Indigenous knowledge systems and agroforestry projects in the central hills of Nepal

The introductory part of this paper discusses the difficulties associated with surveys which aim to collect information on the character and attitudes of project populations (as illustrated by a forestry survey on household owned trees in Nepal), and important elements of research into indigenous knowledge systems and agroforestry. The main part of the paper presents elements from a case study in the middle hills of Nepal to illustrate the potential of using a positive attitude in development orientated research. It also demonstrates how practical, low-cost, multidisciplinary research techniques were used to investigate indigenous knowledge on tree fodder resources in a rural community in Nepal - a panchayat in Parbat District, which was studied from November 1987 to June 1988. It is shown how this approach may assist planners and researchers in developing an understanding of indigenous knowledge systems, the people they wish to work with, and the formulation of agroforestry activities.