RESOURCE ASSESSMENT OF ALLO (Girardinia diversifolia) IN SELECTED VDCs OF ROLPA DISTRICT

Submitted to DISTRICT FOREST OFFICE, ROLPA

Submitted by DIPESH PYAKUREL & ARJUN CHAPAGAIN JULY 2011

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to acknowledge Mr Rajendra Niroula, District Forest Officer Rolpa, for coordination, facilitation and conceptualising the scope of study. We are thankful to Accountant Mr. Giri Raj Lamichhane; Rangers Ganesh Aiedi and Chandra Barmi, and other staffs of District Forest Office, Rolpa for their support and cooperation to carry out this work. We are grateful to Western Uplands Poverty Alleviation Project for the financial support. We acknowledge Mr Dev Bahadur Mahara, trainer of Allow thread for providing us the information on different aspects of Allo related enterprises. We would also like to thank Mr Dal Bahadur Mahara, Liwang Range Post; Mr Begam KC, Sulichaur Range Post; and Mr Man Prasad Budha of Gharitgaun Range Post for assisting us in field trip. Lastly, we would like to thank residents of seven VDCs who supported us during the field work.

Dipesh Pyakurel Arjun Chapagain

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

cm DFO DoF GPS ha m MoFSC NGOs NTFPs VDCs WUPAP centimetre District Forest Office, Rolpa Department of Forests Global Positioning System Hectare meter Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Non Governmental Organizations Non Timber Forest Products Village Development Committees Western Uplands Poverty Alleviation Project

Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... a ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... b PART ONE: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 LIMITATIONS............................................................................................................................ 2 PART TWO: STUDY AREA .................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 SELECTION OF SURVEY AREA .................................................................................................... 3 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA ...................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Temperature and Climate ........................................................................................................ 4 PART THREE: METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Primary Data Collection ...................................................................................................... 5

3.1.1 Key informant survey ........................................................................................................ 5 3.1.2 Resource mapping............................................................................................................. 5 3.1.3 Determination of harvestable size ..................................................................................... 6 3.2 Secondary Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 6 3.3 Data Processing and Analysis ................................................................................................... 6 3.3.1 Frequency ......................................................................................................................... 6 3.3.2 Density.............................................................................................................................. 6 3.3.3 Quantification of stock ...................................................................................................... 7 3.3.4 Sustainable harvest quantity ............................................................................................. 7 3.4 Report Writing ................................................................................................................... 7

PART FOUR: RESOURCE ASSESSMENT............................................................................................... 8 4.1 4.2 Plant Monograph ............................................................................................................... 8 Species recorded within the Quadrat ................................................................................. 8

4.3 Frequency and Density........................................................................................................... 11 4.4 Stock Quantification............................................................................................................... 12 PART FIVE: ALLO MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................... 14 5.1 Uses....................................................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Life cycle and growth ............................................................................................................. 14 5.3 Cultivation ............................................................................................................................. 14 5.4 Sustainable Management ...................................................................................................... 15 5.5 Value Addition ....................................................................................................................... 15 5.6 Conservation Status and Revenue .......................................................................................... 16 c

PART SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................... 17 6.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 17 6.2 Recommendation .................................................................................................................. 17 References: ................................................................................................................................. 18 Annex 1: Inventory Form ................................................................................................................ i

List of Tables
Table 1: Criteria for size, class determination for Allo ........................................................................ 6 Table 2: Plant species recorded within the quadrat ........................................................................... 9 Table 3: Frequency and density of Allo in surveyed VDCs ................................................................. 11 Table 4: Yield per hectare ................................................................................................................ 13 Table 5: Total potential yield of Allo in surveyed VDCs ..................................................................... 13

List of Pictures
Picture 1: Map showing surveyed VDCs of Rolpa district .................................................................... 3 Picture 2: Left: Habitat of Allo at Khumel; Right: Allo regenerating in natural habitat at Liwang-8 ...... 4 Picture 3: Temperature and Rainfall graph of Rolpa district (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/weather-averages.aspx?q=RPA) ................................... 4 Picture 4: Girardinia diversifolia: Left-Seedling; Middle- Mature plants in a cluster, and Right-A single mature plant ............................................................................................................................. 8 Picture 5: Density of Allo in survey area ........................................................................................... 12 Picture 6: Weighing the fresh bark in the field ................................................................................. 12

