Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification: Expanding at landscape level through incorporating additional ecosystem services

Payment of Ecosystem Services (PES) is emerging as an important market-based solution to global efforts for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. Markets for the ecosystem services, for example – forest carbon in the ‘voluntary’ markets – are also emerging at global level. But the business transactions for these services severely suffer from a lack of credibility and transparency, one of the reasons for which could be the lack of ‘instrumentation’ developed for these markets. As Nepal has gained a unique experience in ‘group certification’ for forest management, such as those being awarded by Rainforest Alliance/Smartwood (FSC), as well as forest based enterprises certification awarded under ‘Chain of Custody/FSC’, it is extremely relevant that Nepal should now explore the potential of enhancing the economic and environmental benefits through expanding forest certification by incorporating additional ecosystem services.

In 2010, ANSAB joined hands with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), FSC and other partners to develop a multi-country project “expanding FSC Certification at Landscape level through Incorporating Additional Ecosystem Services (ForCES)” to be implemented with Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant and co-finance of various partners with the goal to improve and promote responsible forest management for a range of ecosystem services through the medium of FSC Certification. The project is being implemented in four countries namely, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia and Chile for four years (September 2011- August 2015), with a purpose to improve and promote sustainable forest management for a range of ecosystem services through the medium of FSC certification. The project will incorporate expanded and enhanced global and national environmental standards of FSC certification which are applied to emerging markets for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services as an initial step for upgrading successful models in order to improve ecosystem functions.

In line with the objectives, the project will concentrate on pilot testing FSC certification for ecosystem services the four countries, at the local level. And at the international level, a number of actions will take place; in particular, design and testing of new certification business models in various habitat and landscapes, and market promotion of Ecosystem Services based forest certification.

With the project, it is expected to have enabled a global system of expanded FSC forest certification targeting a few key ecosystem services with (present or future) market potential, established a few certified sites for ecosystem services and to have successfully proven the (monetary as well as nonmonetary) benefits through the mechanism of FSC certification, such as revenue generated through PES for forest operations and local communities. In the longer term, Dr. Alan Smith, Gordian Fanso and Stefan Salvador, the policy managers at FSC International Center as of an international conference on food security, natural resource management and rural development in 2011 in Bonn expect that FSC certification will incorporate expanded and enhanced international and national standards which are applied to emerging markets for additional ecosystem services, so providing fully integrated measures of responsible management for whatever purpose within the forest management unit and the wider landscape.

In Nepal, the project is being implemented in two landscapes of Dolakha district namely, Charnawati (approx. 45,500 ha) and Gaurisankar (approx. 76,290 ha) encompassing 26 VDCs and one municipality and representing 15 ecological zones. The major ecosystem services considered in these two pilot sites are tourism, carbon enhancement, hydrological services, disaster risk reduction and NTFPs.

Know more on ANSAB’s current projects >>>

CFUG Enterprise Development Revolving Fund: An option to enable ultra poor for micro-enterprise development

Bajhang district, located in far western Nepal, is one of the most remote and rural areas with the lowest human development index in the country. Majority of the population in the district depend on traditional subsistence farming which further entangles them in financial burden and hinders their escape from extreme poverty. ANSAB focused its program in the district on enterprise orientation and entrepreneurship development which includes capacity building of communities for identification, planning and development of enterprises and enhancing enterprise management and production capacity – all to develop the basic capacity of the target groups to be engaged into productive enterprise and generate some economic returns on their labor. The previous programs focused on the Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) have shown concrete results in forest management practices, proven by FSC certification, however, the lack of access to finance and the resultant risk averse nature of the communities have been hindering the process of enterprise development for the poor communities in the area. Although there are provisions for CFUG group fund which provides a start-up capital for some micro-enterprise development; these are not enough for the many enterprise development activities in demand.

ANSAB through a Ford Foundation funded project – Transforming Local Communities into Enterprises for Economic Security in Nepal (August 2007 to July 2010) – supported the community by providing seed money to 13 CFUGs to establish CFUG Enterprise Development Revolving Fund (EDRF). These EDRF grew to a sizeable amount of Rs. 259,569 (equivalent to USD 4,000 in 2010) through contribution from CFUG funds, interests collected from loan provided through the seed money, CFUG and other organizational grant, income of CFUG enterprises and incomes from various fund raising traditional and cultural activities. Each CFUG developed a subcommittee to manage the EDRF with the coordinator selected from within the executive committee of CFUGs.  These fund management committees also developed their guidelines and operating procedures with ANSAB’s support to the committees in capacity building on accounting, book keeping, group mobilization, enterprise selection, planning of funds and loan management. Since the inception of the revolving fund, the fund has provided loans of Rs. 371,377 to 58 entrepreneur and community enterprises with a 100% repayment record.

ANSAB’s experience in revolving fund shows that the productive utilization of these funds depends upon strong fund mobilization mechanisms, appropriate selections for investment and above all unbiased and transparent selection criteria. In case of ultra poor members, the selection of enterprise is even more crucial since it has to be weighed against their ability to perform the required tasks and their skills and experiences in doing so. Similarly, communities have realized that they need to increase the size of loans to attract large enterprises and start marketing their services to a wider audience since they now have the financial capacity to do so.

Learn about ANSAB past projects >>>

PUBLICATION

Value chain studies published online by the partners

USAID Nepal and High Value Agriculture Project in the Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP) have published the value chain reports that ANSAB prepared last year for the Nepal Economic Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity, a USAID funded contract being implemented by Chemonics International Inc., and the SNV Netherlands Development Organization to provide insights for intervention designing and program implementation. ANSAB provided its support to the NEAT in carrying out in-depth value chain/market assessments of the four agricultural commodities – Orthodox Tea, Ginger, Lentils and Off-season vegetables, and to SNV in carrying out value chain analysis of ginger sector in the HVAP project districts.

1.     Find Value Chain/ Market Analysis of the Off-Season Vegetable Sub-Sector in USAID Nepal website (PDF 1.04 MB) >>>
2.     Find Value Chain/ Market Analysis of the Lentil Sub-Sector in USAID Nepal website (PDF 1.04 MB) >>>
3.     Find Value Chain/ Market Analysis of the Ginger Sub-Sector in USAID Nepal website (PDF 1.33 MB) >>>
4.     Find the Value Chain/ Market Analysis of the Orthodox Tea Sub-Sector in USAID Nepal website (PDF 1.34 MB) >>>
5.     Find the Value Chain Analysis of Ginger subsector in HVAP website (Word 2.7 MB)>>>

EVENTS

Stakeholder Forum Workshop on a voluntary national draft quality-of-governance standard for sustainable management and use of forest biomass in Nepal

University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Australia, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan, and Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) organized a two day Stakeholder Forum Workshop on a voluntary national draft quality-of-governance standard for sustainable management and use of forest biomass in Nepal on 13 – 14 December 2011. The workshop as a part of a research- designed by USQ for developing principles, criteria and indicators of forest governance standard, and it developed verifiers or sub standards for the indicators developed by USQ by online questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews of key stakeholders.

Read the news in USQ’s website >>>

ANSAB presents in HVAP workshop

Value Chain Experts from ANSAB presented on the preliminary findings of the value chain and baseline studies of the select four products – Turmeric, Off-season Vegetables, Goat and Timur in a regional value chain consultation and intervention strategy development workshop conducted by the High Value Agriculture Project in Hills and Mountain Areas (HVAP) on February 15 and 16, 2012 in Nepalgunj. ANSAB is providing its technical services to HVAP for conducting value chain analysis and baseline assessment of the four products with special focus on nine districts of Mid-western and one district of Far-western Development Regions.

IN BRIEF

blue moon fund (bmf) supports ANSAB for the next phase of the Nepal Center of Excellence in Rural Development project

After the first year of implementation of the project – Nepal Center of Excellence in Rural Development, the blue moon fund (bmf) has supported ANSAB to build on the success and to a) ensure wider dissemination and maximum use of the recently developed toolkits and develop most needed new toolkits; b) institutionalize knowledge gathering, analysis and dissemination through the creation of Demonstration and Experimentation Centers; and c) develop a system of policy advocacy through regular production and dissemination of evidence-based, ready-to-use recommendations for policy-makers and civil society stakeholders. During the first phase of the project, ANSAB successfully developed eight prioritized rural development toolkits for promoting sustainable forest management and integrating community enterprises into value chains, developed 5 most needed service packages and a strategic document to strengthen ANSAB Resource Center (ARC).

ANSAB also solicits the preference of the rural development toolkits and training packages from different organizations for their wider dissemination and maximum use. If you need more information on the project and or have preference over the training packages, please contact us.

ANSAB’s experience on climate change adaptation and mitigation through community-based sustainable management of forests published in the Mountain Forests in a changing world

FAO-hosted Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation published “Mountain Forests in a Changing World” on December 2011 to raise awareness on the global importance and the need for sustainable management of these unique ecosystems, also in view of the many threats that are increasingly endangering it (such as, for instance, deforestation, population growth, the expansion of intensive agriculture, etc.). The publication also features a case by ANSAB that focuses on climate change adaptation and mitigation through community-based sustainable management of forests in Nepal.

