Role of Non-Timber Forest Products in National Economy: A Case of Jajarkot District, Nepal

Non-timber forest products are the major source of income for mountainous countries like Nepal. This article attempts to explore a case of traded non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Jajarkot district and its contribution to the economy. Collection of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and resin tapping are some of the major sources of employment for a large number of rural people. 53 different types of NTFPs are traded from the Jajarkot district. Local people collect these NTFPs from the forest and export them within and outside the district mainly to India and China. Jajarkot district on average exported 1,590,681.72 kg NTFPs worth NRs. 3,819,271.6 (equivalent to USD 32,081.88) from the year 2015 to 2020 to the national economy through royalty. NRs. 2,246,719.4 (equivalent to USD 18,872.44) per year came from MAPs and NRs. 1,572,552.2 (equivalent to USD 13,209.4) from resin during the years 2015 to 2020. If this district could produce all the commonly available NTFPs in a large scale, then there would be a high possibility of transforming the current unviable economy into a practical and vibrant economy. A proper inventory, identification and sustainable harvesting, are essential to promote and conserve these NTFPs.


Introduction
Nepal is rich in biodiversity, both flora and fauna, at the ecosystem, species, and genetic level. Nepal ranks 10 th in terms of the richest flowering plant diversity in Asia and 31 st in the world (Bhuju et al., 2007). Nepal harbours 3.2% of the world's total flora, i.e., 11,971 species (GoN/MoFSC, 2014), but its diverse topographic and climatic variations ranging from tropical to the alpine tundra of high altitude Himalayas offer a variety of high-value non-timber forest products (NTFPs) throughout the country. Government of Nepal has categorized NTFPs into eight different categories: fruits and seeds (65), roots and rhizomes (48), leaves/stems (30), barks (25), whole plants (21), flower and fur (hair) (16), gum, resin and lac (8), and others (24), especially for collecting royalty (GoN/MoFSC, 1995). 12 species are prioritized for commercial cultivation and market promotion Das, 2008 cited in Kunwar, Ansari, andLuintel, 2009).
NTFPs are all forest products other than timber and firewood such as leaves, shoots, juice, barks, flowers, cotton, tannin, gum, resin, fruits, seeds, and roots . The main habitat of NTFPs is forest land. NTFPs are increasingly growing popular with national and international markets as they are important ingredients of several herbal cosmetics, herbal tea, food, medicines, etc. (Banjade and Paudel, 2008). The use and development of NTFPs is identified as one with the most important possible solutions to sustainable management of forests and uplifting the local economy (Wiersum and Ros-Tonen, 2005;Mukul et al., 2010;Kar and Jacobson, 2012). They have the potential for livelihood support, poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation, and economic growth of rural communities worldwide (Angelsen et al., 2014;Shackleton and Pullanikkatil, 2018;Reta, Girum and Mekonnen, 2020). NTFPs are subsistence as well as the main source of income; they have cultural and ritual values in traditional forest communities (Angelsen and Wunder, 2003;Sahoo et al., 2020).
There are more than 700 plant species that have medicinal value, of which 238 are in active use and 100 are in trade (Shrestha, Shrestha, and Shah, 2020). Trading of NTFPs started with the harvesting of lichen in the 1980s and other NTFPs have been rapidly identified and commercialized thereafter (Bista and Webb, 2006). A 1995 survey of producers, traders, and processors of NTFPs operating from the eastern border of the country to the mid-western town of Nepalgunj showed that a total of 100 entrepreneurs handled 42,000 tons of over 100 different NTFP items, equal to USD 26 million (Subedi, 1997). It was found that about 90% of total NTFPs exported to India annually from Nepal (Edwards, 1996).
Various studies show that the NTFPs sub-sector in Nepal contributes 5% of national GDP out of the 15% contribution from the forestry sector (Pyakurel and Baniya, 2011). Nepal is estimated to export around 33,000 metric tons of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) products with an annual revenue amounting around USD 19-60 million (MoFSC, 2009). The export value increased from USD 27.49 million in 2005 to USD 60.09 million in 2014. Nepal on average exported 13,230 metric tons MAPs products worth USD 39.34 million per year (Kalauni and Joshi, 2018) to more than 50 countries. Over 90% of the NTFPs are traded to India in crude forms without value adding processes, which provide lesser benefits to the local and national economy (ANSAB and EWW, 2000). Nepal, however, lacks the technical, financial, and guaranteed market capabilities for processed NTFPs. ANSAB (Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources) has reported that around 189,000 people work in the NTFPs sub-sector (MSFP, 2014), drawing between 15 and 50% of their household income (Karki and Bhattarai, 2012;MSFP, 2014).
In Nepal, the growing middle class and lifestyle changes also impact the trade in and prospects of NTFPs. Analysis of the royalty contribution of various forest products during the fiscal year 2015-16 illustrates that royalty from forest products estimated NRs. 930,606,243.39 (equivalent to USD 7,817,092.44). About 70% of the royalty was from only timber and only 6.56% was from NTFPs. The remaining 22% was from the royalty paid by community forest and private forests. Among NTFPs, the contribution of medicinal plants was only 3% (DOF, 2017). A large number of people, mainly in the hilly regions of western Nepal, are engage in collection of MAPs for their livelihood. About 215 Plant species are used for the treatment of 139 types of diseases by major ethnic groups in hilly districts of Nepal (Miya, Timilsina and Chhetri, 2020).
Herbs are highly used for traditional medicine followed by trees, shrubs, climbers, and grasses (Kandel et al., 2020). Therefore, if NTFPs are promoted well, this sector can contribute immensely to uplifting the socio-economic status of local people. Different laws, regulations, plans, and policies formulated by the Government of Nepal have also encouraged the development NTFPs sector. However, implementation of those plans and policies have not been effective (Schippmann, Leaman and Cunningham, 2006). A proper investment in NTFPs can create employment opportunities for local people reducing the youth migration to cities and foreign countries for jobs (Karki and Bhattarai, 2012). Thousands of rural people are involved in NTFPs collection and enterprises in different regions of the country. However, very little study has been conducted about contribution of NTFPs to the local and national economy. As far as Jajarkot district is considered, Manandhar (1995) has documented 60 medicinal plants with their local uses. The present study aims to explore traded NTFPs from the district and their contribution to the economy. The study will help to identify and prioritize potential NTFPs for uplifting local economy in the district.