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background
Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) refer to all biological resources other than wood that may be extracted from natural ecosystems, managed plantations etc and can be utilized within the household, be marketed, or have social, cultural or religious significance (Wickens 1991). Trade of NTFPs is an important aspect of local culture in hilly regions and mountain districts of Nepal. NTFPs sub-sector in Nepal contributes about 5% of national Gross Domestic Production out of total estimation of about 15% from the whole forestry sector (Olsen and Helles, 1997). Collection and trade of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) support significantly to the economy of many people in Rolpa district. Rolpa is a repository of valuable NTFPs like Daphne bholua, Daphne papyracea, Valeriana jatamansii, Girardinia diversifolia, Zanthoxylum armatum, Swertia chirayita etc. For centuries, wild collection of NTFPs has been possible without major negative effects. But in the recent years, collection for commercial purpose has threatened the survival of many valuable species in the wild. Harvesting usually takes place before the maturation of plants and in most of the cases, the resource is being overharvested. The practice not only hampers the regeneration of the concerned species, but also poses threat to their long-term survival. Further, the scientific study for the estimation of valuable NTFPs is inadequate, resulting the overharvesting of valuable NTFPs. In this regard, District Forest Office Rolpa, in coordination with Western Uplands Poverty Alleviation Project (WUPAP) has planned to conduct resource assessment of potential NTFPs of the region. As a part of this approach, DFO Rolpa wished to carry out the resource assessment of Allo (Girardinia diversifolia) in selected VDcs of Rolpa district to harmonise the commercial utilization and conservation in the wild. Allo (locally known as Puwa " ") is one of the major NTFPs of mid-hill region of Nepal. Threads and fabrics made from Allo is one of the important NTFPs products of Nepal. The stem bark of Allo contains fibres with unique strength, smoothness and silk-like lustre. The fibre is used to make clothing since times immemorial. The fibre, thread and woven clothes are commercially traded in a few districts of Nepal, including Rolpa district. Resource assessment is an essential component of an adaptive management process and includes distribution, identification of its population, resource inventory and total natural harvestable stock. Resource assessment of Allo in Rolpa district is believed to create a balance between sustainable use and conservation. This report is believed to be a baseline as well as guideline for the sustainable utilization (quantification) of Allo for commercial Allo based enterprises within the district. Current resource assessment carried out in Rolpa district follow the procedures as outlined by Leaman and Cunningham (2008).

1.2 Objectives
Major objective of the proposed work was to carry out resource assessment of Allo (Girardinia diversifolia). Specific objectives were: To identify the pocket area of Allo in surveyed VDCs. To estimate population of Allo within the surveyed VDCs. To estimate quantity of Allo that can be harvested yearly on a sustainable basis. 1

1.3 Limitations
A systematic sampling method was applied but in few places, the horizontal and vertical transects were deviated because of the inaccessible slopes. Study time was before the monsoon but early rain throughout the country in 2011 causes the delay in field survey in few places. Soil type was not analyzed because of limited scope of the study.

PART TWO: STUDY AREA

2.1 Selection of Survey Area
A participatory approach was followed for the selection of the survey area. Consultation meeting with traders, entrepreneurs and District Forest Office staffs revealed that Allo was available in forests of more than 30 VDCs of Rolpa district. About 50.3% of the total district is covered by forests. The study area was selected in such a way that it represents almost all the ecological regions where Allo is naturally available. A total of seven out of 51 VDCs were selected for the study viz Liwang, Khumel, Hwama, Ghartigaun, Jaimakasala, Seram and Uwa. Refer to Map 1 for the surveyed VDCs.

Picture 1: Map showing surveyed VDCs of Rolpa district

2.2 Description of the Area

Survey area ranged from 1210m (Hwama VDC) to 2100m (Khumel VDC) and represents SchimaCastanopsis forest and Pinus roxburghii forest in the lower elevation while Aesculus-Juglans and Rhododendron forest on the upper elevation. Alnus Forest was recorded in the degraded gorges. Most of the surveyed forests are North, North-East or North-West faced helping to retain moisture for a longer period of time, an ideal habitat for Allo.

Picture 2: Left: Habitat of Allo at Khumel; Right: Allo regenerating in natural habitat at Liwang-8

2.3 Temperature and Climate

Altitude of Rolpa district ranged from 701m to 3639m therefore represents tropical to sub alpine region, resulting the wide range of climatic variation. Monsoon rain feeds the forest for about four months. Graph given below gives the mean maximum and minimum temperature, and precipitation days within a year in Rolpa district.

Picture 3: Temperature and Rainfall graph of Rolpa district (http://www.worldweatheronline.com/weatheraverages.aspx?q=RPA)

PART THREE: METHODOLOGY

Current work was completed in three phase viz primary and secondary data collection, data analysis and report writing.

3.1 Primary Data Collection

Primary data collection was done by following methods:

3.1.1 Key informant survey

Information on availability, spatial distribution and status of Allo was collected from residents of surveyed VDCs, traders, entrepreneurs and form DFO Rolpa staffs.