Download the case by ANSAB (PDF, 785.5KB) >>>

Download Mountain Forests in a changing world (PDF, 3.51MB) >>>

Green Business in the Himalaya now available on YouTube

A video documentary produced last year by ANSAB has been uploaded on the ANSAB YouTube Channel. The video entitled Green Business in the Himalaya – Pioneering Market Driven Solutions to Improve Livelihoods and Conserve Biodiversity features ANSAB assisted enterprises in seven districts of Nepal involved in production and marketing of several non timber forest products including handmade paper, essential oils, juice and bio-briquettes; and also captures the principles adopted by the organization to support local communities for enterprise development.

ANSAB has also produced the Nepali version of the video with the title Basera Hudaina (staying idle is not an option). You can contact us if you need further information.

Volume 2, Issue 3: December-January-February-March 2011/12

ANSAB’s Executive Director recognized as a Champion of Asia-Pacific Forests

Executive Director Dr. Bhishma P. Subedi has been recognized as a “Champion of Asia-Pacific Forests” by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the Asia-Pacific Forestry Week (APFW) 2011 in Beijing China. FAO conducted a process to identify “Champions of Asia-Pacific Forests” to help recognize and celebrate success of exemplary contributions to forests and forestry, and recognized Dr. Subedi as one of the two “Champions” along with Ms. Nely P. Alzula, President of Regional CBFM PO Federation, Philippines. In a publication, FAO has stated that the basis of selection of Dr. Subedi for the award is his more than 20 years of constant involvement, contributions and energy devoted to biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in Nepal and to make a difference. Dr. Subedi received the recognition in an award winning ceremony on November 7, 2011 during the APFW reception.

Download the profile of the Champions of Asia-Pacific Forest including Dr. Subedi >>>

ANSAB’s Chairperson appointed as the CEO of Nepal Investment Board

The Government of Nepal has appointed ANSAB’s chairperson Radhesh Pant as the Chief Executive of the Nepal Investment Board on November 28, 2011.  The Investment Board is envisioned to give a one-window solution to potential investors in big projects over Rs 25 billion with the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Nepal, and will start its operations after Pant’s appointment as the chief executive. Mr. Pant was recommended by the selection committee for the appointment procedure as one of the three names among some eight candidates. Mr. Pant is currently the chief executive officer of Kumari Bank and has a long professional and impressive background with experiences including the managing director of Bank of Kathmandu that he turned into a robust financial institution after his appointment. Pant’s appointment as the chief executive is expected to smooth inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) by creating investment friendly environment by facilitating investment in infrastructure projects and projects with large capital base.

See the ANSAB Board of Directors >>>

Capacitating SMFEs for policy advocacy: ANSAB forms a SMFE Policy Working Group

The policy and regulatory environment include various formal and informal policies on access to resource, forestry laws, incorporation options, investment codes, pricing legislation, labor regulations, tariffs, interest rate ceilings, import and export procedures and tax regulations. Small and Medium Forest Enterprise (SMFE) policy factors affect in different ways including raw material acquisition, registration, financing, marketing and others. Specific to SMFEs in Nepal there are many unsolved policy issues that are related to establishment of enterprises, taxes, royalties on privately grown NTFPs, commercialization, environmental impacts, export formalities, harmonization in policies, gap between policies and practices, supporting programs and priorities, labor issues, etc.

ANSAB has formed a policy working group to promote Nepalese SMFE sector in one of the stakeholders’ workshop. ANSAB organized the workshop on present national policy provisions and practices related to SMFE sector on November 3, 2011 with participation of entrepreneurs, journalists, development persons and representatives from different associations and Federations involved in the sector. The workshop worked on the national policy issues related to SMFE sector, discussed on way forward, and unanimously formed a seven member policy working group with following members:
1.     Govinda Ghimire, President, Nepal Herbs and Herbal Products Association (NEHHPA)
2.     Pradeep Maharjan, CEO, Agro-Enterprise Center, Federation of the Nepalese Chamber and Commerce (FNCCI)
3.     Devendra P. Dhakal, Chairman, Herbal Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (HEAN)
4.     Ramu Subedi, Services Support Unit Management Team Leader at Multi Stakeholder Forestry Program, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC/SSU)
5.     Bal Bahadur Rai, National Executive Committee Member- Eastern Development Region, FECOFUN
6.     Harihar Sigdel, Head, Planning Division, Department of Forest, Government of Nepal
7.     Puspa Lal Ghimire, Manager, Pro-poor Economic Development Program, ANSAB

The policy working group will work on the identified policy issues, disseminate the issues to the relevant stakeholders, prepare policy briefing with specific recommendation, and build a constituency with concerned interest groups and institutions to lobby for policies that safeguard the interest of community based, environmentally friendly SMFEs.

Read more >>>

Briquette Producers’ Association of Nepal: Outset of a sustainable and professional business system for briquette sector in Nepal

Briquette Producers’ Association of Nepal has been established in Nepal with facilitation from ANSAB under the Forest Connect Initiative in Nepal. The Association has been established to address the issues, challenges and opportunities of the sector in order to build a sustainable business system for the benefit of the producers. In Nepal there are significant numbers of briquette enterprises in different parts of the country and they have taken considerable efforts to enhance production and marketing of the products since more than half decades. However, their efforts are unsuccessful because they are taken at individual levels by the enterprises, which are themselves distributed in different parts of the country. There are also opportunities linked to the briquette sector in Nepal because briquette is being used by the general public as an alternative to electricity and imported fuel by the general public. With this view in mind, ANSAB in association with Himalayan Naturals – a leading a briquette producing and marketing company based in Kathmandu – realized for an association to promote the sector in the country. The organizations identified and communicated with the major briquette producers of the country, and organized their meeting on August 20, 2011 at ANSAB Headquarters, Kathmandu. Participants discussed on the issues, challenges and opportunities of the briquette sector in Nepal, and on the constitution of the briquette producers’ association.  The meeting finalized the constitution, unanimously elected a seven-member executive committee, and developed a year work-plan of the Association. The developed work plan includes the registration of the Association, formation of quality control committee, preparation of guidelines on production technology, research on binding/ignition materials and technology, coordination with government and non government organizations, resource mobilization of the association, entrepreneurship development, area diversification and exposure visit within the first year, which the Forest Connect Program Coordinator Sudarshan Khanal believes will guide for building a sustainable and professional business system for the benefit of the briquette producers and the sector.

Read more on the news >>>

Learn about Forest Connect initiative in Nepal >>>

PES market options: ANSAB’s learning from Translinks

Payment for Ecosystem Services, REDD, REDD Plus, and the evolving global carbon markets; understanding  how each can be incorporated into conservation and poverty alleviation strategies has been one of the goal’s of USAID supported TRANSLINKS (Linking Natural Resources, Economic Growth and Good Governance). Translinks is a Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society, in partnership with the Earth Institute’s Center for Environmental Research and Conservation at Columbia University, Enterprise Works/VITA, Forest Trends, and the Land Tenure Center at the University of Wisconsin, and is designed to support income growth of the rural poor through conservation and sustainable use of the natural resource base upon which their livelihoods depend.  ANSAB has been working with Translinks partner, EnterpriseWorks/VITA to prepare a PDD (program design document) that will offer a model and best match for community forest user groups in Nepal. “ANSAB and its Nepali partners have been developing the technical components and benefits sharing mechanisms needed for payment for ecosystem services, including carbon markets, but it is through the Translinks Program that we are able to learn about our various market options” says ANSAB’s Executive Director Dr. Bhishma Subedi.  “Being able to learn from other Translinks partners that are working on PDDs with community groups has helped ANSAB and Nepal’s Community Forestry Groups (CFUGs)  to better explore options for Nepal” notes Ann Koontz of EnterpriseWorks/VITA.

Know more on Translinks >>>

Find ANSAB’s projects >>>

PUBLICATIONS

Annual Report 2010

ANSAB has released its electronic version of 2010 Annual Report in its website. In addition to the traditional facts & figure about the organization’s operations, the report contains project per project updates, highlights of the year, as well as reflexive piece by the Executive Director. An update of our Impact Tracking System also reveals that ANSAB’s interventions to date generated sales of US $7.61 million in annual monetary benefits for 80,327 economic participants while bringing 100,959 hectare of forest and meadow areas under the improved community management of 400 Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), representing 61,073 households (HHs).

Download the report >>> (PDF, 3.22 MB)

Celebrating success: Stories of FSC certification

FSC International Center has published a book Celebrating success: Stories of FSC certification with stories of FSC certification around the globe. The book includes the stories of diversity of ways in which FSC certification can bring social benefits with cases from Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa; hugely diverse in geographical location and type of forest, product, ownership, processing and management objectives. However, all the stories point to one conclusion: certification brings clear, concrete and real benefits. The book has included a story from Nepal with a title Certification brings the market to the mountains that highlights FSC certification of community forests improving access to international markets for non-timber forest products and leading to better forest management.

Download the book >>> (PDF, 1.7MB)

Read the story from Nepal included in the book >>> (PDF, 509KB)

Med Herb Green Pages 2011

Rawal Medherbs Consultants Private Ltd., a well known Indian publisher has published Medherb Green Pages (MGP) 2011 (India, Bangladesh and Nepal), that includes the trade information related to herbs and their allied products in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The company has been publishing the MGP series since 2003 and the publication in past years has included the trade information of India and different countries including Nepal, Indonesia, Germany, Netherland, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Dubai. Since last year, ANSAB started to work with the Rawal Medherbs in collection and compilation of information from Nepal resulting to the 2010 and 2011 publications.

