June 17, 2005

The book highlights the importance of ethno botany and conservation of plant diversity in Nepal

By A CORRESPONDENT

Nepal is well known for its unique and diverse ecosystem. Although the area of Nepal is very small in terms of geography, it has rich diversification of plants and other eco-system.

Despite many intensive researches, Nepal ’s plant and bio-diversity was ignored till 1992. Following the Rio Conference of 1992, the whole policy regarding Nepal ’s forest management and uses of bio-resources has changed.

At a time when there is growing concern over the protection of the bio-diversity, the book written by Joshi duo is highly important. Nepal is unique country having fragile as well as sensitive eco-system with rich plant diversity. The diversity is the result of interaction of rich and diverse geographical, climatic, soil, water and topographical conditions. The flora and fauna in the country show a very high degree of endemism. The country is equally rich in traditional knowledge and practices.

Thanks to the growing human pressure, the plant species and habitats in many areas of the country have come under severe stress arising from natural and human impacts. Because of intensification of conflict, many of the endemic and ecologically as well as economically invaluable species are now threatened, endangered or on the verge of extinction, and thus merits special attention.

After the introduction of participatory forest management plan, the significant progress has been made in the decade on the sustainable management of plant diversity, especially in the realm of institutional development, formulation of conservation strategies and their implementation, establishment of parks and reserves, public participation and emergence of local communities and NGOs action.

“Sustainable management of plant resources is feasible and achievable provided compromise can be reached on the external conflict between the conservation and protection syndrome and the over-exploitation and unsustainable utilization syndrome. In other words agreement has to be reached on the mode and manner of formulating policies and planning and implementation of programs and projects and the sustainable protection and utilization of plant resources while ensuring adequate rates of return and the sharing of benefits there from,” write the author duo.

The book tries to explore the linkages between plant diversity and people as well as utilization of plant resources and the existing status of conservation efforts for sustainable management in Nepal . Attempt has also been made to document the references from 1946 to 2004.

“Effort has also been made to identify lacunae and constraints surfaced both at the policy and program as well as at implementation level and to recommend future course of action agenda for maintaining balance between socio-economic needs of the people and the capacity of the earth’s ecosystem so as to fulfill the needs of present and future generations,” write Joshi duo. The authors have long experiences of working in the area of environment and biodiversity.

Based on intensive research and their experiences, the book is very informative highlighting plant varieties available in different parts of the country. For the people who are working in the areas of environmental conservation, this book would be useful.