Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany of NTFPs in Sirdibas, Gorkha of Manaslu Conservation Area, Gandaki Province, Nepal

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26 April 2026/१३ वैशाख २०८३ (आइतबार, दिउँसो ३ बजे)
Research Seminar Series
Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany of NTFPs in Sirdibas, Gorkha of Manaslu Conservation Area, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Samir Bhandari, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract:
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) includes all biological resources other than timber. The Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) contains 19 forest types that host numerous protected and endemic NTFP species. The study was conducted in Sirdibas, MCA, specifically focusing on the Pansing and Nyaak sites. Fieldwork took place in March 2025. Ecological sampling utilized a systematic random sampling design across three elevation bands of lower (1550–1780m), mid (1950–2180m) and higher (2350–2580m). The study documented 84 potential NTFP species belonging to 47 families. Ethnobotanical findings revealed the medicinal use was the most frequent category, with 68 species utilized for health purposes. In Pansing and Nyaak, the tree layer was dominated by Pinus wallichiana (Gobre salla) and Rhododendron arboreum (Lali gurans), which recorded the highest IVI values. Among shrubs, Zanthoxylum acanthopodium, Nepali Name-Boke Timur (IVI- 38.36) was the most dominant in Nyaak, while Rubus pedunculosis (Kalo ainselu) and other Zanthoxylum species were prominent across sites. The herb layer was dominated by Anaphalis contarta (IVI- 26.96) and Drepanostachyum falcatum (Sano Nigalo). The study concludes that the MCA is a vital reservoir of NTFP diversity that is essential for the ecological balance and socio-economic survival of the Gurung community. There is a clear trend of declining resources while diversity remains high, particularly in the understory due to over exploitation and environmental changes.

Keywords: Flora, Gurung community, IUCN, IVI, Socioeconomic.