Find detail information on the MGP >>>

Find the preview of the current issue >>>

Contact ANSAB to purchase the book >>>

MARKET PRICES

	Nepal		India
Chiretta	425	–	640
Spikenard	405	–	700
Indian mastiche	275		424
Madder	92.5		128
Himalayan rhubarb	55		73.25
Indian valerian	162.5		315	–
Dried ginger	185		200
Cinnamon	62.5		80	–

November 2011 prices in NRs./Kg. Average of five markets (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for Nepal, Delhi, Tanakpur, Lucknow and Kolkata for India). Variations calculated from the previous month.

Consult the complete price list (32 products) >>

IN BRIEF

ANSAB provides its technical services for handmade paper production in Papua New Guinea

ANSAB’s handmade paper technician Mr. Palden Sherpa provided a 45 days training for the local communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to make handmade paper in the country. Mr. Sherpa was in PNG from last week of August to the mid October in invitation of PNG’s leading retail/wholesale organization – City Pharmaceutical Limited (CPL) to reproduce ANSAB’s working experience in Nepalese handmade paper in the country.  ANSAB’s technical service to PNG came into effect after ANSAB and CPL developed a partnership in 2010 for a fact finding mission in PNG to initiate pilot projects within local communities to conserve forest resources and maintain ecosystem services and make communities take steps to responsible harvesting of their natural resources. ANSAB will also be providing its expertise to CPL to identify enterprise options for communities and design interventions for community enterprises development and environmental conservation. ANSAB will also work with CPL to find markets for the finished products.

Class of 2011 of Future Generations Graduate School concludes with their Graduation Ceremony in Nepal

The Class of 2011 of the Future Generations Graduate School received Master’s Degree of Applied Community Change and Conservation in their Graduation Ceremony on October 29, 2011 organized by the School in Kathmandu in collaboration with ANSAB. The students were in Nepal following their Peru Residential for the preparation and presentation of their final practicum; the students, Dean, Faculty Members, and the chairperson of the Future Generations, Daniel Taylor visited ANSAB office and the fields. During their stay in Nepal, ANSAB’s Executive Director Dr. Bhishma Subedi who is also an adjunct professor the Graduate School co-taught course on Human Ecology, and the ANSAB team supported them for their field in ANSAB program areas. A total of 15 students from different countries including United States, Canada, Bangladesh, Peru, Tanzania, Guyana and Burundi graduated from the School this year.

Aveda logo from http://cathysellsknoxville.com/aveda-training-institue-coming-to-ktown/

ANSAB’s Partners – Himalayan Biotrade and EnterpriseWorks/ VITA meet with Aveda Leadership

Khilendra Gurung, Manager of Himalayan Biotrade Private Limited (HBTL), a certified Wildlife Friendly® company and Ann Koontz,EnterpriseWorks/VITA visited Aveda’ s Headquarters in Blain, Minnesota to discuss with senior management the Aveda-Nepal partnership. For the fourth year, Aveda has featured Nepali handmade lokta bark paper in this holiday gift line. The ANSAB, HBTL, EWV and Aveda partnership was first supported by USAID which launched the Nontimber Forest Products Certification and Marketing Alliance in 2002. Now, ten years later the public-private partnership continues to grow with a tripling of product sales and work on new product development.

See Aveda’s weekly special on Holiday gift featuring Himalaya >>>

Read Aveda’s stories on Fighting poverty with paper >>>

REDD+ pilot project: Initiation of Forest Carbon Trust Fund in Nepal

A pioneering approach by Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) along with two other partners International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and Federation of Community Forest Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) has resulted to the establishment of the first Forest Carbon Trust Fund (FCTF), and distribution of the performance-based financial incentive to local communities in Nepal.  The pilot FCTF has been established under a NORAD funded REDD+ project being implemented since 2009 in 104 community forests in three watersheds – Kayarkhola of Chitwan district, Charnawati of Dolakha district and Ludhikhola of Gorkha district of Nepal.

FCTF was initiated in 2010 to explore how governance systems can be adapted to implement performance-based REDD+ at the local level within a community forestry setting. The aim is to harness learning that can be applied by policy decision makers and practitioners, and to develop capacity-building systems that can be used to implement REDD+ at the national level. Priority is given to ensuring that payment mechanisms are equitable, respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and are sustainable in the long run. On June 14, 2011, FCTF was formally established with a US $100,000 seed grant from NORAD by a multi-stakeholder task force that comprised the members from Government’s REDD Forestry and Climate Change Cell, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), ANSAB, ICIMOD, FECOFUN, and Joshi and Bhandari Company.

Structure of the FCTF

FCTF governance system and functions are designed by the multi-stakeholder task force and approved by national and local stakeholders through a consultative and feedback process.  Structurally FCTF consists of three layers; i) Community forest users’ groups (CFUGs) are functional at the ground level, ii) watershed REDD network (WRN), watershed level FCTF advisory committee (WLFAC) and watershed level FCTF monitoring committee (WLFMC) are functional at the second level; and iii) Project management unit and Central FCTF advisory committee are functional at the central level. Each CFUG fills up the claim invoice form after completing their forest carbon survey with details on forest carbon, social data, and tentative plan for utilizing the claimed fund. The CFUGs then submit their claim to the watershed REDD Network. Watershed REDD network then compile details from every CFUGs of watershed and prepare watershed level claim invoice. After preparing watershed level claim invoice it is presented to the WLFAC. Data supplied by WRN is approved by WLFAC after verifying whether data is correct either by direct monitoring or from recommendation of WLFMC. The approved watershed level claim invoice is then processed at project management unit (PMU) at central level. The PMU collects claim invoice from all watersheds and prepares payment slip, stating the amount of fund that should be released to each watershed. This payment slip is passed to Central FCTF advisory committee (CFTA). CFTA then approves payment slip after ensuring that data submitted by each watershed is correct either from recommendation of verifying agency and/or direct monitoring. The approved payment slips are then forwarded to each watershed. After receiving fund, WLFAC distributes the fund as per the criteria developed and data submitted by CFUGs. Thus, each CFUG receives the amount as per their carbon stock data and social data.

Performance-based payment under the Fund

Last June, FCTF distributed US $95,000 among the three watersheds based on four basic elements established by the task force:  1) the quantity of forest carbon saved above the baseline, 2) the number of households of indigenous peoples and minority groups, 3) the female population and women, and 4) the number of poor households within the project area. Based on these elements, Charnawati watershed received $ 45,534.93, Kayarkhola received $21,904.94 and Ludikhola watershed received $27,560.13. Once the fund was released to each of the watersheds, the amount of the reserve fund at each watershed was determined by the watershed level FCTF advisory committee decided the amount of reserve fund (Ludikhola kept a reserve fund of NRs. 150,000 (US $2,142.86), Kayarkhola NRs. 100,000 (US $1,428.57) and Charnawati kept NRs. 100,000 (US $1,428.57)). Remaining money has been distributed among CFUGs in Ludikhola, however, Kayarkhola FCTF advisory committee has retained half of the money and distributed only half fund. Major reason for retaining half of the distributable fund was to ensure that CFUGs performed activities as per the plan. The CFUG has to spend the money on activities that reduce deforestation and forest degradation. The activities should include alternative energy promotion, conservation of forest carbon stocks, Sustainable management of forest, biodiversity conservation, enhancement of forest carbon stocks, poverty reduction/livelihood improvement activities, forest carbon monitoring, awareness raising and capacity building on REDD and climate change, and auditing of FCTF and verification of data.

REDD working group with members from three watershed after payment (Photo: Nabin Baral, ICIMOD)

Till now the pilot project has completed one cycle of fund flow, and there is need to monitor for the proper utilization of the fund. As this fund is established for rewarding CFUGs for their forest conservation, deforestation reduction and forest carbon stock enhancement, it is important that CFUGs use the fund for encouraging these activities. For this proper and timely monitoring of their plan and activities are important. The learning from the FCTF, which has been currently taken into consideration only for community forests, can be utilized by government and other stakeholders for other forest management regimes. This will encourage scientific management of government managed forests as well as other forest management regimes.

Read ANSAB’s press release on distribution of the fund to the CFUGs >>>

Know more about the project >>>

Malikarjun Natural Products Pvt. Ltd.: An example of a successful Community based marketing model

A marketing company – Malikarjun Natural Products Pvt. Ltd (MNPPL) established in Darchula has shown that the community based marketing model can be successful in addressing the major challenges to obtain benefit from Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), link producers and traders and increase income at local level.

While NTFPs have been widely regarded as the income source for the local people and especially poor, there are major challenges in obtaining substantial benefits from NTFPs at local level. Some of the challenges at local level are lack of practices on value addition and product diversification, low knowledge on quality parameters, limited input supply, lack of reliable market information, unorganized market, limited access to finance, and lack of proper infrastructure. These challenges have caused disorganized trade, unfair competition among traders because of less market centers, disorganized trade, loss due to lack of quality segregation, high business risk, not fair price for producers  and low trust among the actors of the chain. These constrains have social, economic and physical impacts to the rural livelihood especially to poor and ultra poor who are highly dependent on these natural resources for income and other requirements.

