Forest ecology and ethnobotany of NTFPs in Sirdibas, Gorkha of Manaslu Conservation Area, Gandaki Province, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Nepal’s mountainous forests support diverse Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) essential for local livelihoods and traditional medicine. This study aimed to document the diversity and traditional uses of NTFPs species among the Gurung communities of Pangsing and Nyaak settlements of the Manaslu Conservation Area.

Methods: Field work involved key informant interviews, group discussion, field observations, and ecological sampling. Voucher specimens were collected, identified and deposited at ASCOL Herbarium. Vegetation was assessed across three elevation bands using systematic random sampling, with 30 tree plots, 30 nested shrub plots, and 90 nested herb subplots. Importance Value Index was calculated for each species. Site level differences in NTFPs richness were tested using an independent samples t-test, and the relationship between diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height was examined using simple linear regression.

Results: A total of 84 NTFPs species belonging to 47 families were recorded. NTFP species richness did not differ significantly between Pangsing and Nyaak (t = 2.44, P = 0.69). DBH accounted for 68.6% (R² = 0.686) and 63.1% (R² = 0.631) of the variance in tree height in Pangsing and Nyaak, respectively. Five species Artemisia dubia, Asparagus racemosus, Bergenia ciliata, Juglans regia and Zanthoxylum armatum were identified by the Gurung community as priority NTFPs based on use value, market price and availability.

Conclusions: NTFPs are vital to the livelihoods and cultural practices of the Gurung communities, with medicinal use forming the largest traditional use category. Conservation of five priority species requires regular monitoring and sustainable harvesting.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Asteraceae, Indigenous communities, Herbal medicine