Linking Plant-Based Enterprises and Local Communities to Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal Himalaya

Nepal Himalaya harbors one of the globally significant biodiversity hotspots where poverty is acute and dependency o local communities on biodiversity high, with little alternatives for livelihoods. In such a situation, is it possible to generate enough economic incentives to local communities for biodiversity conservation in the areas where local people are dependent on the use of biodiversity for day-to-day subsistence. In this book, he examines three key elements of the system –biodiversity, local communities and enterprises –and their interrelationships in view of local livelihoods and sustainable management of ecosystem. The author discovers that enterprise-oriented community forest management can generate positive outcomes on both conservation and local livelihoods. Within the framework of Participatory Action research, the experimentation with 37 community forest user groups in 6 districts of Nepal Himalaya (Humla, Jumla, Dolpha, darchula, Bajhang in the west and Dolakha in the east) was made. The research makes extensive exploration on biological diversity in Nepal, distribution, policy, regulatory environment, conservation approaches, economic use, enterprise potentials of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity use ad management and impacts of enterprise-oriented community forestry on local livelihood, equity and conservation.