With a project Enhancing Livelihoods and Reducing Poverty of Mountain People by Linking High Value Products and Services to Value Chain Development, funded by FORD Foundation and in partnership with ICIMOD,  ANSAB considered the challenges at the local level. The project performed a thorough sector review in two far western remote districts, Darchula and Baitadi that were selected on the basis of high abundance of natural resources and the prevailing high poverty rate. The project identified Ritha as major high value product and prepared participatory upgrading strategies targeting to benefit the actors along the value chain through product upgrading, process upgrading, functional upgrading, market upgrading and governance interventions. These strategies incorporated various activities from initial resource management and harvesting to final stages of creating market linkages. The major part of the project was in formation of community based marketing company – Malikarjun Natural Products Pvt. Ltd (MNPPL)- which has equal participation and shareholding from producers and local traders.

The members of MNPPL in a meeting, inset is the building of MNPPL

The  company became successful in certain extent in achieving its main objectives to organize trade, capacitate producers, traders and locals, increase and contribute to local economy by reaping benefits of economies of scale in natural products trade,  increased bargaining power of locals, providing fair price to producers, conduct value addition activities etc. The local producer and traders were strengthened in the NTFP trade from their locality and were placed in better position in the value chain. In its first year of operation, MNPPL was able to organize the trade and channelized 162 MT of Ritha through it. The company generated Rs 162,000 (US $2,314) as profit from this transaction, part of which later was distributed to 8 sub-groups each with Rs 3,000 (US $42.85) and to 5 CFUGs each with Rs 2,000 (US $28.57). For the first time, the company was able to create a market linkage with Kathmandu based exporting company, which provided premium price for their Ritha. This opportunity provided them with extra income and alternative market for their product as well as created awareness among local producers and traders on issues of quality and value addition. MNPPL was able to generate several employments who are directly and indirectly involved with it including 1 permanent staff, 2 seasonal staffs, 40 women for sorting and grading activities and 85  people for weighing, packaging and transportation. Similarly, the company also provided producers with Rs 2 extra for the better quality Ritha.

The trust relationship between producers and traders has also strengthened after the establishment of the company. A local trader, Mr. Lokendra Bam, expressed his satisfaction after a good business of Ritha last year. He added that “the establishment of the similar type of the company on other parts is also necessary for assuring people for their safe investment, build trust among producers and traders and for greater access to market information.” A local Ritha producer, Mrs. Manmati Bohora, on the similar way, was very content on the price she received for her product and mentioned that “After sorting I found more than 90% of Ritha were of high grade and I was able to sell those in higher price to the company”.

Special News: ANSAB forms Advisory Board

Last May ANSAB formed an Advisory Board with international experts and practitioners from different geographical regions in the fields most relevant.  The advisory board provides strategic input to both the Board of Directors and the management team to maintain the organization’s achievements and improve its effectiveness, outreach and impact. Currently the Board consists of six international experts and practitioners in the fields most relevant to our work. Current  Advisory Board members are Dr. Bill Carmichael (Independent Consultant, USA), Dr. Michael A. Rechlin (Dean, Future Generations Graduate School, USA), Mr. Peter deMarsh (Vice Chair, International Family Forestry Alliance (IFFA), Canada), Mr. Martin Simard (Senior Communication Advisor, Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada), Dr. Uday Raj Sharma (Expert, Biodiversity Conservation and Policy, Nepal) and Dr. Utz Dornberger (Program Director, Small Enterprise Promotion and Training, Universität Leipzig, Germany).

ANSAB believes that the expertise of all the members of the Board will continue to immensely contribute to the organization’s success in achieving its dual mission of pro-poor economic development and biodiversity conservation.

Know more about ANSAB Advisory Board Members >>>

MARKET PRICES

	Nepal		India
Chiretta	425	–	550
Cinnamon	57		80
Dried Ginger	237.5		276
Himal. Rhubherb	105		136	–
Indian Gooseberry	97.5		112.75
Indian Mastiche	275		482	–
Indian Valerian	155		300	–
Madder	72.5	–	140
Prickly Ash	190		130
Rock Foil	30		41.5
Soap Nut	20		38.75
Soap Pod	24.5		32
Spikenard	412.5		730	–
Sweet Flag	47.5		86	–

July 2011 prices in NRs./Kg. Average of six markets (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for Nepal; Delhi, Tanakpur, Lucknow and Kolkata for India). Variations calculated from the previous month.

Consult the price list of 32 products in six different cities in Nepal and India >>>

Find price trend of 31 NTFPs in different cities of Nepal and India for 2010 >>>

EVENTS

ANSAB hosts UNEP Biotrade and Green Economy Week in Nepal

ANSAB in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nepalese Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MOCS), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organized Biotrade and Green Economy week in Nepal from May 31 to June 3, 2011 as part of UNEP’s Capacity Building for Biotrade Project (CBBT). The Biotrade and Green Economy week included two workshops, two consultation meetings and a public forum to identify the potential of biotrade for catalyzing a shift to a green economy, and recognize the potential areas of investments and relevant policies for sustainable and profitable trade of natural products.  An exhibition stall of the bioproducts that are produced by the Nepalese private sectors was also organized for two days during the Biotrade and Green Economy Week in Nepal.

For more information >>>

For workshop materials in UNEP site >>>

ANSAB organizes Private Sector Dialogue Meetings on agricultural commodities

ANSAB organized four Private Sector Dialogue Meetings (PSDMs) on four agricultural commodities – Orthodox Tea, Ginger, Lentils and Offseason vegetables – to present the organization’s findings of the study on value chain/market analysis on these commodities. Each meeting included representatives from private sectors (lead traders, processors, traders and exporters) involved in each commodity subsector, government agencies at central, regional and district level, and national and international organizations.  The meetings discussed on the findings of each study among the stakeholders and identified constraints and opportunities in each subsector. ANSAB is supporting the USAID’s Nepal Economic Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity to carry out in-depth value chain/market assessments of the four agricultural commodities and provide insights into the Program for intervention designing and program implementation.

Know about the NEAT Program >>>

IN BRIEF

ANSAB’s Pro-Poor Economic Development Program Manager publishes a book

Lambert Publication has recently published a book on ‘value chain analysis of Ginger sector of Nepal’ by ANSAB’s Pro-Poor Economic Development Program Manager Puspa Lal Ghimire. The book provides insights into upgrading activities and governance structure of agriculture value chain with a case of Ginger- one of the important spice crops in Nepal- and provides the ways forward to improve the situation of agriculture value chain in Nepal. The book is targeted for the practitioners of value chain development, development agencies, donor communities, professionals of marketing and SME development, researchers and the policy makers.

Find link for the book in amazon.com >>>

Guidelines for Measuring Carbon Stocks in Community-Managed Forests

ANSAB published the guidelines for measuring carbon stocks in community managed forests in 2010 that describes the methods, procedures and steps for measuring carbon stored by forestry land use system. The guidelines introduce globally accepted equipments, instruments, methodologies, procedures and standards in forest carbon measurement and offer a detailed recipe to use them more efficiently and effectively in Nepal’s specific context.

Learn more and download >>>

Forest Carbon Stock in Community Forests: ANSAB estimates the current status of carbon stock of the community forests in three watersheds of Nepal

ANSAB has estimated the current level of forest carbon stock of 104 community forests in three watersheds – Kayarkhola of Chitwan district, Charnawati of Dolakha district and Ludhikhola of Gorkha district of Nepal. Currently ANSAB along with two other partners International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and Federation of Community Forest Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) is implementing a project “Design and setting up of a governance and payment system for Nepal’s Community Forest Management under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)” in the area since July 2009 with financial support from NORAD. This pilot project aims to  demonstrate the feasibility of REDD payment mechanism in Community Forest (CF) by involving local communities including marginalized groups so that deforestation and forest degradation can be reduced by linking sustainable forest management practices with economic incentives. Further the project focuses on the concerns of indigenous, marginalized people, women, Dalit and local communities dependent on forests by involving them in designing and functioning of a national-level REDD governance and payment mechanism that supports community forestry at grassroots level. As responsible for the technical part of the forest carbon measurement, ANSAB estimated the current level of forest carbon stock in the project sites was to generate baseline information so as to see the carbon stock change over the period and also to demonstrate the REDD incentive distribution and practice of governance process in community forest management system. Earlier in 2010, technicians from ANSAB also prepared a guideline for measuring carbon stock in community managed forests.

Forest carbon measurement in the three watershed areas was performed following international standards. Forest technicians, local resource persons and government officials of all the project areas were given training for the consistency and better quality of the forest carbon measurement. Local communities were also involved in the carbon measurement process with a view to enhance their capacity to measure forest carbon. Measurement of forest carbon in five different pools namely above ground (tree, sapling and seedling), herb, litter, soil and below ground. The total number of permanent plots was determined by conducting 91 pilot plots in two preliminary forest strata; dense (more than 70% canopy cover) and sparse (less than 70% canopy cover) strata. Analysis was done using allometric equations suggested by Brown et al. (1987) and sampling intensity was calculated using method provided by UNFCCC (2009). In all 570 permanent plots were determined based on variance calculated with the help of information from a pilot inventory. Carbon at five pools was estimated. Tree, sapling and regeneration were measured as above ground biomass in circular plots of 8.92 m, 5.64 m and 1 m radii respectively. Herbs grass and leaf-litter and soil organic carbon were measured in circular nested plots of 8.92 m, 5.64 m, 1 m and 0.56 m radii respectively taking into consideration the procedures of IPCC and ensuring that the measurements meet the quality necessary to be eligible for the VCS standards.