3.1.2 Resource mapping

Based on the information collected from field consultations, survey was conducted in seven VDCs of Rolpa district. Allo showed patchy distribution in the study area. A systematic sampling method was applied for survey. Several horizontal transects were laid in fixed distance (100m vertically) and quadrats were taken at an intervals of 200m along transect. However, quadrats in few places were deviated from transect line due to the inaccessible slopes. Quadrat of 5m X 5m was laid for the survey. A 1 X 1 sq m quadrat was laid for the seedlings to analyse the regeneration. Each quadrat was marked with GPS. Seedlings/saplings and mature harvestable sized plants were individually counted to find out the regeneration studies and current stock. Format of field data sheet is given in annex 1. Allo plants were counted and recorded during the survey while associated species were simply listed down to find out the vegetation type of the area. Two stages of Allo were recorded during survey namely seedlings/saplings and mature. Bark of harvestable/mature plants were harvested and weighed to find out the average yield per plant.

A 5 x 5 m quadrat 100 m vertical distance between two transects 200 m horizontal distance between two quadrats

Diagram: Illustration of quadrats laid

3.1.3 Determination of harvestable size

Seedling/sapling and harvestable size of Allo were determined as according to the following criteria:
Table 1: Criteria for size, class determination for Allo Criteria Seedling/Sapling Height Juvenile and without branching (less than 10 cm in height)-Seedlings Above 10 cm to 60 cm in height-Saplings Harvestable size More than 60 cm in height, and with greenish brown coloured bark

Seedling/sapling and harvestable size Allo in the surveyed area were determined on the basis of height and girth size. The plants that have girth of about 1.5 cm and brown coloured barks are regarded as mature.

3.2 Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data were collected from all the possible documents, reports, articles, maps, official records, and other published and unpublished materials from local institutions, DFO, DoF, MoFSC, WUPAP and other I/NGOs.

3.3 Data Processing and Analysis

Data obtained from the field was processed and analyzed manually to find out frequency, density, total stock, maximum allowable yield etc. Microsoft excel was used to carry out most of the calculations.

3.3.1 Frequency
Frequency is the number of sampling units in which the particular species occur, thus express the dispersion of various species in a community. It refers to the degree of dispersion in terms of percentage occurrence (Raunkiaer, 1934; Zobel et al., 1987).
Frequency No. of quadrats in which species occured 100 Total Number of quadrats studied

3.3.2 Density
Density expresses the numerical strength of the presence of species in a community. It is the number of individuals per unit area and is expressed as number per hectare (Raunkiaer, 1934; Zobel et al., 1987).
Density Pl/ha Totalnumber of plant of any spcies 10000 Totalnumber of quadrat studied area of quadrat

Data obtained from Density and Frequency was the basis for analyzing present stock and assumption of productivity.

3.3.3 Quantification of stock

Following steps were performed to quantify the stock of Allo in survey area. Total yield was calculated using the formula given by Stockdale (2005). 1. The bark of mature Allo was harvested and weighted. This process was repeated for 100 times and then finally the average fresh weight of a bark from a single plant was taken. 2. All the samples were kept in separate poly bags, tagged and sun/air dried for more than 10 days. The dry weights of 100 samples were taken and finally average dry weight of a bark of single plant was taken. 3. Density of Allo of a VDC was multiplied with fresh and dry weight of a single bark to estimate the total potential fresh and dry weight per hectare. 4. The yield per hectare was multiplied with total available area to estimate the total potential yield of VDC. 5. Total current stock (i.e total harvestable stock) was estimated by multiplying the density of mature plants with fresh and dry weight of a single plant, and then multiplying with the total available area.

3.3.4 Sustainable harvest quantity

Sustainable harvest quantity was calculated by cumulative values of density of mature plants, availability of seedlings/saplings and quantity of harvestable part.

3.4 Report Writing

All the observations, analyzed data and several secondary source data were compiled to prepare a resource assessment report on Allo.

PART FOUR: RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

Current resource assessment will attempt to find out the average yield per plant, total yield per hectare and in the VDC, and number of seedlings/saplings per hectare.

4.1 Plant Monograph

Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), locally known as Pua "" is a robust shrub reaching up to a height of 2m or more. Leaves are stalked, alternate, dentate, palmately divided with three distinct nerves running to three lobes. Size of mature leaf measures 10-24cm by 7-18cm. Leaf blade and stalk contains long awl-shaped bristles and stinging hairs. Flowers are sessile and borne on axillary and terminal branched spikes. Female spikes may reach up to 40cm long whereas male spike short but much branched (Polunin and Stainton 1984, Manandhar 2002). Flowers are green to yellowish green in color, flowering occurs in July-August and fruiting from September to early November. Allo shows wide distribution on the southern belt of the Himalayas. It was recorded from Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, NW India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Southern and Eastern Tibet, Sri Lanka, Northern Myanmar, China and Malaysia. It is distributed throughout Nepal at 1200-3000m in moist, forest areas with shade or semi shade, along the gorges, streams and tributaries and on the edge of the cultivated land. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic soils (Pyakurel and Baniya 2011). Allo is a perennial shrub (or sometimes annual) and propagates by seeds, root offshoots (new plant arising from root of old plant) and root suckers. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious, though the annual form is generally monoecious. Male and female parts are present in different spikes in monoecious plant. Pollination is anemophilous (Pyakurel and Baniya 2011).