Methodology
Online portals like Google Scholar and ResearchGate were primarily used to collect data . The data regarding the quantity of the MAPs collection and revenue generation from the forest of Jajarkot district was retrieved from the documents obtained from the Division Forest Office, Jajarkot. Project reports, annual reports of government of different dates were also cited to collect more information on medicinal and aromatic plants of Nepal. Collected data from various sources were analyzed and represented in tables and graphs with the help of Microsoft Excel.

NTFPs in Jajarkot district
From the analysis it was reported that a total of 53 types of NTFP species were traded from Jajarkot district (DFO/Jajarkot, 2020). These NTFPs belong to 42 families, of which Lauraceae family represent the maximum numbers of species. Alliaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Combretaceae, Rutaceae and Urticaceae families represent two species each, while the rest of the families represent only one species each. Two NTFPs were animal products (local name: Maha and Main) and one is a mineral extract (Silajit) ( Table 1).

Trading Scenario of NTFPs
In the fiscal year 2019-20, a total of 444,665 kg of MAPs was traded contributing a total of NRs. 3,620,500 (equivalent to USD 30,412) royalty to nation economy. Comparing the revenue of fiscal year 2019-20 with total revenue collected from MAPs in the fiscal year 2016-17 in the country (NRs. 32,914,092.40), it shows that Jajarkot district covers about 11% of total revenue collected from MAPs all over Nepal (DOF, 2017). Among different MAPs, the maximum traded species was Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum) that covered 28% of total traded MAPs. Whereas Setakchini (Polygonatum spp.) was the second most traded species (13%) and Pasanbed (Bergenia ciliata) was the third most traded species (11%) (Figure 2).

Trading Rate of NTFPs (MAPs)
In the fiscal year 2015-16, the amount of the NTFPs collected from national forests was 94,029 kg which provided revenue of NRs. 2019-20, the amount of collection increased to 444,665 kg and revenue generated was NRs. 3,620,500 (equivalent to USD 30,412.2) (Figure 4 and Figure 5). From this, we can conclude that the trading rate of NTFPs per year from Jajarkot is increasing. Increased rate of harvesting and trading may lead to loss of such valuable NTFPs in the area. NTFPs could be threatened due to unsustainable harvesting, habitat loss, deforestation, over-grazing, and lack of marketing (Uprety et al., 2010;Uprety et al., 2016). So, it is important to explore the distribution pattern of NTFPs in the district, harvest and trade valuable NTFPs sustainably, launch effective strategies and programs for the conservation, identification and sustainable use of NTFPs. Uprety et al. (2016) have suggested an integrated approach to promote sustainable use of NTFPs along with contribution to livelihood improvement and income generation for local people.  (MSFP, 2007). It has also enhanced employment opportunities for local people, especially for poor and excluded groups. The amount of resin extraction is decreasing year by year ( Figure 6). The reason behind decreasing the extraction of resin is the decreasing market value of rosin and turpentine in the Indian market. In this district, eight resin companies are involved in Chirpine resin extraction from more than 100 community forests (DFO/Jajarkot, 2020). In the fiscal year 2019-20, a total of 753,615.6 kg resin was collected from community forests that generated NRs. 9,043,387.   extinction. Creating a proper inventory and developing their sustainable harvesting protocol are the current need for conserving and sustaining these highly valuable NTFP species.