The forest carbon stock analysis reveals some interesting facts about forest carbon in the watershed regions. Analysis of the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) distributions of all strata indicates most of the trees in all the strata are younger and there is potential to enhance forest carbon stock by stimulating tree growth through sustainable management of forest. Analysis of all carbon pools along with belowground biomass shows that forest carbon stocks in dense and sparse strata of Kayarkhola watershed are 296.44 t ha-1 and 256.70 t ha-1 respectively. The largest difference of carbon stock between two strata was found in Charnawati (62 t C/ha) where dense and sparse strata holds 228.56 t ha-1 and 166.75 t ha-1 respectively. Similarly, forest carbon stock in Ludikhola are 216.26 t ha-1 and 162.98 t ha-1 in dense and sparse strata respectively. The data of individual CFUG forest carbon shows that Nibuwatar, Chitramkaminchuli and Deujar of Kayarkhola; Charnawati, Bhitteri and Setidevi-Dadar of Charanawati; and Ludi-Damgade, Ghaledanda-Ranakhola and Gangate-Bahunechaur have highest forest carbon stock in respective watershed as the result of large dense area. There is general trend of increase in carbon stock with increase in altitude in Kayarkhola and Charnawati whereas the trend is reverse in Ludikhola. Aspectwise, East in Kayarkhola, South-East in Charnawati and North in Ludikhola recorded the highest forest carbon stock.

One other learning from the carbon measurement process, local communities can be involved to measure forest carbon, if their capacity on carbon measurement, data analysis, management, and monitoring is increased. It also significantly reduces the cost of the carbon measurement process.

Read the full report >>

Know more about the project >>

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is a Norwegian state directorate for development cooperation. The agency aims to contribute to effective management of aid funds and ensure that the Norwegian development cooperation is quality assured and evaluated

Green Business in the Himalayas: ANSAB produces a video documentary on the organization’s assistance to SMFEs in Nepal

ANSAB has produced a video documentary on the organization’s assistance to small and medium forestry enterprises (SMFEs) in Nepal.

The video features ANSAB assisted enterprises in seven districts of Nepal involved in production and marketing of several non timber forest products including handmade paper, essential oils, juice and bio-briquettes. The video captures the enterprise initiatives and activities in Darchula, Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok and Kathmandu districts, and also includes views from several ANSAB supported entrepreneurs together with Ramesh Tamang of Dolakha, Homlal Pun of Myagdi, Govinda Bishwakarma of Bajhang and Sher Kumari Shrestha of Sindhupalchok. The entrepreneurs took the initiative to establish SMFEs, which are currently creating employment opportunities at local level, and also preventing the locals to go to Kathmandu and Khasa (Tibet) in search of work.  Along with the views from the government officers, local representatives, local collectors, traders, and business persons working closely to the forestry and small community enterprise sectors; the video also captures the principles adopted by ANSAB to support local communities for enterprise development.

The video documentary is 32 minutes long and is produced in English and Nepali versions. The English version is titled as the Green Business in the Himalayas–Pioneering Market-Driven Solutions to Improve Livelihoods and Conserve Biodiversity, and the Nepali version is called Basera Hudaina (staying idle is not an option). The video crew took 32 days of filming and a week of post production for finalizing the video.

ANSAB has uploaded the preview of the english video in its YouTube channel and embedded the code in its website. You can  contact us if you want the full length of the video or need further information.

Watch the preview >>

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Assessment of Allo Production and Enterprise Potential in Parbat District

ANSAB and District Forest Office, Parbat jointly published an assessment report on Allo production and its enterprise potential in Parbat district, with information on supply potential of the species and analysis on the related enterprise opportunities in the district. The assessment was conducted using a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS), participatory community mapping and field inventory in the district. The assessment reveals that Parbat district has moderate potential for Allo enterprises, and the full utilization of the available Allo could generate direct incomes of about NRs. 8,416,454. The potential benefits are even greater if the employment generated by associated activities is counted.

Read the full report >> (PDF, 1.43 MB)

Video on Deo-dhunga Multiple Cooperative, Dolakha Uploaded on ANSAB YouTube Channel

A video documentary – Community Based Forest Enterprises: Deo-dhunga Multiple Cooperative, Dolakha – broadcasted a few years ago on Nepal Television as part of a program called “Aankhijhyal” was uploaded on the ANSAB YouTube Channel. The video shows how the communities can get economic benefits from the community forestry from non – traditional NTFPs as wintergreen with the case of Deo-dhunga Multiple Cooperative, Dolakha district, Nepal.

Watch the video >>

MARKET PRICES

March 2011 prices in NRs./Kg. Average of six markets (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for Nepal; Delhi, Tanakpur, Lucknow and Kolkata for India). Variations calculated from the previous month.

Consult the price list of 32 products in six different cities in Nepal and India >>

MARKET PRICES

Price trend of Chiretta in selected cities for 2010

Find larger images for price trend of Chiretta and other 30 NTFPs in different cities of Nepal and India for 2010 >>

EVENTS

ANSAB Participates in 2nd International Forest Connect Workshop

Executive Director Dr. Bhishma Subedi and Forest Connect Nepal Program Coordinator Sudarshan Khanal participated in the 2nd International Forest Connect Workshop organized jointly by International Institute for Environment and Development (iied), UN FAO, and PROFOR on February 16-18, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In the workshop Dr. Subedi also presented on ANSAB’s initiatives to support Small Forest Enterprises (SMFEs) in Nepal with three cases of ANSAB’s support to SMFEs for third party certification, expanding urban market of bio-briquettes, and developing responsible value chain of Wintergreen.  The workshop also elected ANSAB as a steering committee member of the Forest Connect.

Download the presentation >> (PDF, 2.45 MB)

ANSAB presents on the Policy & Regulatory Environment for Conservation & Sustainable Use of NTFPs in Nepal

Executive Director Dr. Bhishma Subedi presented on the current policy and regulatory environment for conservation and sustainable use of Non timber forest products (NTFPs) in Nepal in the PROFOR-Word Bank Nepal Forest Sector Review Project Workshop, on December 18, 2010. The presentation identified a vast scope to improve the policy and regulatory environment by: improving policy formulation and revision process; revising and formulating national legislations; improving the implementation practices, especially governance & coordination; and establishing an effective monitoring system.

Download the presentation >> (PDF, 1.65MB)

ANSAB participates in the third annual ICIMOD Open House

ANSAB shared its major publications, success stories and contribution in the field of biodiversity conservation and pro-poor economic development in a stall organized during ICIMOD third annual Open House Day, Saturday March 12th. Major publications including books and manuals, DVDs, brochures, and capability statement were displayed; most publications were distributed free of charge, and some were sold at discounted price to the public during the event.  8-volumed ANSAB Rural Development Toolkit Series 2010 and the Guidelines for measuring carbon stocks in community-managed forests were the main attraction during the Open House.

More than 2,000 people visited the stall of ANSAB. Our Communication incharge  Sudarshan Khanal along with Forestry Officer Rijan Tamrakar and Sweety Thapa oriented the visitors about the organization and its major programs. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organized the Open House as part of celebrating the UN International Year of Forests 2011.

Learn more about the Open House >>

IN BRIEF

ANSAB Rural Development Toolkit Series 2010

ANSAB has been continuing its regular dissemination of the 8 volumes of ANSAB Rural Development Toolkit Series to different like-minded development practitioners, learners and managers, after the toolkits were developed in 2010. The organization has already disseminated more than 100 sets of the toolkits to the government, national and international partners, and other organizations working in the field. Some national and international organizations have approached ANSAB to conduct joint training and study programs, after the development and dissemination of the toolkits.

In last October, ANSAB developed the toolkits along with five prioritized training packages to present its effective rural development methodologies to the larger number of development actors. The toolkits and the training packages offer ANSAB’s wealth of knowledge and experience on the field after the successful creation of 1,166 economic entities (including 68 regional or national processing and marketing enterprises) and pioneered Forest Certification in Nepal.

Learn more and download ANSAB Rural Development Toolkit Series 2010 >>

Learn more about trainings >>

A team from Laos PDR visits ANSAB Headquarters

A team of 16 members representing government, inter-government, non-government organizations, and entrepreneurs from Lao PDR visited ANSAB Headquarters on March 24, 2011. The team earlier visited to ANSAB supported enterprises in Dolakha and Sindhupalchok districts along with the members from another organization called Forest Action Nepal. Pro-poor Economic Development Manager Puspa Ghimire along with Program Officer Kabir Ratna Sthapit briefed the guests on ANSAB’s current and past enterprise oriented activities to promote SMFEs in Nepal.

