Following the non-timber forest products (NTFP) training, people are aware of the most common NTFPs that could be traded on a large scale such as Sal seed, Ritha, Timur, Dalchini/Tejpat, Sabai grass (or Babiyo) and Satawari (or Kurilo). People have realized that deforestation, habitat degradation, and unsustainable harvesting are the major reasons for the depletion of NTFPs.

The key persons who received NTFP training shared their knowledge at eight events at the community level that benefitted 740 people. People developed their skills in post-harvest treatment (cleaning, drying, grading, storage, etc) of collected Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). As much as 70 people used the gained knowledge on sustainable harvesting and wise use of NTFPs into practice.

More than 850 school students got general knowledge about the NTFPs conservation through extracurricular activities. At least 250 students got informed about the conservation of NTFPs and their sustainable harvesting through a video documentary. Thirty-five non-school going children benefitted from gothala education (herder education) on the issues related to NTFPs conservation, development and their wise harvesting.

Four inclusive NTFPs conservation and development Sub-committees were formed where 44 leaders organized NTFPs advocacy and campaigns on a large scale. The project facilitated to develop 44 local resource persons for NTFPs conservation and development and identified 50 local medicinal plants to be conserved to prevent their extinction. Four NTFPs Conservation Plans are in place to advance small scale interventions through resource leverage from internal and external agencies. Thanks to the project, knowledge is increased about the wise use of NTFPs among Guruwa (local Baidhya), traditional healers, Ayurvdic shop operators and Ayurvedic technicians.

The project published 2000 copies of ?NTFPs Provisions in Nepal?s Policies, Acts, Regulations and Strategies? and more than 800 people internalized the policy provisions. A total of 1600 students benefitted from the school based programs for NTFPs knowledge dissemination with the help of these IEC materials.

More than 30 people graduated on nursery construction and its management techniques and more than 70% participants developed their knowledge on required materials and step-wise process while constructing the nursery. It was assessed that more than 50% participants would be able to translate newly acquired skills and knowledge into practice. More than 12000 seedlings were developed from two nurseries for cultivation. The tendency of preparing small private nursery is increasing following the establishment of two community managed nurseries in Patana VDC. Once the people knew the rationale of conservation of Vijaysal, youth/children- took many important steps for their conservation.

The seedlings planted/cultivated in the community forest and private forest are Ritha, Bakaino, Amala, Jamun, Arjun Simal, Siris, Khayar, Bel, Neem, Bamboo, Harro, Barro. Plantation work was carried out in 24 ha of land (4 ha in Motipur and 20 ha in Danapur) and in 7 ha of private forest/land. People identified the most preferred NTFPs based on the local criteria and also internalized the multiple benefits of NTFPs in wide range of activities. The project also supported to cultivate Mentha in more than 15ha of land. On an average, the majority of the families are able to fetch NRs 3000 to NRs 5000 per months from off-seasonal vegetable farming. Community people are also benefitted from improved manure management, drainage improvement and indoor and outdoor sanitation.

Because of forest conservation and systematic grazing practice, grass land is now abundant within the forest, wetlands and riverine forests are revived. Kothi River, which passes though the east side of the Patana forest, has also contributed for this. Patana forest is an important bio-corridor and links Terai forest with Churia and Mahabharat area.