Essential Oils from the Alpine Areas of the Himalayas

by Appropriate Technology International

Partners:

Appropriate Technology International (ATI) Asian Network for Small-scale Agricultural Bioresources (ANSAB) The Humla Conservation and Development Association (HCDA)

Success Stories

While it is much too early to make "biodiversity conservation conclusions," anecdotal information is encouraging. For example, villagers have stopped burning some of the pastures so as not to disturb growth of NTFPs and collectors are eager to get information on what is a sustainable harvesting level from the test plot experiments.

Furthermore, communities in the project area are actively participating in the process of handing over community forest and pasture land from the government to community groups. In Nepal, this transition represents the greatest degree of local control that can be awarded over areas formally belonging to the Government. In Humla, the land being handed over constitutes virtually all of the areas where NTFPs are collected and thus represents an unprecedented advance for local communities' ability to gain control over their natural resource base. Community members are working closely with HCDA and ANSAB to develop group constitutions and management plans that are needed for the formal awarding process to proceed. Two hand overs have taken place so far this year, with three more expected before the close of 1996.

Challenges

Accessing Indian buyers (the largest market for jatamansi oil) and negotiating sales continues to be problematic for Humla Oil Pvt. Ltd., a newly established company without the long standing trade links that Indian buyers rely upon. Humla Oil wasted valuable time the first year trying to negotiate a brokering agreement with an Indian firm. This fell through when they were not willing to promote Jatamansi oil at a reasonable floor price. To date, a suitable partner to act as distributor for Humla Oil in India has not been identified. This was originally thought to be the best way to enter the Indian market as Humla Oil's understanding of Indian products and markets is limited.

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