Know about ANSAB’s pro-poor economic development program >>

Rural Development Series 2010: ANSAB Unveils 5 New Training Packages and 8 New Toolkits 

ANSAB has developed five training packages as well as eight practical and easy-to-use toolkits as part of a knowledge gathering process realized with financial support from the blue moon fund (bmf). Having spearheaded the successful creation of 1,166 economic entities (including 68 regional or national processing and marketing enterprises) and pioneered Forest Certification in Nepal, ANSAB has a wealth of knowledge to share with like-minded development practitioners, learners and managers. 

The five training packages were prioritized among 18 pre-identified trainings after a thorough assessment of the current and potential demand and supply. These packages present ANSAB’s effective methodologies on Non Timber Forest Products, Forest Certification, and Community based Enterprise Development in a simple, coherent and comprehensive manner. Each training package is briefly presented below. You can download the full brochure and contact us if you want to order any training packages or need further information.

	1. Non Timber Forest Products Management: Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are important sources of livelihood and income for Nepal’s poor rural communities. Studies on NTFPs management both at national and global levels however conclude that few species of commercial interest are highly exploited while other species are either underused or not explored at all. Over the last two decades, ANSAB has been providing technical and facilitation support at the village, district, national and international levels to promote a more sustainable management of NTFPs and NTFPs-based livelihood opportunities. You can now cost-effectively benefit from this wealth of experience, thanks to this new training package.  Download the full brochure >> (PDF, 332 KB)
	2. Business Planning: Grass root level community enterprises play a significant role to uplift community livelihoods and sustainable resource management. A lot of efforts have been put by government and development organizations to establish community level enterprises. Most of the enterprises created in this manner have however either stopped their operation or are performing poorly after completion of the initial development project. This is often due to weaknesses in business planning, namely the lack of a plan that integrates all aspects of the value chain – from input supply to production to marketing of the goods. A sound business plan is also essential to attract more finances by projecting the profitability and success of the enterprises. You can now cost-effectively learn about ANSAB business planning techniques thanks to this new training package.  Download the full brochure >> (PDF, 340KB)
	3. Entrepreneurship Development: The majority of rural communities in Nepal uses natural resources in a subsistence mode. This approach creates little incentive for the poor to conserve and manage their resources sustainably. As such, they can neither harness the optimum potential of the resources, nor generate good income and employment. The underutilization of natural resources is in fact one of the main reasons for the persistence of rural poverty and degradation of the resource base in the country. In this context, the establishment of natural products enterprises provides tremendous opportunities. You can now cost-effectively learn about ANSAB’s approach to entrepreneurship development thanks to this new training package. Download the full brochure >> (PDF, 307KB)
	4. Forest and Chain of Custody Certification: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is widely regarded as one of the most important tools available to safeguard the world’s valuable forest resources. It was established in 1993 to promote environmentally valuable, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management practices. ANSAB has been a leader in implementing FSC Forest Certification and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification programs in Nepal, and has so far helped to certify 21 community forests comprising 14086 hectare forests, 8 community-based forest enterprises, 19 species, 10 essential oil products and 2 handmade papers (Argeli and Lokta). You can now cost-effectively benefit from this wealth of experience in FSC forest management and CoC certification, thanks to this new training package. Download the full brochure >> (PDF, 350 KB)
	5. Study Tour Package: ANSAB takes pride in the success of its biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction programs, and as such regularly helps students, journalists and personnel from different government, nongovernment, and intergovernmental organizations of national and international levels to visit its implementation fields. Because of ANSAB’s exemplary and innovative programs in community based natural resource management, the number of requests for visits has increased over time, making it difficult for the organization to meet the demand. Thanks to this new study tour package, every interested party can now benefit from a tour in a cost-effective manner. Download the full brochure >> (PDF, 387.55 KB)
As a not-for-profit organization with the mission to improve livelihoods and conserve biodiversity throughout South Asia, ANSAB hopes to share its knowledge and experience as widely as possible. It has thus decided to make the toolkits used in the above five training packages available to all free of charge on its website. Successful creation and implementation of NTFP community-enterprise or Forest Certification scheme is a complex matter. Failure to build on the lessons learnt in the past could lead to the creation of unsustainable enterprises or even could imperil the renewal of Nepal’s collective Forest Certification. Although we believe that the toolkits (described below) are of great use by themselves, we strongly recommend that the interested practitioners and organizations in the region also take the relevant multi-day trainings as described above.
	1. Business Planning for Community Based Natural Product Enterprises: This Toolkit offers skills, methods and tools with which the field facilitators can support rural people to prepare and implement the business plan for their enterprises. The purpose is to build the capacity of facilitators and enterprise leaders on how they can support a rigorous process of planning and successful operation of sustainable community-based natural product enterprises.
	2. Entrepreneurship Development of Natural Resources Dependent Communities: This Toolkit focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills and capacities of local communities, especially the poorest among them, to promote the development of sustainable community based natural product enterprises. The purpose is to provide guidance in developing and implementing programs on developing entrepreneurship skills and culture at the community level.
	3. Marketing Information System (MIS) for Natural Products: This Toolkit focuses on the process of setting up a marketing information system (MIS) program and the methods of collection, processing and dissemination of information on markets and marketing of natural products. The objective is to provide guidance in developing and implementing the MIS for natural products in order to enhance market transparency and good value chain governance.
	4. Participatory Inventory of Non-Timber Forest Products: This Toolkit provides practical methods and tools to determine total stock and harvestable amount of the selected Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP)s and derive specific recommendations for forest management interventions. The objective is to provide participatory inventory method that provides a basis for sustainable forest management.
	5. Participatory Biodiversity Monitoring in Community Managed Forests: This Toolkit provides methods and tools needed to generate useful data to periodically assess the biodiversity status and to track the impact of community based forest management on biodiversity. The purpose is to derive important lessons for improving management that promotes the conservation of biodiversity while maximizing the value of forest products and services.
	6. Development and Mobilization of Local Resource Persons (LRPs): This Toolkit focuses on the process and methods of recruiting, training and mobilizing local resource persons (LRPs) so that development services could be more effectively delivered in rural settings through locally available human resource even beyond the termination of a development project.
	7. Certification of Community Managed Forests: This Toolkit focuses on group forest management certification. The major objective of the toolkit is to provide important methods and tools for developing and implementing the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) group forest management certification so that the communities achieve a position of getting recognition and rewards for their good practices, while conserving the forest and biodiversity.
	8. Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification for Community Enterprises: This Toolkit provides field practitioners and program managers with up to date methods, tools and techniques for obtaining and implementing the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Group Chain of Custody certification. The purpose is to enable small companies and cooperatives promote their certified products in national and international markets and get rewarded.

The blue moon fund (bmf) works to build human and natural resilience to a changing and warming world. It uses natural, social, and financial capital to implement new models in high-biodiversity regions around the world. The bmf is characterized by its holistic approach, its risk taking, its nimbleness, and its commitment to cutting-edge ideas in both programs and investments.

Policy-Makers Study Tour Highlights the Challenges Faced by Small Community-Based Forest Enterprises 

Small community-based forest enterprises (CBFEs) are facing challenges from production to marketing phases due to the nature of their constitution and conflicting government policies. 

The nature of these barriers were exposed during a two day policy makers site visit organized by ANSAB to three different types of CBFEs in Sindhupalchok and Dolakha districts on September 20 and 21, 2010. Twenty-three personnel from the government, nongovernment and intergovernmental organizations, as well as several journalists, participated to the tour. The participants observed three different enterprises – oil distillation, bio-briquette, and handmade paper enterprises, interacted with community entrepreneurs and discussed among themselves. Local entrepreneurs expressed the problems that made their enterprises less competitive than other industries, ranging from getting raw material to marketing final products. They also stated problems of the community decisions on the enterprises, often leading to non-market friendly decisions. 

Marketing staff from the oil distillation and bio-briquette enterprises expressed a common obstacle coming from security personnel during the transportation of the finished products. The security personnel would ask them for the documentation over registration of their enterprises. The problem is that these enterprises are not able to register the land because they are not sure whether they need to register their enterprises with Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) or with the Ministry of Industry (MoI). The type of documentation to be presented to both ministries during registration is also not clear. Because the MoFSC deals with community forests and the MoI deal with enterprises, both ministries might require documents from their counterpart during the registration of the industry in a community forest. 

There was also a concern stated on obtaining raw materials from the local community forests. Dhruba Basnet, a member of the Board of Bhimeshwor handmade paper enterprise, told the participants that the community members would sell Lokta, a plant used to make handmade paper, to the big industries if they get higher prices than from the local community enterprises. He is in line with Sasi Shakya, the chairperson of the Sikre oil distillation enterprise, who also stated that they were facing competitive disadvantage over the big industries because they are far from the market centers, and they also have to decide on the community level for determining final price of the products. There was a case that a marketing personal of Sikre oil distillation enterprise had to wait for some days in the city, away from his family members, to sell their products when the dealer refused to take the products in the previously stated price. 

The importance of the CBFEs for local economies was also realized during the field trip. Dipak Jnawali, a Planning Officer at MoFSC, evaluated that most of the costs and revenues of the community-based enterprises directly went to the community members. The figure was even more than 80% for the bio-briquette and oil distillation enterprises. 

