BackgroundWild orchids are illegally harvested and traded in Nepal for use in local traditional medicine, horticulture, and international trade. This study aims to: 1) identify the diversity of species of wild orchids in trade in Nepal; 2) study the chain of commercialization from collector to client and/or export; 3) map traditional knowledge and medicinal use of orchids; and 4) integrate the collected data to propose a more sustainable approach to orchid conservation in Nepal.MethodsTrade, species diversity, and traditional use of wild-harvested orchids were documented during field surveys of markets and through interviews. Trade volumes and approximate income were estimated based on surveys and current market prices. Orchid material samples were identified to species level using a combination of morphology and DNA barcoding.ResultsOrchid trade is a long tradition, and illegal export to China, India and Hong Kong is rife. Estimates show that 9.4 tons of wild orchids were illegally traded from the study sites during 2008/2009. A total of 60 species of wild orchids were reported to be used in traditional medicinal practices to cure at least 38 different ailments, including energizers, aphrodisiacs and treatments of burnt skin, fractured or dislocated bones, headaches, fever and wounds. DNA barcoding successfully identified orchid material to species level that remained sterile after culturing.ConclusionsCollection of wild orchids was found to be widespread in Nepal, but illegal trade is threatening many species in the wild. Establishment of small-scale sustainable orchid breeding enterprises could be a valuable alternative for the production of medicinal orchids for local communities. Critically endangered species should be placed on CITES Appendix I to provide extra protection to those species. DNA barcoding is an effective method for species identification and monitoring of illegal cross-border trade.

Neglected and underutilized plant species have a potential to contribute to food security and poverty alleviation. Most plant species consumed as food across the world are neglected and underutilized. These includes plants with edible fruits, grains, leaves, nuts, oils, roots and tubers, fibers, medicines, spices, stimulants and their derived products. Until now, there was very limited information available on the utility of plants for different purposes in the study area. Thus, to minimize the gaps, the research was carried out at Bhadaure village of Kaski District, Nepal. Data were collected from the different sites through the application of Participatory Research Appraisal methods i.e. direct observation, household survey, individual interviews and key informant interview. This was followed by the field visit with the help of community members where collection of the plant samples and capturing of the photograph was done. Then each species was evaluated for nine parameters (extent of the production, extent of consumption, degree of consumption, perceived nutritional value, cultural importance, medicinal properties, market use, market value and contribution to household income). From the community interaction and field visit a list of 66 plants were extracted as underutilized plants in the study area. They were from various habitats. About 55% of the species were collected from natural or semi-natural vegetation, particularly forest. 33% of the plants were used for vegetable. The collection or harvesting period of the recorded plant were varies on the case of species. The availability of wild plants has also declined drastically. Young generation was not so much interested in these plants. Some of these plants were observed on market places being sold at competitive prices. Specific household members consume these plants. Commercialization of these fruits is mainly undertaken by the low resource base farmers.

Rauvolfia serpentina is a cosmopolitan in tropical habitats with more concentration in the tropics of Africa, Asia and America. Higher diversity has been recorded from the Indian Sub-continent region, especially around the gangetic plain areas. In Nepal, its distribution stretches from East to West up to an altitude of 900 m asl. Genetic resources are currently facing tremendous threats due to increased anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, habitat alteration and unsustainable harvesting for trade. A forest gene bank concept in which large range of gene sources is purposely put together is adapted to conserve genetic resources of the Rauvolfia serpentina plant. To enrich our knowledge regarding the natural habitat of the species, literature review, visit to the herbarium centre and field visits were preformed. All accumulated data was subjected to DIVA GIS to plot a predictive map of the plant habitat based on climate and altitude. The map depicts western Terai to be a safe zone for this species. Sinks and source area for the gene conservation concept revealed Bishnupur (Bardiya District) and Vajni (Kailali District) sites to be the sink areas, while other 34 sites as the source areas.

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The objective of this study was to assess the quantities of association between landslide events and causal factors in order to generate an accurate, updated landslide susceptibility map (LSM) of the Phewa watershed in Kaski, Gandaki District, Nepal. Landslides are the second-largest natural disasters of the world, and the costs of their damage could be more than those of all other multi-hazard disasters together. Nepal receives a lot of rain, especially during the monsoon season, which creates a number of water-induced risks each year, such as landslides. The LSM, which allows for effective landslide risk prediction. The most dependable and popular statistical approach for determining LSMs is the frequency ratio (FR) model. In ArcGIS 10.8, the LSM was created using eight causal factors. Five classes were represented in the LSM, with the low class having a large percentage (43.226%) and the high class having a low percentage (0.63%). In FR techniques, slope, proximity to a stream or road, land use/cover, precipitation, and proximity to a road are given greater weight than aspect, profile curvature, and plan curvature, which are given comparably less weight in this study area. Using the area under the curve (AUC), the model's performance was validated, and the performance was good, 0.71. The information given by this LSM, which provided the spatial distribution of the landslide and help to reduce landslide risk issues in the Phewa watershed, can be useful to researchers, communities, planners, and the government.