The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR

agencies and industry associations to get their view and perspectives on specific
issues and problems affecting the industry. Additionally, secondary information was
collected as and where it was available.
The summaries here are abstracted from the original reports to INBAR. This
information has also been supplemented with data from the current author's field
experiences in several of the study areas, and from secondary sources. Altogether six
studies each were carried out in both bamboo and rattan sectors.
The Bamboo Sector
Extensive Bamboo Production-to-Consumption Systems in Eastern
Nepal: a Case Study 3
Introduction
Bamboo is integral to the rural economy of Nepal. It is used in many applications
in construction, fencing, as food and fodder, and as raw material for agricultural
implements, baskets and other utility items. Bamboo is also increasingly important as
a basis for small enterprises that provide upwards of 100 000 workdays of employment
annually.
Bamboos are found in all three major ecological zones in Nepal (Tarai, Mid-hills
and Mountains). They are more concentrated in the eastern half of the country, with
the largest numbers and variety being found in areas with the highest rainfall. Nepal
has both tropical bamboos typical of Southeast Asia and temperate bamboos of Tibet
and Bhutan.
This study investigated the bamboo production-to-consumption system (PCS) in
three districts of the Eastern Tarai Region of Nepal ---- Siraha, Saptari and Udaypur
---- where bamboo is produced extensively both in natural forests and on farms. The
area has a strong bamboo-based rural enterprise sector, although the local economy
is predominantly agricultural with limited opportunities for off-farm employment.
With a high rate of population growth (3.0% per year) in the region, strategies are
needed to provide livelihood options that do not compete for agricultural land or
otherwise affect food production.
The bamboo sector appears to offer good potential in this area. Recent policy
changes have opened the way for increased and more secure utilization of public
land by communities. There is a high level of subsistence/utility use of bamboo and
3 By Madhav Karki (International Development Research Centre, South Asian Regional Office, New
Delhi, India), Gopal Sherchan (Forest Research and Survey Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal) and Jaya Bahadur
Karki (Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal).
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