Indigenous Knowledge on Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Utilization of Bamboo (NIGALO) and Himalayan Nettle (ALLO) in Sikles Area of Kaski District, Central Nepal

Abstract

The present work is an assessment concerning the Ethnobotany and socio-economic importance of Nigalo and Allo works in the Sikles area, Kaski, Central Nepal. Altogether 111 species of plants were documented along with scientific name, family, use categories, phenology, distribution, description, parts used, uses along with local name (Gurung). These species belongs to 97 genera and 64 families with 100 species of Angiosperms, four species of Gymnosperms, four species of Pteridophytes, two species of fungi and one species of Lichen. Based on the uses, 66 species had medicinal value used for the treatment of 36 diseases and disorders, along with 14 species for veterinary use, similarly 47 species were edible, 16 species were ceremonial, 15 species were poisonous plants, 10 dye yielding plants, seven used for agricultural implements, four fibre yielding plants, four handicraft making plants, four gum yielding plants, three hedge and shade plants, three broomstick plants, two detergent plants, and four miscellaneous. The knowledge on the traditional use of NTFPs (particularly medicinal value) has been limited only to traditional healers and elderly people of the study area. Due to habit destruction, grazing and over exploitation, lack of knowledge about these important resources, lack of conservation and cultivation awareness and proper uses have resulted many plants in the verge of extinction. Nigalo and Allo craft is an age-old tradition among the Gurungs of Sikles village. However, their knowledge and technology of collecting, processing, and production of various items has yet to be adequately documented, evaluated and promoted. Nigalo and Allo weaving have good potentiality to be established as a Forest Based Small Scale Enterprises (FBSSEs). FBSSEs are of particular important because a substantial portion of their labour force is made up of economically disadvantaged groups like women and landless people. A number of constrains like lack of raw materials, improved technological inputs, little access to markets, lack of transportation, competition with the imported commodities and insufficiency of dissemination of their products and others are hindering the institutional development of Nigalo and Allo weaving.