Picture 4: Girardinia diversifolia: Left-Seedling; Middle- Mature plants in a cluster, and Right-A single mature plant

4.2 Species recorded within the Quadrat

Survey was carried out within the altitudinal range of 1210m to 2100m. A total of 108 species were represented within the quadrats in seven surveyed VDCs (Table 2). The lower belt i.e sub tropical belt of the study area is dominated by tree species like Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Salla (Pinus roxburghii), Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Kafal (Myrica esculenta) etc. Ground vegetation was almost dominated by Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum), Titepati (Artemisia indica), Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), grasses and ferns.

Guras (Rhododendron arboreum), Okhar (Juglans regia), Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Banjh (Quercus lanata) and Pangar (Aesculus indica) etc are dominant tree species of lower temperate mixed broadleaved forest. Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum), Viburnum erubescens, Telparo (Sarcococca hookeriana) and Allo (Girardinia diversifolia) are the dominant ground vegetation.
Table 2: Plant species recorded within the quadrat SN Scientific Name Local Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Aconogonum molle Aesculus indica Agave americana Ageratum anyzoides Albizia julibrissin Anaphalis contorta Anaphalis triplinervis Anemone rivularis Anemone vitifolia Arisaema costatum Arisaema flavum Arisaema tortuosum Artemesia indica Astilbe rivularis Bauhinia purpurea Bauhinia vahlii Begonia dioica Berberis aristata Bergenia ciliata Bombax ceiba Calanthe tricarinata Cannabis sativa Carex sp Castanopsis indica Centella asiatica Cirsium wallichii Cissampelos pareira Coelogyne nitida Colacasia sp Corydalis chaerophylla Cotoneaster sp Cythea spinulosa Daphne papyracea Datura suaveolens Dendrobium amoenum Dendrobium denduans Dendrobium eriiflorum Dioscorea deltoidea Diploknema butyracea Thotne Pangar Ketuki Gandhe Siris Buki jhar Buki phul Bagh paile Sarpa makai Chare banko Sarpa makai Titepati Thulo ausadhi Tanki Bhorla Magar kanche Chutro Pakhanved Simal Sunakhari Ganja Kharuki Katus Ghodtapre Khamvun Batul pate Chandigava Jaluka/Ban pindalu Okhre ghas Rukh unyu Lokta Chandigava Chandigava Chandigava Ban Tarul Chiuri

Family Polygonaceae Hippocastanaceae Agavaceae Compositae Leguminosae Compositae Compositae Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae Araceae Araceae Araceae Compositae Saxifragaceae Leguminosae Leguminosae Begoniaceae Berberidaceae Saxifragaceae Bombacaceae Orchidaceae Cannabaceae Cyperaceae Fagaceae Umbelliferae Compositae Menispermaceae Orchidaceae Araceae Fumariaceae Rosaceae Cytheaceae Thymeliaceae Solanaceae Orchidaceae Orchidaceae Orchidaceae Dioscoreaceae Sapotaceae

SN 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83

Scientific Name Drephanostachyum falcatum Drymeria diandra Engelhardia spicata Equisetum debile Euonymus sp Eupatorium adenophorum Eurya acuminata Fagopyrum sp Ficus sarmentosa Fragaria nubicola Girardinia diversifolia Gnaphalium affine Hedera nepalensis Hedychium ellipticum Jasminum humile Juglans regia Lyonia ovalifolia Macaranga indica Maesa chisia Mahonia napaulensis Malaxis sp Mazus dentatus Mentha piperata Myrica esculenta Oxalis corniculata Parmelia nepalensis Peltigra polydactyla Persea odoratissima Phyllanthus niruri Pilea sp Pinus roxburghii Piper mullesua Plantago erosa Polygonum sp Potentilla fulgens Primula sp Prunus cerasoides Pyracantha crenulata Pyrus pashia Quercus lanata Quercus semecarpifolia Ranunculus sp Rhododendron arboreum Rhus javanica

