No abstract

Forests are the fundamental natural resource regarded as the crucial aspect to uplift rural livelihood in Nepal. Forest, not only acquaints us with ecosystem services but also deals with carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in forest soil, serving the most crucial part of human welfare. However, several human forces such as construction of roads, deforestation, shifting cultivation, overgrazing, and forest fires have decreased the organic matter content and contributed to landslides, erosion and sedimentation in forest. Frequent landslides, soil erosion on the landscape of Nepal is degrading the environment and soil, where 1.7mm of fertile topsoil is lost annually. Considering the fact, present study points to recognize the status of forest soil, its relationship and necessity of sustainable soil conservation practices. Secondary sources of data were used to assemble the related information. Hence, Involvement of different institutions, policy, law, local participation and community-based approach is significantly important in adopting forest soil conservation approaches. Different strategies of carbon sequestration should be maintained by increasing plant cover, enhancing microbes, utilizing agricultural inputs and slowing down the amount of soil disturbances. Likewise, strengthening different thematic areas of Forest Policy 2015 is indispensable in effective implementation of sub sectoral programmes. Forest management strategies incorporating the concepts of carbon storage, buffer strips, terracing, windbreaks, agroforestry, conservation tillage are the major areas highlighted through this paper for further researchers on preserving forest land.

Watersheds are acknowledged as a paramount form of green substructure that provides us with important services like; drinking water, irrigation water, fodder/forage, pebbles/boulders, and timber including recreational, regulating, and other available services. The hills and mountains of Nepal are the watershed areas with the most fragile ecosystem and poor agricultural potential, as more than 15% of the total population of the country and 13% of the total land area is covered by Chure that has fragile ranges of hills. Hence, it can’t be denied from the fact that many of Nepal’s watersheds are in a state of physical and biological deterioration where landslides, soil erosion, floods, biodiversity loss, unsustainable water extraction, and farming practices are among the major issues leading towards watershed degradation. Therefore, proper strategies like developing stream and rainwater harvesting programs, strict implementation of EIA, IEE, adoption of SALT technology for income generation, etc. needs to be prioritized based on the principles of integrated watershed management while planning, monitoring & implementing soil and watershed management.