Calamus tenuis Roxb, the economically potential rattan species, has been increasing in the community managed forests. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected in 2016 and 2017. The research was carried out in 20 Community Forest User Groups of Kailali and Bardiya district. Growing stock was measured using stratified random sampling in the community forests, followed by socio-economic information through semi-structured questionnaire to 526 respondentsincluding focus group discussions with executive member of community forest user groups. The study found that average growth of Calamus tenuis in the community forests was 0.85 cms per year, the maximum growth attained up to 2.5 meter per year if they get associated trees to climb on. It’ is a clumpy palm, producing 3-7 rhizomes in one year and reaches up to 25 rhizomes in 3-4 years period. There are 15 to 25percent immature culms in a clump with estimate the number of clumps per hectare in managed rattan forest are 200 to 500. Growing stock is estimated from 38,860 to 39,560 per hectare in the community forest comprising about 57 percent large size, 19 percent medium size and 24percent regeneration. The mean length was measured 5.80 meter and mean diameter 9.29 mm. Weight difference of rattan with and without leaf sheath is 25 percent, reduction in oven dry weight is 75.9 percent, and air dry weight is 32 percent. More than 20 CFUGs have produced natural rattan in the community forests of Kailali and Bardiya districts. By the number of CFUGs, Bardiya district has more than 19 CFUGs and Kailali district has one CFUG managing natural rattan. Total estimated production of rattan in both districts is over 250 metric ton. Harvesting is restricted due to limitation of provision of Initial Environment Examination (IEE). According to these conditions, CFUGs should have get approval the detail IEE. None of the CFUGS have prepared the IEE. In such a condition, CFUGs can only harvest less than five quintal (5000 kg) rattan as per approved FOP. The study concludes that despite site quality remains constant, the associated tree species to climb them are encouraging factor. Detail growing stock needs to be incorporated in the rattan management plan / forest operational plan to mainstream in the process.

This study highlights the contribution of rattan cane in livelihood resilient of rural people in Nepal. Rattan cane is used as raw material for rattan processing enterprises as well as livelihood resilient of community people. The study was designed based on the exploratory research and was carried out in Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) Kailali and Bardia district including rattan processing enterprises of major cities in Nepal. The main objective was to assess the contribution of rattan on capitals of Sustainable Livelihood Approaches (SLA) that increase resilient of community people. Systematic random sampling method was followed to take the sampling of rattan processing enterprises and CFUGs. Primary data was collected through open-ended questionnaire, and direct observations; and secondary data was collected from business reports, Forest Operational Plans, and audit reports. The questionnaire survey was conducted to 35 rattan entrepreneurs and rattan traders, and ten executive committee members of CFUGs and 526 household members. The quantitative data was analyzed using frequency of SPSS 20 software tools. The study found that rattan has been important source of income to improve their human capital, natural capital, physical capital, social capital and financial capital in relation to livelihood resilient in the community level, and creation of job in the enterprise level. The major constraints concerning the livelihood resilient was that investment was focused community development rather than household income, investment on rattan development and management was low, and weak employability focus. The study also identified a number of opportunities in the livelihood perspective such as enterprise development, employment generation to youths and linkage with service providers.

Public Land Forests (PLFs) represent a promising nature-based solution for climate-resilient landscape restoration in Churia-Terai region of Nepal. This study, conducted under the Building a Resilient in Churia Region of Nepal (BRCRN) project, assessed the ecological and socio-economic potential of PLFs across 26 river systems. A combination of geospatial analysis, climate change adaptation assessment, Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) tools, stakeholder consultations, and field validation was employed. Through this integrated approach, 83 sites covering 3,244 ha across 18 river systems were identified as viable for ecological restoration through community-led agroforestry interventions. Geospatial analysis played a critical role in site selection and ecosystem diagnosis. The tools applied included satellite imagery interpretation (Sentinel-2, Landsat-8), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) for terrain and watershed delineation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for land use classification, slope analysis, and overlay mapping. These tools enabled spatial prioritization of degraded public lands with high restoration potential. PLFs contribute to riverbank stabilization, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration, thereby mitigating flood and sedimentation risks and enhancing local adaptive capacity. Participatory governance and inclusive benefit-sharing further strengthen community ownership, particularly among marginalized populations. Despite enabling policies, challenges persist in tenure security, inter-agency coordination, and data integration. Scaling this model requires strengthened institutional frameworks and strategic investment to align ecological restoration with pro-poor development and climate mitigation goals.