Local Name Nigalo Abhijalo Mauwa

Family Gramineae Caryophyllaceae Juglandaceae Equicetaceae Celastraceae Compositae Theaceae Polygonaceae Moraceae Rosaceae Urticaceae Compositae Araliaceae Zingiberaceae Oleaceae Juglandaceae Ericaceae Euphorbiaceae Myrsinaceae Berberidaceae Orchidaceae Scrophulariaceae Labiateae Myricaceae Oxalidaceae Parmeliaceae Peltigraceae Lauraceae Euphorbiaceae Urticaceae Pinaceae Piperaceae Plantaginaceae Polygonaceae Rosaceae Primulaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Fagaceae Fagaceae Ranunculaceae Ericaceae Anacardiaceae

Banmara Jhingane Bedulo Bhuin kafal Allo Buki phul Kathe lahero Kyamana Jai phul Okhar Angeri Malata Bilaune Jamanemanro SUnakhari Bawari kafal Chari amilo Lichens Lichens Kaulo Khareto ghas Kote salla Chaba Isabgol Bajradanti Painyu Ghangaru Mayal Banjh Khasru Guras Bhaki amilo

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SN 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108

Scientific Name Ribes glaciale Rubus ellipticus Rumex crispus Sarcococca hookeriana Schima wallichii Smilax sp Solanum xanthocarpum Stellaria media Swertia angustifolia Swertia nervosa Taraxacum officinale Thalictrum foliolosum Trifolium repens Urtica dioca Viburnum erubescens Viburnum mullaha Zanthoxylum armatum

Local Name Kembu Ainselu Halhale Telparo Chilaune Kukur daino Kanthakari Bihi Bhale chiraito Bhale chiraito Tuki phul

Family Grossulariaceae Rosaceae Polygonaceae Buxaceae Theaceae Liliaceae Solanaceae Caryophyllaceae Gentiniaceae Gentiniaceae Compositae Ranunculaceae Leguminosae Urticaceae Sambucaceae Sambucaceae Rutaceae

Sisnu Malo Timur Fern Gaderi Grasses Jingad Jusello Kabu jhar Sinua (Karuche) Syal fosro

4.3 Frequency and Density

A total of 148 qudrats, each of 25 sq m were laid in the surveyed seven VDCs. Population parameters like frequency and density is analysed in the table 3.
Table 3: Frequency and density of Allo in surveyed VDCs

VDC Hwama Ghartigaon Khumel Uwa Liwang Seram Jaimakasala

Frequency 75.00 81.82 50.00 73.33 87.5 71.43 69.23

Density (plants per hectare) 21167 18382 11233 7813 7400 6515 4492

Allo was most frequent in Liwang VDC with the frequency of 87.5%, followed by 81.82% in Ghartigaon VDC. Allo was least recorded in Khumel VDC with the frequency of 50% (i.e it was recorded in only half of the surveyed quadrats).

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Density (individuals per hectare)

25000.00 20000.00 15000.00 10000.00 5000.00 0.00

Density, Overall

Density, Mature

Density, Small

Picture 5: Density of different stages of Allo in survey area

Similarly, density of Allo was very high in Hwama VDC with 21,167 individuals per hectare, followed by 18,382 plants per hectare in Ghartigaon VDCs (Table 3 and Picture 5). Picture 5 shows that the density of small Allo is far higher than that of the mature ones, showing that the plant is regenerating very well.

4.4 Stock Quantification

A total of 100 samples of individual plant were harvested to find out the fresh weight of bark. These samples were taken randomly from different plots. It should be noted that the survey was completed in June, which is not appropriate for harvesting. Ideally the bark should be harvested during September-October when the yield will be high. The average fresh weight yield of an individual bark was 13.97 gm. The fresh barks were dried for about 10 days until it completely dries. Then the weight of barks was recorded. It was recorded that the bark contains high water and moisture content and therefore the weight loss was about 90%. The average dry weight of a single bark was 1.62 gm.

Picture 6: Weighing the fresh bark in the field

Table 4 gives the potential fresh and dry weight yield per hectare of Allo in surveyed seven VDCs. It should be noted that the density of all available Allo (both mature and seedlings/sapling) was 12

considered during the calculation. Allo will be ready to harvest in about 6-7 months time (i.e during September October) and yield per hectare is estimated for harvesting season.
Table 4: Yield per hectare

VDC Hwama Ghartigaon Khumel Uwa Liwang Seram Jaimakasala

Density (pl/ha) 21167 18382 11233 7813 6900 6515 4492

Fresh Weight (gm) 13.97 13.97 13.97 13.97 13.97 13.97 13.97

Yield per ha, kg fresh weight 295.70 256.80 156.93 109.15 96.39 91.01 62.75

Dry Weight Yield per ha, kg (gm) dry weight 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 34.29 29.78 18.20 12.66 11.18 10.55 7.28

Effective area of Allo availability: The effective area of Allo availability was calculated based on following data and information: a) b) c) d) Participant's information Habitat and distribution Forest types Aspect

