A Survey of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Upper Mustang

Abstract

A survey was conducted in Upper Mustang in July 2003 for the documentation of NTFPs using PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) and vegetation sampling methods. Altogether 101 species of NTFPs belonging to 36 families and 79 genera were recorded in Upper Mustang (Chhuksang to Lomanthang). A total of 90 species were recorded from the 160 sampling plots in 8 different sampling sites in three major regions Samar, Ghami and Lomanthang of sub alpine and alpine regions. Out of which 61 species were NTFPs and the rest were associated species. In an average 26 species were recorded from each sampling sites out of which an average of 17 species were NTFPs. The index of diversity was higher for NTFPs in comparison to the associated species except in Lomanthang I and Samar I sampling sites. Index of diversity for NTFPs was highest in Samar Lek sampling site followed by Vena, Ghami I, Lomanthang II and Ghami II. The stockings of highly used NTFPs like Thymus linearis and Allium wallichii were high (more than 14 plant m-2) whereas the stockings of Calbetia sps., Dactylorhiza hatagirea and Cordyceps sinensis were very low (less than 0.2 plant m-2). Sustainable harvesting and management techniques of NTFPs are thought to be of utmost importance in order to conserve and commercialize them. Key words: NTFPs; Sampling plots; Diversity index; PRA; Upper Mustang. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v5i5.2663 Scientific World, Vol. 5, No. 5, July 2007 89-94