The study entitle “Distribution, availability and utilization of NTFPs with a plan for effective management in Dovan VDC, Palpa district of Nepal” was carried out in Matribhumi Community Forestry, Dovan VDC-4 Palpa district of Nepal.

The main aim of study was to find out the status NTFPs in CF and recommend for the effective management of NTFPs in CF. There were all together 72 NTFPs were found in the study area. Out of them only 13 species were commercialize. Amala, Harro, Barro, Pipla, Kurelo, Nagbeli, titepati are commercial NTFPs of study area which are distributed in different block of CF. Pair wise preference ranking was done to determine the most viable species for enterprise development in the study sites in which highest score has got Amala, follow by Pipla, Harro, Barro, Chiure and Nagbeli. Amala trees were sparsely distributed in block 3 and 4 of study area and density of Amala trees were 1.01 tree/ha, where regeneration status is very low (less than 625 seeding/ha). Barro status was also very weak which has distributed in block- 1 & 3 and plant density was 2 and 1.6 tree/ha respectively. Density of Harro was 1.6, 3.6 and 1.9 tree/ha in block no-1, 3 and 5 respectively where regeneration status was very low (less than 550 seeding/ha). Density of Kurelo was 19 plant/ha. Density of Nagbeli and pipla was 325 and 124 plants/ha. Almost all CFs of Dovan VDC of Palpa districts harbors the commercial NTFPs.

The harvesting system has unsustainable harvesting practice.
There is no specific rule and regulation or operational plan regarding collection, sustainable harvesting and monitoring mechanism. The overall vulnerability of AMALA/HARRO/BARRO/CHIURE in Dovan VDC has a score of 38, similarly, 42 and 37 score of Kurelo and Nagbeli/Pipla respectively indicating a High vulnerability. More vulnerability has seen in Kurelo follow by Amala/Harro/Barro/chiure, and Nagbeli/Pipla. If the human pressure, unsustainable harvesting practice is reduced, and community-based natural NTFPs management system is put in place, the total score could fall down. Issues of sustainable NTFP management in Dovan VDC were Poor knowledge about NTFP species, their habitat and uses, Lack of systematic NTFP assessment techniques, Inadequate systematic and appropriate technology of cultivation, management and harvesting practices, Declining resource availability, Limited economic incentive to the collectors and community based management, Limited availability of marketing information, Lack of NTFP management provisions in forest operational plan of studied CF, Poor coordination, communication and monitoring, Unscientific and irrational royalty fixation system.

For the effective managements of NTFPs, firstly there must be amended Operational Plan (OP) and should have clear policy and management plan of NTFPs for implementation in CF. Annual allowable cut of six NTFP is : Amala (3178.9Kg ) , Kurilo (91 Kg ) , Nagbeli ( 4450 plants ),Harro (4716.75 Kg) , Barroo (3439.8 Kg) and Pipla (868 plants) and Chiure (5941 kg). Every year average 1,000 ton of NTFPs extract from Dovan VDC, out of them 60,000kg of Tetipati was extract follow by 50,000 kg of Tejpat barks, 35,000kg of Pakhanbedha, then Harro/Barro, Amala, Kurelo etc. Each year local collector of Dovan VDC has earning earn NRs 20, 31,000 from NTFPs collection