Understanding Biodiversity Conservation and Buffer zone Vegetation in Manahari Buffer Zone Village Development Committee, Chitwan National Park

Abstract

This study entitled “Understanding Biodiversity Conservation and Buffer Zone Vegetation, in Manahari Buffer Zone Village Development Committee, Chitwan National Park.” was carried out in the Buffer Zone (BZ) of the Chitwan National park. It includes two wards (ward no 1 and 2) of Manahari VDC, Makawanpur district. The study aims to find out the dependency of the local people in the park resources and the income generation activities in relations to rhino status. Vegetation analysis of the community forests in the buffer zone, socioeconomic survey in 62 households and GIS analysis of land use change were done. About 11 tree species, 40 shrub species and 18 herb species were recorded in 222.47 ha. The fuelwood and fodder resources of the buffer zone were insufficient and the harvest practice was not sustainable. The total demand of fuelwood and fodder was 2002.03 t/ha and 3099 t/ha respectively where only 23 percent and 27 percent were supplied from the BZ forest. Unpalatable species like Lantana sp and Mikania sp had high density (7880/ha and 7240/ha) and frequency (80 percent and 70 percent) of these species are higher too. There were no timbers available. Poaching and killing of the wildlife species were not reported. The economic status was relatively poor in compared to the other areas and crop production was not sufficient. The illegal harvest of the park resources and encroachment in the Buffer zone forest was ongoing. The migration in this area was ongoing and this could increase more pressure on park resources and also forest of the BZ. In addition, the 1992 land use map of Manahari VDC shows 4.6 percent decrease in forest coverage.