A. L. Hammett

Non-wood fiber as an alternative to wood fiber in China's pulp and paper industry

Summary The pulp and paper industry in China has been growing rapidly as the nations population and economy have grown. As a result, there has been a huge demand for pulp and paper raw materials. China has a long tradition for using non-wood raw materials for pulp and paper due to its limited forest resources and rich supply of agricultural residues and non-wood plants. Agricultural residues, such as rice straw and wheat straw, are traditional raw materials for Chinas paper industry. Massive plantation of bamboo provides an increasingly important source of raw material for pulp and paper. Problems with non-wood fiber include collection and transportation, storage and handling, washing, bleaching, papermaking, and chemical recovery. Small mills, primary users of non-wood fiber, are typically deficient in pollution control and subject to government closure. This paper reviews non-wood fibers commonly used in Chinas pulp and paper industry. By increased knowledge of use of non-wood fibers, wood suppliers can plan for access to the growing Chinese market.

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION OF SMALLHOLDERS AFFLICTED BY HIV/AIDS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

ABSTRACT A review of references regarding the nutritional composition of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) commonly consumed in sub-Saharan Africa was conducted. Species having significant amounts of nutrients critical to the nutrition of people living with HIV/AIDS were short listed, and their nutritional values compared to those of recommended conventional foods and daily nutrient intakes. The current and potential value of edible NTFPs in contributing to the nutritional needs of people living with HIV/AIDS suggests that the integration of natural resources and natural resource management in multisectoral HIV/AIDS programs is appropriate and necessary. The process through which such integration can be achieved is explained and demonstrated. Recommendations are made on how the natural resource sector can cooperate with the health sector in the development of nutrition interventions adapted to the coping strategies of HIV/AIDS-afflicted smallholders.

The role of private wildlife reserves in Nicaragua's emerging ecotourism industry.

Ecotourism promises to be the fastest growing segment of Nicaraguas fledgling tourist industry, which is already the countrys second highest generator of foreign exchange. Development of a lucrative ecotourism industry offers a unique opportunity for Nicaragua to unify economic growth with natural resource stewardship in a single sustainable development strategy. However, as ecotourism is largely dependent on protected area systems, the current condition of Nicaraguas public protected area system is a major obstacle to the industrys development. Limited by inadequate public financing, the establishment of private wildlife reserves can compliment Nicaraguas under-developed public protected area system, further enhancing the desirability of Nicaragua as an ecotourist destination. The opportunities and constraints of private reserve establishment are examined in this study of Nicaraguas first legally recognised private wildlife reserve.

Developing a scale for evaluating ecotourism by visitors: a study in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Ecotourism has become a valuable industry in developing countries with a promise of reconciling nature conservation and economic development goals. A sample of 315 international visitors to the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), Nepal was surveyed in April and May of 2006 to assess how they gathered information, evaluated ecotourism and rated their levels of satisfaction from their ecotourism experience. We developed a statistically valid and reliable ecotourism evaluation scale containing seven items through confirmatory factor analysis to assess visitors’ perceptions of the socio-economic and environmental outcomes of ecotourism. Visitors’ age, prior visits to the area, the use of a guide and perceptions of safety significantly influenced visitors’ evaluations, though combined to explain only a small portion of the variance in their evaluations. Contrary to a general expectation, visitors’ ecotourism evaluations were not related to their level of satisfaction associated with their visits. Overall, visitors expressed high levels of satisfaction with their visits and favorably evaluated ecotourism outcomes in the ACA. Repeat visitors exhibited more negative opinions about ecotourism outcomes. The findings suggest a link between hiring guides and visitors’ increased overall satisfaction and favorable evaluations of ecotourism. Perceptions of security also raised evaluation levels, but were not linked to hiring guides.

Non-timber forest products marketing systems and market players in southwest Virginia: crafts, medicinal and herbal, and specialty wood products

Abstract Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important in rural southwest Virginia as a source of household income. Marketing system of crafts, medicinal and herbal, and specialty wood products are studied using exploratory and qualitative research methods. Fifty market players at various levels in marketing chains are interviewed to get the information on elements of marketing system -products, product differentiation, value addition, pricing, promotion, distribution, and marketing chains. NTFP trade is a common phenomenon in southwest Virginia. The greatest opportunity exists for local level marketing of crafts and specialty wood products. In the case of medicinal and herbal products, very little local value addition takes place within the region, and as a result local market players have little control. Policy interventions are required to enhance the returns to local collectors, which will also contribute to sustainable management of forest resources.

LAL SALAM AND HARIO BAN: THE EFFECTS OF THE MAOIST INSURGENCY ON COMMUNITY FORESTRY IN NEPAL

ABSTRACT Many have recognized community forestry as Nepals most successful development initiative. It empowers communities not only to take responsibility for management of their forest resources, but also provides them with an economic base to lead local development efforts. For the past ten years, Nepal has been embroiled in a Maoist led insurgency that has limited official government access to many rural areas. This paper examines the impact of the insurgency on the community forestry programme, with special respect to the functioning of forestry user groups. Note: Recent political events in Nepal have taken a positive turn. Future research will tell the complete story of the impact of the period on community forestry and on the resiliency of forest user groups.1

Constraints and opportunities to forest policy implementation in Albania

Abstract Although forest statutes are formulated with the intent of achieving selected goals and objectives, the gap between such intent and the actual implementation remains wide in Albania. Even though the current unstable political and economic situation has made forest policy implementation uncertain and disordered, it is still possible to fit the process into models and frameworks. In a ‘top-down’ approach, the constraints that lead to implementation failures are identified and assessed by analysing factors or variables thought to influence the process. An active involvement of the stakeholders in the formulation of forest policies will considerably facilitate the process of choosing effective policy tools according to criteria adopted. Policy makers in Albania should utilise more incentive-based approaches in addition to punitive measures that dominate the current forest legislation. Developing the evaluation capacity of forestry-related institutions will assist in the formulation of appropriate policies and increase the chances of successful implementation.

Making forest projects sustainable: optimal harvesting plan for the Sagarnath plantation in Nepal.

Abstract At present Nepals demand for forest products exceeds its production. The Sagarnath Forest Development Project with its 10,000 hectares in sissoo and eucalyptus plantations may fulfill part of the countrys requirement of firewood and timber products. To ensure the sustainable management of these plantations, a harvesting plan was developed. Linear programming was applied to obtain optimal harvesting levels. Models for both sissoo and eucalyptus were run with and without nondeclining, and even flow constraints separately. Linear Interactive and Discrete Optimizer (LINDO) was used to run these models. The plan with even flow constraints was found to be the best fulfilling the demands of both timber and fuelwood to some extent and making the harvest financially sustainable.