Allo was distributed mostly in the mid sub tropical to mid temperate forest. At the same time it prefers moist soil. Therefore it is mostly found in the north, north east and northwest facing slopes below the mixed broadleaved forest. It was also available in the river banks and on the gorges. Not a single plant was recorded from open south facing slopes and in the Pinus roxburghii forest. The forest type as published by District Forest Office Rolpa was taken as reference for the estimation of current harvestable stock.
Table 5: Total potential yield of Allo in surveyed VDCs

VDC

Effective area of Allo availability (ha) 103.3 225.6 55.3 238.7 109.6 192.6 59.6

Yield per ha, kg fresh weight 295.70 256.80 156.93 109.15 96.39 91.01 62.75

Yield per ha, kg dry weight 34.29 29.78 18.20 12.66 11.18 10.55 7.28

Total yield kg fresh weight 30545.81 57934.08 8678.23 26054.11 10564.34 17528.53 3739.90

Total yield kg dry weight 3542.16 6718.37 1006.46 3021.94 1225.33 2031.93 433.89

Hwama Ghartigaon Khumel Uwa Liwang Seram Jaimakasala

About 6718.32 kg of dried bark can be harvested from Gharitgaon VDC. Similarly, 3542 kg of dried bark can be harvested during October-November from Hwama VDC. Similarly, 3021 kg of dried Allo bark can be obtained from Uwa VDC. Despite the low density in Uwa, the area of availability was very high therefore the total yield was very high (Table 5).

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PART FIVE: ALLO MANAGEMENT

5.1 Uses
The tender vegetative shoots and inflorescence are cooked as a vegetable. Roasted seeds are pickled. Roots are diuretic, aperients and tonic. The ash of the plant is applied in cases of ringworm and eczema. The root is mixed with Centella asiatica (Ghodtapre) and boiled for about 10 minutes, strained, and the liquidabout four teaspoons twice a dayis used to treat gastric trouble. The juice of the rootabout six teaspoons twice a dayis used to treat constipation. Fresh leaf juice is applied to treat headaches and joint aches. It is also considered to be useful in fever (DMP 1982, Manandhar 2002). The leaves are also used as tonic for cattle and root paste is applied on swellings (Ghimire et al. 2008b). Warm root juice is given to drunks for cooling effect in Dang (Rajbhandari 2001). Residents of hilly areas and ethnic groups have for centuries extracted and spun the fibre to weave durable jackets, porter headbands or straps, fishing nets, ropes, bags, mats, coarse clothing material, and blankets. Allo is known for its strength and durability. It is often lighter and more delicatelooking than its wild contemporaries, jute and hemp. Each hectare of Allo yields around 600kg of fibre under cultivation. Fibre is extracted on a commercial scale in some districts including Rolpa. Allo is traded either raw (dry bark), or semiprocessed (coarse fibre), or in processed form (cloth). Dried bark is traded anywhere between Rs.80 to 100 per kg; coarse fibre between Rs.350 to 380 per kg; and handmade cloth at Rs 350 per kg (Pyakurel and Baniya 2011).

5.2 Life cycle and growth

G. diversifolia is a perennial shrub (or sometimes annual) and propagates by seeds, root offshoots (new plant arising from root of old plant) and root suckers. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious, though the annual form is generally monoecious. Male and female parts are present in different spikes of a monoecious plant. Pollination is anemophilous (Pyakurel and Baniya 2011).

5.3 Cultivation
Allo is a fast-growing plant and is widely distributed in sub-Himalayan tracts of Nepal, which is why little effort has been paid towards its cultivation. Despite its economic importance, it is least preferred by farmers because of the stinging nettles. Further, farmers rarely cultivate species which are abundant in forests. However, it can be cultivated. The plant propagates best by seeds rather than by root offshoots. Allo can be grown on any type of land and can therefore be sown directly in the field. The seeds collected during November to February (Kartik-Magh) are directly sown during monsoons (Ashadh- Shrawan). Weeding is not necessary because Allo itself grows as a weed. However, weeding for the first few weeks is recommended. The plants can be harvested in a year. During harvesting, a few mature plants should be left behind to facilitate seed dispersal and to promote natural regeneration. Allo is harvested by

14

cutting the stem inches above the ground. The underground root develops offshoots and gives rise to a new plant (Pyakurel and Baniya 2011).

