Plant Diversity, Ethnobotany and Conservation Issues at Swoyambhu World Heritage, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Lying at western corner of the Kathmandu city, the Swoyambhu hillock (1403.76m) represents a surviving pristine forest in the metropolitan capital of Nepal. Once an extension of Jamaca (2096m) with luxuriant sub-tropical forest is now invaded by dense human population and other developmental activities. This hillock is still rich with a total plant species of 319. Of them, 65 are trees, 43 shrubs, 194 herbs and 17 climbers. Northern slope of the hillock is rich in tree species with scattered patches of under-growing bushes and ferns, whereas southern, western and eastern slopes are much disturbed with exotic species of plants, creating challenges to the norms of the heritage standard. Domination by Pinus roxburghii (chire pine) and Eucalyptus, Jacaranda and Callistemon, etc are altering the indigenous nature of the hillock. And also the forested hillock has been randomly utilized for refreshment, yoga, ayurbedic remedy and food. Due to growing constructions and exploitations, the forested hillock is now facing a threat to maintain its pristine ecosystem. <i>Nepal Journal of Science and Technology</i> Vol. 7, 2006

Documentation of Invasive Alien Plants Species of Rupandehi District, Western Nepal

“…Nepal has 5856 flowering plants (NBS, 2002) of which 246 plants are endemic (Shrestha and Joshi 1996). The protected areas of Nepal have 140 endemic plant species, while remaining 106 (out of 246) occur outside of protected areas (Shrestha, 1999). The ancient practice on cultivation of imported varieties of crops (maize, potato, tomato, and sweet potato), fruits (papaya, guava), ornamental (marigold, Mirabilis, Bougainvillea) (Tiwari et al, 2005) (Tiwari et al, 2005, Kunwar 2003, Rai and Scarborough 2013.…”

Community participation in biodiversity conservation in Nepal.

“…These macro-policies reflect, among others, central and regional government regulations pertaining to land use management and resource conservation and therefore affect a rural community's access to land and natural resources and, for that matter, can be strong determinants or deterrents in community participation in conservation programs (Little 1994). For example, the nationalization of forests in Nepal in the early 1950s led to a breakdown of traditional community resource management institutions and practices resulting in widespread deforestation in the country (Shrestha 1999).…”

“…A combination of geomorphologic, altitudinal and climatic variations in the conservation area has created ideal conditions for a wide variety of vegetation types, such as broadleaf and coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and even alpine deserts (Shrestha 1999). …”

“…Since the Annapurna region is situated at the intersection of the two major bioregions between the east and west Himalayas, it houses an astonishing number of floral and faunal species, representing both the bioregions (KMTNC 2002, Shrestha 1999. Faunal richness of the conservation area includes 21 species of amphibians, 39 species of reptile, 478 species of birds, and 101 species of mammal (DNPWC 2003, KMTNC 1997.…”

“…Nepal's CNP shares this problem. Despite thirty years of strict conservation efforts with armed military support, the park has failed to control poaching of the endangered one-horned rhinoceroses, Royal Bengali tigers and other wild animals, just as it has failed to discourage illegal logging and firewood collection (DNPWC 2003, Shrestha 1999, Nepal and Weber 1993. Africa is not much different.…”