Learn more about this project >> 

MARKET PRICES

	Nepal		India
Chiretta	362.5		468	–
Cinnamon	45		72
Dried Ginger	202.5		284
Himal. Rhubherb	56.5		82
Indian Valerian	160		306
Lichen	80		306
Himalayan rhubarb	47.5		74.25
Madder	62.5		140
Prickly Ash	95		112.5
Rock Foil	40	–	74.25
Soap Pod	19	–	19.5
Sweet Flag	42.5		56
Wild Asparagus	550		730	–

November 2010 prices in NRs./Kg. Average of five markets (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for Nepal; Delhi, Tanakpur, Lucknow and Kolkata for India). Variations calculated from the previous month.  

Consult the complete price list (32 products) >> 

PUBLICATIONS  

Capability Statement and Brochure 2010 

The Capability Statement is a detailed technical presentation (12 pages) of ANSAB’s programs and achievements. Updated for the first time since 2008, this latest version will be of interest to prospective donors and partners, as well as to every person working in the fields of economic development and biodiversity conservation who wants to know more about our organization.  

Download the Capability Statement 2010 >> (PDF, 759 KB) 

The Brochure, for its part, is a succinct presentation (6 pages) of ANSAB for a general audience. This entirely new publication will be of interest to the general public or to people working in other development fields but who nonetheless want to know more about our organization. 

Download the Brochure 2010 >> (PDF, 1.18 MB) 

Annual Report 2009 

ANSAB has just released the electronic versions of its 2009 Annual Report. In addition to the traditional facts & figure about our operations, the report contains project per project updates, two moving cases studies as well as reflexive pieces by our Executive Director about the future of the organization. An update of our Impact Tracking System also reveals that ANSAB’s interventions to date generated sales of NRs 98,118,085 for 13,392 owners (7,171 male and 6,221 female), 7,972 workers (4,243 male and 3,729 female) and 11,076 raw material suppliers (5,785 male and 5,391 female). 

Download the Annual Report 2009 >> (2.39 MB)

Aankhijhyal Video Uploaded on ANSAB YouTube Channel 

 A video documentary broadcasted a few years ago on Nepal Television as part of a program called “Aankhijhyal” was recently uploaded on the ANSAB YouTube Channel. It presents two reports from Bajhang district in western Nepal: the first focuses on successful community-based handmade paper enterprise in Kailash, while the second shows a rural community’s effort to protect the biodiversity of large areas in mid hills and high mountains through the creation of a memorial forest. 

Watch the video >> 

EVENTS 

 ANSAB Presents a Case Study on Ecosystem Services at BirdLife International’s Workshop 

Sudarshan Khanal presented a Case Study on Ecosystem Services of Forests in Nepal and Uttarakhand Himalayas at the BirdLife International’s Workshop on ‘Understanding, Assessing and Monitoring Ecosystem Services for Better Biodiversity Conservation’ held in Kathmandu on November 18, 2010. The presentation, based on the paper by Dr. Bhishma P. Subedi and Professor S.P. Singh notably listed the major ecosystem services provided by Nepal and Uttarakhand forests, the quantity of carbon pooled in these forests, as well as the potential services that could be exchanged for payments by the local communities.  

Download the presentation >>  

 ANSAB Staff To Make a Presentation at the Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalaya  

A paper on ‘Perceived impacts of climate change on forest and biodiversity and its coping strategies in East Nepal’ written by two members of ANSAB’s team, Rijan Tamrakar and Bhuwan Dhakal, was accepted for presentation at the international conference on “Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalaya” to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 12-14 December, 2010. This paper is prepared on the basis of a study carried out in the Koshi basin of Nepal by the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to document the impacts of climate change perceived by locals and to understand their coping strategies from Tarai to High hills for payments by the local communities. 

Learn more about the conference >>   

IN BRIEF   

Mr. Radhesh Pant Elected as the New Chairperson of ANSAB’s Board of Director 

The last meeting of ANSAB’s Board of Director was held at the organization’s headquarter in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 28-29, 2010. The highlight of the meeting was the election of a new Chairperson Mr. Radhesh Pant to replace Dr. John William Croucher. The Board of Directors also renewed the mandate of Prof. Dr. S. P. Singh, Vice Chancellor of Garhwal University as a vice-chairperson; Mr David Hircock, advisor on natural resources to the Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. as a member; Mr. Nathu P. Choudhary, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Dr. Bhishma P. Subedi, Executive Director of ANSAB as Ex Officio Members. 

Chairperson Mr. Radhesh Pant is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kumari Bank Ltd. in Kathmandu and the President of the Nepal Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He has previously served as a President for Nepal Banker’s Association and as a Managing Director for the Bank of Kathmandu Ltd. His numerous experiences within and outside the country make him one of the most prominent figures in Nepal’s financial industry. He notably received the Top CEO Award 2006 and 2007 instituted by BOSS magazine. 

The entire staff of ANSAB is grateful to Dr. Croucher, the outgoing Chairperson for his generous contribution over the past several years, and is delighted to welcome Mr. Pant as the new Chairperson. The expertise of all the members of the Board will continue to immensely contribute to the organization’s success in achieving its dual mission of pro-poor economic development and biodiversity conservation. 

Learn more about ANSAB Team >> 

ANSAB’s Community-Based Enterprise Approach Featured in the Asia Pacific Mountain Courier 

ANSAB’s decade long experience on testing and learning lessons on community-based enterprise approach was featured in the Asia Pacific Mountain Network’s Newsletter (Volume 11, No. 1, October 2010). The article is titled “Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal using a Community-Based Enterprise Approach: A Decade of Testing and Lessons Learned” and authored by our Executive Director Bhishma P. Subedi, Natural Resource Manager Shiva Shankar Pandey, and Economic Development Manager Sushil Gyawali. The article focuses on natural resource management and economic development with the goals of facilitating community-based enterprise development, establishing linkages to value chains, and initiating a certification system to expand the market for valuable Himalayan non-timber forest products.  

Download this edition of the Mountain Courier >> (PDF, 6.95 MB)

5 Lessons Learned while Transforming Local Communities into Enterprises
ANSAB just completed a 3-year project titled “Transforming Local Communities into Enterprises for Economic Security in Nepal”. The project developed 917 economic entities in 8 different districts and integrated them into promising value chains such as lokta (Daphne spp.), yarshagumba (Cordyceps sinensis), wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissimia), bio-briquette, soap-nut (Sapindus mukorossi), allo (Girardinia diversifolia) and timber. It helped 12,639 rural poor double their annual income from enterprise activities, generating US $1,640,866 from an initial investment of US $866,306 – a return of 189%. This ratio is poised to increase over the years as enterprises continue to generate income without outside support. The project also made effective interventions in sustainable forest management and harvesting by organizing all enterprise activities around 166 Community Forest User Groups and by building these groups’ capacity.       

The article below highlight 5 key lessons learned that contributed to make this success possible and that demonstrate how the approach taken could be replicated elsewhere in Nepal and South Asia:      

1. CFUG subgroups provide a promising mechanism for sustainably and effectively managing community forests while promoting social justice: The main idea behind subgroups is to enrich disadvantaged people (ultra poor, women, Dalits, etc.) and motivate them to conserve biodiversity by handing them exclusive control over specific areas and/or income generating activities. Over the 3 years of the project, the concept progressively won over sceptics and now CFUG leaders such as Krishna Bahadur Karki, chairperson of Thangsadeurali, told ANSAB that they plan to provide other patches of degraded community forest to more subgroups.        

He proudly explained: “The amount of efforts put on conservation of forest and plantation of Argeli devolved to 4 subgroups in my CFUG is impossible for me to organize at the CFUG level.” He added: “They have high motivation because of the clear link between their responsibilities and their benefits, which are specified in subgroups management plans developed thanks to ANSAB’s support.  Most of the people in the subgroups are ultra-poor and were never effectively organized before under the CFUG framework, rather acting as a major threat to the community forest. Now they are the first to come in CFUG meetings and to participate in the community’s conservation activities.” Similar successes have been realized by 100 subgroups in 47 CFUGs, representing 2,252 households.      

 2. National marketing enterprises are a key component of value chains:  To ensure sustainable income generation for disadvantaged people, the project had to support all layers of the value chains. It notably worked intensively with national enterprises to plan and organize their supply requirements from the project districts, as well as to design, develop and market the end products in national and international markets.       

Many achievements vindicate the emphasis placed on this particular layer of the value chain. Himalayan Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. (HGEPL), a new national company developed from scratch to efficiently market the bio-briquettes supplied by rural community enterprises, for example now stands as the main briquette marketing company in Nepal. Managed by a consortium of 5 community enterprises created by the project, it sold 120,000 briquettes through 51 retail outlets and 7 distributers for a total income of US $27,027 in 2009 alone.      

3. To foster social justice and inclusive development, efforts must be targeted, well designed and, just as importantly, persistent: Before the beginning of the project, members of the Dalit caste in Bajhang district had never been able to participate in the harvesting of high value products such as Yarshagumba because of local beliefs that if they did, some negative consequences (sickness, death, etc.) would happen. To overcome existing prejudices, ANSAB had to devote more energy to the inclusion of disadvantaged people in enterprises activities than originally planned. With perseverance (the project organized a total of 1,377 formal activities involving 78,475 people to ensure the genuine participation of all community members) the integration objectives were however finally met.       