5.4 Sustainable Management

Premature and over-harvesting of Allo to fulfill commercial demands are the identified threats to its sustainability. People harvest Allo immediately after the monsoons and sell (to fulfill their needs during Dashain, the greatest festival of Hindus) without paying much attention to sustainability issues. Forest fires, open grazing, and anthropogenic activities like clearing the forest for cultivation are other factors affecting the plants sustainability in the wild. Harvest time and technique: Allo become harvestable after fruiting between August and October (Bhadra-Ashwin). Collectors prefer harvesting Allo during winter because the cold reduces the stinging effect. Collected plants should be thoroughly shaken to allow seed dispersal. The plants are cut with a knife inches above the ground and put in a doko. Forceps are used to hold the stem. Alternatively, collectors wear gloves during harvesting to be protected from the nettles. Allo harvested without uprooting the roots can regenerate within the next year. Further, it was also observed that proper harvesting increases the vitality of the plant and improves the quality of fibre. The dead outer bark is removed and the inner bark is peeled off. The dry bark is generally soaked for a few days in water before peeling it. The harvested bark is sun-dried for few days during which more than half its weight is lost. Moisture in the air and the bark itself may develop fungus; therefore, care should be taken during storage. The dried bark are bundled and stored in a dry place, before being sold to cloth manufacturers. Collectors themselves also weave the fibre sometimes. Harvest intensity: As Allo is widely available, its harvest is often carried out without resource inventory. But resource inventory is necessary for sustainability and maintaining a healthy population in the wild. Collection areas are divided into at least two blocks and mature plants are allowed to be harvested from one block every year. Ninety per cent of mature Allo can be harvested from a block, as per the guideline published by DoF for NTFPs. Harvest quantity and collection area needs to be altered if natural hazards like erosion or forest fires destroy the natural population.

5.5 Value Addition

Processing of Allo bark for the manufacture of fibre includes the following process: Digesting/cooking: The dried bark is soaked in water for one to two days prior to cooking. Bigger bark is separated by hand to make it into smaller pieces. The bark is put in a copper vessel with boiled water and ash or Kamero and kept on boil for three to four hours. Generally, 5kg of dried bark is boiled with 7-8kg of ash or Kamero. About 10-12 kg of firewood is required to cook 5kg of bark. The fibre is relatively softer when boiled with Kamero. The bark is left overnight in the copper vessel after cooking. Cooking time is reduced to two hours for freshly-collected bark. Alternatively, an improved cooking method has been proposed and been adapted in some districts. The bark is soaked in water with 4 per cent sodium hydroxide and 0.5 per cent sodium sulphide and cooked for two hours. This consumes less firewood (almost 40 per cent less) and the fibre is softer and relatively cleaner. But communities prefer to use ash because it does not callus the hand. 15

Beating and Washing: The cooked bark is cleaned in water by continuously beating it with a wooden mallet. Cleansing requires a lot of water, which is why it is usually done in streams and tributaries. It takes four hours to clean 5kg of bark and in turn yield 1kg of fibre. A person can wash up to 18kg of bark in a day. Cleansing: The washed bark is mixed with paddy husk, maize flour, or in a white clay solution and dried in the sun for five to six hours. The process softens the fibre and brings extra whiteness. Coarse fibre is cleansed again by repeating the earlier process. Finally, the fibre is separated manually. It takes more than one man-day to clean a kg of fibre. Bleaching: A mixture of 200gm calcium hypochlorite and 200gm sodium bicarbonate is poured in 20 litres of water and a kg of woven thread is kept in the solution for 24 hours. The threads are washed until the smell of the chemicals is completely washed away. This process removes black spots and other attached particles from the threads and turns them to a dull white colour. Alternatively, bleaching can be done by soaking the threads in 2 per cent calcium hypochloride solution for two hours. The threads are washed thoroughly and sulphuric acid is diluted to make a 0.005 per cent solution. The threads are soaked in this solution for another one to two hours. For the final bleaching process, the threads are dipped for three hours in a warm (70oC) solution of about 20 litres of hydrogen peroxide. The threads finally become white. Spinning: Spinning is either done with a self-constructed hand spindle made of wood or with a spinning wheel. A hand spindle is slower than the wheel but is preferred because it is light to carry and women find it handy and suitable for spinning during their leisure time or during other activities. It takes one man-day to weave threads for 1.5kg of fibre. The threads are either sold to entrepreneurs, or collectors themselves weave them to make coarse clothes. Spinning is also done with the help of sophisticated machines. Machine-woven thread is smoother and finer. However, these machines are not readily available and most urban entrepreneurs buy dried bark or coarse fibre from villages and spin them in the spinning industries. Weaving: Bleached white threads are coloured using natural or chemical dyes. The threads are sometimes mixed with cotton threads to make the fabric smoother. Two people are required to fix the loom (weaving machine). The fitness of the yarn depends largely on the skill of the spinner and also on the quality of the fibre. The yarn thus spun is woven on a back-strap loom.

5.6 Conservation Status and Revenue

The national and global status of G. diversifolia is not known. Its status in Nepal is not threatened and is abundant throughout the sub-Himalayan tracts of Nepal. The bark is harvested from national forests with the permission of District Forest Office paying Rs.5 per kg as revenue.

