There is a need for a long-term commitment, strong economic base and trained human resources to improve the conservation and sustainable use of threatened species in Nepal. Human resources across the departments should be trained and awareness created. In the absence of these resources, conservation of endangered and threatened forest tree will not get any momentum. Along with the development of a national database on extant forest tree species, studies are needed to identify and document any unidentified tree species.
The DFRS and TISC are conducting tree improvement studies of a few vanishing tree species through in situ and ex situ conservation activities. Similarly, CFP is also contributing to the genetic conservation of forest trees. FUGs are seeking for assistance from forest technicians for better conservation and utilisation. Many valuable forest tree species are preserved through domestication on private lands of the farmers.
The DFRS is actively working on Eucalyptus spp., Azadirachta indica, Schima wallichii and also conducts provenance tests of these species. TISC is active in establishing seed stands in the natural forests, plantations, farmlands and studying species such as Albizia lebbeck, A. procera, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Lagerstroemia ovalifolia, Schima wallichii, Tectona grandis and Terminalia chebula.
In 1995, the DFRS initiated a contractual agreement for improved research in tree improvement. Several activities were planned and executed, however, due to unfortunate situations and circumstances the project was stopped. For more details on international projects, see Appendices 1,2 and 4. Nevertheless, the infrastructure and provenance trials are still intact and reporting is yet to be made. The DFRS therefore has a lot of potential in the field of tree improvement.