The project for example established that beliefs about Dalits contaminating natural resources were a myth and that all humans are equal and have the same rights to use natural resources. Dalits in Bajhang now have their own subgroups and enterprises with rights over the harvesting and processing of several NTFPs. No less than 42 CFUGs targeted by the project have established enterprises development revolving funds (EDRF) which dedicate most of their grants and technical assistances to DAG. More importantly, perhaps, CFUGs have become supportive of allocating a greater share of the new economic opportunities created by the collection and transformation of previously unused natural resources to poor and marginalized members.      

4. Local leadership is crucial for the success of community enterprises: The project area mostly consists of backward rural mountain communities. Past experience showed that, let to themselves, communities have difficulties to select the best leaders for emerging enterprises. When the communities meet to select leaders, an individual with vested interest or incongruous character can for example come forward and show its commitment by offering to manage the enterprise voluntarily. He is likely to get the job over more qualified candidates because traditional leadership in communities has been exerted “voluntarily” and of the greed to reduce the enterprise operating costs.      

The project tackled this type of issues by initiating dialogue in small groups or at individual level in the communities prior to the meeting for leader’s selection. Qualities required of good leaders (mainly entrepreneurship, dedication and social motive) were placed at the heart of these discussions, which also introduced the concept that a good manager can in fact pays back far more than what it costs to hire him or her.       

Proper selection is only the first step required to groom effective and dedicated leaders. Experience also showed that good managers often lose interest in the enterprises after a while and start focusing on how to ensure that their individual qualities improve their own livelihood. After testing various modalities of leadership in many community enterprises for about a decade, it was found to be very important to give managers a good share in the enterprise (wherever possible) and/or good incentives tied with performance. It was also found that although business experience can obviously be an asset, a thorough assessment of the leader social motive was also required.       

5. There is more to community enterprise development than technical trainings and machinery: Although awareness is rising among development professionals that a comprehensive approach to sustainable forest management is required to address poverty issues, most of programs still only include machinery supply and technical trainings in their plans for the development of community enterprises. This project has once again showed that enterprises development is a complex venture that cannot be limited to these two elements and that must also include many social interventions to organize very poor and remote community into groups, build their capacity and integrate them into remunerative value chains.      

Read the entire report >>      

The Transforming Local Communities Into Enterprises for Economic Security in Nepal project was made possible thanks to a US$ 400,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. The Foundation supports leaders and organizations working on the frontlines of social change worldwide. Its goals for more than half a century have been to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement. It seeks to create political, economic and social systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends.        

Learn more >>        

ANSAB, ICIMOD and FECOFUN Granted US $1.8 million for Major REDD Project
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) recently approved funding for a project jointly proposed by ANSAB, ICIMOD and FECOFUN to design and set up of a governance and payment system for Nepal’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation through conservation, sustainable management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD plus) initiatives. The total budget is approximately US $1.8 million for the next three years. It was awarded on a competitive basis among the 139 projects submitted to NORAD’s Climate and Forest Initiative Funding Scheme for civil society.       

The funding will allow the three partners to build on the pilot projects they conducted in three districts over the past year to demonstrate the feasibility of REDD payment mechanism in community forest management. Lessons from the projects will be used to design a nation-wide system that is effective, credible and benefit to marginalized groups.        

Learn more about this project >>
Learn more about the previous phase >>        

© FSC
Three Major Partners-led Projects Launched
> Participation Action Research (PAR): Led by ICIMOD, this research is a component of the multi partner HIMALI project funded by the Asian Development Bank the Government of Nepal. It will promote six prominent value chains (Wool, Cheese, Apple, Seed, Potato and MAPs) of high mountain regions of Nepal. Read more about the HIMALI project >>       

> Expanding FSC certification at landscape level through incorporation of additional ecosystem services: This project is managed by FSC international and executed by UNEP together with partner countries. It will test FSC forest management certification for ecosystem services in four pilot countries. ANSAB will be the country focal point for Nepal. Read more about the inception workshop >>       

> Nepal Forest Resource Assessment: This project is led by Indufor Oy and is co-financed by the Nepalese and Finnish governments. It will improve the provision of forestry data and its processing for Nepal’s forest policy development and for forest sector decision-making. Read more about this project >>        

Government of Nepal Active on Multiple Fronts in Community Forestry
Departments of the government held consultations with stakeholders on a variety of issues in the past few weeks. These included a multi-Departments meeting to discuss the current status of the value chains of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) products; a workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment on the upcoming National Adaptation Plan of Actions (NAPA); and two different feedback workshops organized by the REDD Forestry and Climate Change Cell of Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation on the draft Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP) for REDD.        

Learn more on NAPA in Nepal >>
Learn more about REDD Cell >>      

	Nepal		India
Chiretta	362.5		408	–
Spikenard	302.5		514
Indian mastiche	210		374
Madder	56		112
Himalayan rhubarb	55		73.25
Indian valerian	162.5		242
Dried ginger	290		332
Cinnamon	35.5		48.75	–
June 2010 prices in NRs./Kg. Average of five markets (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for Nepal, Delhi, Tanakpur, Lucknow and Kolkata for India). Variations calculated from the previous month.      Consult the complete price list (32 products) >>

 

Medherb Green Pages 2010 – India and Nepal
This 400 pages directory provides complete information and in-depth knowledge on all trade-related aspects of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), with a special focus on Nepal for the first time in 6 years. Highlights include:       

> Stakeholders directory listing detailed contact information for more than 5000 dealers, exporters, importers, extractors, manufacturers, cultivators and related organizations from India, as well as 350 dealers, exporters, importers and extractors from Nepal;      

> Export figures of more than 55 MAPs and allied products;    

> Information on international standards for sustainable wild collection, herbal drugs testing laboratories, adulterants and substitutes of commercial drugs;    

> CITES list, Nepal Gazette on MAPs royalty, procedures of drug registration, and other related information;      

> Special features on Gulab, Henna, Isabgol, Senna, Alaichi and Yarsagumba.         

Learn more and order >>        

Guidelines for Measuring Carbon Stocks in Community-Managed Forests
Reducing emissions from deforestations and forest degradation (REDD) has gained major traction in the international climate negotiations. Evolving discussions on REDD have brought forest at the forefront of climate change mitigation and adaptation as never before.         

Among others, successful REDD programs demand reliable and cost-effective methods for measurement and monitoring of forest carbon storage. Despite the involvement of several academic and development organizations in Nepal, common, accurate and user-friendly forest carbon measurement methodologies were still lacking in the country.         

These guidelines were drafted to fill this gap. They describe methods, procedures and steps for measuring carbon stored by forestry land use system. They introduce globally accepted equipments, instruments, methodologies, procedures and standards in forest carbon measurement and offer a detailed recipe to use them more efficiently and effectively in Nepal’s specific context.        

Learn more and download >>     

NNN UPDATE
The 34th Nepal NTFP Network (NNN)  annual sharing meeting was held at ANSAB headquarters on April 21, 2010. It was chaired by the Director General of Nepal’s Department of Forests and attended by senior level government officials, journalists, bank representatives as well as by several experts from the NTFP sub sector. The meeting was highly fruitful as it identified needs on the ground and led to several concrete recommendations:      

> develop a course focusing on Community Forestry Enterprises (CFEs);        

> prepare brochures of 25 NTFP products detailing technological aspects; and         

> prepare one brochure vulgarizing legal and policy requirements related to NFTPs, with special provision for CFEs.         

Participants also agreed to form a task force for developing a comprehensive NTFP inventory as well as nation-wide methodology guidelines for their exploitation.         

Consult the complete minutes of the meeting >>        

EVENTS
International Conference on Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas
Celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal, are jointly organizing an International Conference on “Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas, ICBLCC-2010.”        

The ICBLCC-2010 is expected to discuss issues related to biodiversity and climate change as well as cross-sectoral issues with particular emphasis on natural resources of the Himalayan region. The conference will also assess achievements on the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010 target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and an international regime on access and benefit sharing at regional and national levels.         

Next Important Deadlines:        

> Submission of abstract August 31, 2010        

> Second and final circular August 31, 2010        

> Registration (normal rate) October 31,
   2010        

Obtain more information >>
  

IN BRIEF
ANSAB to Be Part of a New Forestry Research Network Working Group
ANSAB was recently selected by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation to become a member of a working group to form a Forestry Research Network in the country. It has started to discuss with other members about potential collaborative researches projects in the short-term and about developing national strategies for forestry research in the long-term.        

Yarshagumba and Forest Certification Documentaries Now Available on YouTube
ANSAB recently opened a YouTube channel to make its video material more easily available to all. The first additions are two fascinating, 30 minutes long documentaries titled In Search of Yarshagumba and  Forest Certification: Steps Towards Sustainability. Let us know what you think in the comment section!         

Watch the documentaries >>        

ANSAB Website Enhanced
Several new features have been added to www.ansab.org. It is now possible to search the website content by type, topics and geographical locations and to subscribe to subject-specific Email/RSS feeds such as Publications, Price Lists and NNN Meetings Minutes. Several new success stories have also been added. Stay tuned, as ANSAB is planning to take advantage of the new design to post dozens of additional publications.       

Browse current publications >>