Wood energy management and knowledge in Pokhara area, Western Nepal

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods were used to study indigenous knowledge of wood energy production and consumption in Pokhara. Commercial and non-commercial uses were examined. Wood energy comes mainly from fuelwood, charcoal, sawdust and bamboo harvested in surrounding areas, but also from lowland regions and roadside fuelwood sellers in fuelwood sufficient areas. Thus, the distribution involves mainly producers (villagers) to consumers (townspeople), through one to three levels of middlemen in between.

Producers illegally harvesting government or community forests were also studied. Most are lower caste poor and landless people, trying to earn a living during the non-agricultural season (September-May).

While many urban householders have shifted to fossil fuels, certain industries still rely on charcoal and wood from the forest. The depletion of sal (Shorea robusta), khair (Acacia catechu) and kaphal (Myrica esculanta) threatens the forests. Producers retain a rich working knowledge of forest resources, which has potential payoffs for more sustainable and equitable forest resource policy. (author)