This article presents an investigation into the pivotal role of ecological habitat management in the preservation of the Critically Endangered Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis). The study was conducted in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its Buffer Zone area from May 2022 to October 2023. The primary aim was to employ indigenous knowledge for the restoration of degraded grassland habitat and subsequently revive the population of the Bengal florican. Findings indicate that the grassland habitat crucial for the Bengal florican is contingent upon specific grass species, association with grazing herbivores, proximity to water bodies, availability of grains and insects for sustenance, minimal human disturbances, and a partial distribution of bushes within the grassland. This article integrates empirical data derived from population censuses, monitoring efforts, and surveys conducted among observers and local residents within the Buffer Zone of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The synthesis of this evidence underscores the potential for safeguarding and conserving the Bengal florican habitat to mitigate the declining population trend observed within the KTWR. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at informing effective conservation strategies for the Bengal florican, thereby offering insights into the broader realm of endangered species management and ecological preservation.

Public Land Forests (PLFs) are emerging as a practical and inclusive nature-based solution for restoring degraded landscapes while strengthening climate resilience in the Churia–Terai region of Nepal. This study examines whether PLFs contribute meaningfully to ecological restoration through participatory, agroforestry-based approaches, guided by the hypothesis that community-led PLF interventions enhance ecological integrity and adaptive capacity in climate-vulnerable river systems. The study was conducted under the Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal (BRCRN) project, covering 26 river systems. A mixed-methods framework integrating geospatial analysis, climate adaptation assessment, Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) tools, stakeholder consultations, and field validation was employed to capture both ecological and socio-economic dimensions. The study identified 83 PLF sites, spanning 3,244 ha across 18 river systems, as priority areas for restoration. Geospatial techniques, including satellite imagery (Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8), NDVI analysis, Digital Elevation Models (DEM), and GIS-based land use and terrain analysis, enabled systematic identification and prioritisation of degraded public lands with high restoration potential. The findings indicate that PLFs play a significant role in stabilising riverbanks, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon, thereby reducing flood and sedimentation risks while improving local resilience to climate variability. Importantly, participatory governance and inclusive benefit-sharing mechanisms foster local ownership and ensure that restoration benefits reach marginalised and vulnerable communities. Despite supportive policy provisions, challenges related to land tenure clarity, institutional coordination, and data integration continue to limit wider implementation. The study underscores that scaling PLFs as a landscape restoration strategy requires stronger institutional alignment, improved governance mechanisms, and sustained investment to effectively link ecological restoration with livelihood improvement and climate mitigation goals.

This study highlights the processing and marketing of rattan canes with reference to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study was designed based on the exploratory research, and was carried out in all the districts of Nepal with rattan enterprises. The main objective was to assess the processing status, supply, and demand including constraints and potentialities of rattan-canes as well as their marketing practices. Systematic random sampling method was followed to take the sampling of rattan processing enterprises of CFUGs. The questionnaire survey was conducted among35 rattan entrepreneurs cum rattan traders and ten executive committee members of CFUGs. The quantitative data was analyzed using Frequency. The study found that hanger, cradle, stools, chairs, and tables were largely manufactured items among all the rattan-cane products. The annual consumption of imported rattan from India and other countries ranged from 850 MT to 1094 MT. Nepalese rattan fulfills 30% of the total demand. The average marketing margin of rattan products was found to be 37-64%. Nepalese rattan is potential to fulfill 70-80% of the total domestic demand of smaller size strands of rattan.