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PART SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Conclusion
In order to complement the sustainable management of Allo (Girardinia diversifolia), District Forest Office Rolpa along with Western Uplands Poverty Alleviation Project (WUPAP) wished to carry out the resource inventory of Allo in selected VDCs of Rolpa district. To fulfil this broad objective, the resource inventory was carried out in seven VDCS (viz Hwama, Khumel, Liwang, Ghartigaon, Jaimakasala, Seram and Uwa) of the district. A total of 108 plant species was represented within the laid 148 quadrats. Systematic stratified sampling method was adopted to find out the population parameters. Quadrat of 5m X 5m were laid to find out the mature Allo where nested 1m X 1m quadrats were laid to find out the regenerating ones. Girardinia diversifolia was distributed within 1241 m (Jaimakasala) to 2064 m (Khumel) within the study area. However 1500m to 1800m hosts highest number of Allo. North, Northeast and Northwest slopes host most of the Allo, along with streams and river banks. Similarly, it was predominantly found beneath the mixed broadleaved forest. It is mostly found below the forest composed of Alnus nepalensis, Aesculus indica, Juglans regia, Schima wallichii and Rhododendron arboreum. Allo was most frequent in the surveyed areas of Liwang VDCs, followed by Ghartigaon. Number of small plants (seedlings/saplings) were far higher than the mature ones, may be because of the growing season. Density of harvestable plants would be higher had the study been conducted during September- October. Density of Allo was higher in Hwama, followed by Gharitgaun and Khumel. Average fresh weight yield of a single plant was 13.97 gm. Similarly the average dry weight yield per plant was 1.62 gm. Yield per hectare was highest in Hwama (34.29kg dry weight/ha), followed by Ghartigaun (29.78 kg dry weight/ha). The total harvestable stock (per year) was analysed using participants information, analyzing its habitat and life cycle. However, the major basis of quantification was the forest types prepared by District Forest Office. The highest stock was recorded in Gharitgaon VDC with the total of 6,718.16 kg dry bark, followed by 3,542.16 kg in Hwama VDC.

6.2 Recommendation
District Forest Office Rolpa have to intensively carry out such resource inventory to quantify the harvestable stock of traded NTFPs. District Forest Office Rolpa needs to capacitate and train the junior field staffs to carry the resource inventory on their own. There might be over harvesting of Allo in few places (eg Hwama 8) and areas near the district headquarter. District Forest Office needs to be alert and have to carry out monitoring in the resource available sites to check and balance the harvesting of Allo.

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References:
DMP, 1982. Wild Edible Plants of Nepal. Department of Medicinal Plants, Nepal, Bulletin No. 9. MoFSC/DMP Kathmandu, Nepal. Ghimire S.K., Sapkota I.B., Oli B.R. and Parajuli-Rai R., 2008b. Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal Himalaya: Database of Some Important Species Found in the Mountain Protected Areas and Surrounding Regions. WWF Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal. Leaman D & Cunningham A.B. 2008. Resource Assessment: A Guide to Implementing Principle 1; Maintaining Wild MAP Resources. IUCN-SSC Medicinal Plant Specialist Group, ISSC-MAP. Manandhar N.P., 2002. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. Olsen C.S. & Helles F. 1997. Making the poorest poorer: policies, laws and trade in medicinal plants in Nepal. Journal of World Forest Resource Management. 8: 137-158. Polunin, O. & A. Stainton 1984. Flowers of the Himalaya. Oxford University Press. Pyakurel D. & Baniya A. 2011. NTFPs: Impetus for Conservation and Livelihood support in Nepal. A Reference Book on Ecology, Conservation, Product Development, and Economic Analysis of Selected NTFPs of Langtang area in the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. WWF Nepal. Rajbhandari, K.R. 2001. Ethnobotany of Nepal. Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal (ESON), Kathmandu, Nepal. Raunkair C. 1934. The life forms of Plants and Statistical plant geography. Oxford. Stockdale M. 2005. Steps to sustainable and Community Based NTFP management: a Manual written with Special referenced to South and Southeast Asia. NTFP Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia. [online] URL: http://www.iapad.org/publications/ppgis/stockdale_book.pdf Wickens G.E., 1991. Management issues for development of non-timber forest products. Unasylva, 42 (165): 3-8. Zobel D. B., Jha P.K., Behan M. J. & Yadav, U. K. R. 1987. A Practical Manual for Ecology. Ratna Book Distributors, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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Annex 1: Inventory Form

Quadrat No : Structural Parameters of Shrub Stratum Date: Altitude: m Forest Type: Aspect: Slope:
o

Latitude Longitude

N E

VDC:

SN

Scientific Name

Local Name

Total (no)

Mature

Young

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11