in the region and demand of Seabuckthorn products can create a great

deal of local and national level market for the variety of products produced from its berries in the

same way that the juice is being used as the substitute for the imported cold drink and other

imported fruit drinks as in Manang, Mustang and Kanchenjunga regions. The curiosity shown by

the some local people reveals that some innovative people in the locality will certainly start to

produce a number of products from the berries in the near future if the technical and financial

support is provided to them. Its production not only generates the income to the local people for

their livelihood but also ensures the goal of conservation of the resources.

Although the net area of the natural habitats for the species is very small as compared to the area

of the VDC, its occurrence is very near to the settlements. It clearly indicates that the small scale

processing of the berries can be carried out in the village by individual household level. It needs

neither huge production of its berries nor the large amount investment in the beginning.

Therefore, the species is potential for the small scale income generating activities of the local

people. It seems better to produce a variety of products from its berries in excess amount of its

present demand so that the surplus is consumed locally. It will help to capture the benefits of the

nutrients contained in it by the local people and to develop an independent local market of the

products.

In conclusion, the species is of tremendous potential for the area if the following recommendations

are included in the management plan for their effective implementation.

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5.2 Recommendations

The role of local people is quite important for the conservation, management and sustainable

utilization of Seabuckthorn, but “why and how to conserve and sustainably manage this resource”

is a big question challenging ever. So, the plans for the development and promotion of

Seabuckthorn in the study area, the following steps are recommended for immediate attention

from the concerned parties:

1. Awareness campaign: Almost all the people of the study area are unaware of the potentiality of

the species otherwise important for its nutritive, medicinal and income generating values. As a

result they are indifferent to its sustainable management. Its potentiality in improving the

livelihood of the local people cannot be overlooked since it has potential niche in the national

and international markets. At the first step, an awareness campaign should be carried out in

order to draw the attention of the people for the sustainable management and utilization of the

species. The campaign should also include the demonstration of all the products made from

the berries. The programs and activities implemented for the promotion should be launched

through different means of media to generate mass awareness.

2. Habitat management: The species should be extended in the sites that are similar to its natural

habitat. This will reduce the pressure on the existing resource base and generate further

opportunities for its enterprise development. There are a number of ways to manage and

extend the existing habitats. It includes diversion of natural water channels, irrigation channels,

establishment of nursery and distribution of seedlings/cuttings, controlled grazing of livestock,

division of root suckers and their plantation, thinning to maintain appropriate ratio of male and

female plant (1:8), pruning of dead, diseased and dying branches and so on. The proper

techniques of its habitat management should be adopted based on the ecological consideration

and the site feasibility. In the same way nursery should be established near its natural bushes so

as to avoid inbreeding and withering effects. Participatory approach should be applied for the

in-situ conservation of the species.

3. Technology development and transfer: For any species, the technology for propagation (either

vegetative or seed sowing), cultivation, sustainable harvesting and processing needs to be

tailored according to the indigenous practices, socio-economic background and quality and

quantity of products produced in the particular area. Though the appropriate techniques for

these aspects have already been developed for Hippophae rhamnoides, relevant information

for Hippophae salicifolia is lacking. Therefore, it should be developed and transferred to the

local people and it entails for the intensive as well as extensive researches on a long term basis.

25

External inputs for technology transfer and the skill development regarding its cultivation,

sustainable harvesting and value addition is essential. Moreover, exchange visits of

entrepreneurs and local farmers to other countries should be emphasized to reinforce the

further understanding and knowledge about the species and its research and development.

Field exposure and training should also be focused on. Collection, harvesting and processing

techniques of Seabuckthorn should be improved technically, in order to minimize the loss of

product.

4. Marketing: Local entrepreneurs and farmers should be confident of getting returns by selling

their products in the market. Buy back guarantee of the products ensures the production and

encourages the people to the business. Therefore, feasibility of market of different types of

products and the viable options for marketing management should be studied. Uses of

products and its market value should be informed to the business community and

entrepreneurs through different media. The role of different developmental organizations is

important in this regards.

5. Enterprise development: Since the actual production possibility has not been yet estimated for

the resource in the area, information about the total possible production capacity of the

resource is still lacking. Therefore, measurement of actual production in the area is a must if

any future enterprise in the region would be established. Development of community owned

small scale industry for juice making and preparation of other feasible products can be

beneficial to the local rural people. Hence, micro-credit programs at grass root level should be

initiated. For the sustainable utilization of the species on larger scale, NGO, cooperatives and

community based organizations should be involved. Analyzing the products produced from its

berries, appropriate policies should be developed and enacted.

As overall, Seabuckthorn should be given top priority in Northern Bajhang, so that its in-situ

and ex-situ conservation would be ensured. This declaration should be done forthwith to

recognize its medicinal and socio-economic values to the rural people.

26

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