| Abstract | The flora of Nepal consists of some 7000 species of vascular plants of which 252 are endemic, There are more than 75 vegetation types spread across an area of 147181 square kilometres. About 14% of the area of the country has been brought under protection. More than 700 species of medicinal plants grow wild in the country, the majority of which are used in folk herbal remedies. Every year, over 15000 tons of medicinal herbs, representing some 100 species are harvested from the wild for commercial and industrial purposes. Useful wild plants of the Nepal Himalaya are of critical importance to hundreds of thousands of rural people as sources of nutrition, health care, raw materials and cash income. The interaction between these people and the wild plant resources has emerged as the most important factor in sustaining the region. In Nepal, quantitative analyses of the effect of extraction of natural plant populations are lacking. Indiscriminate collection, not in accordance with any regulatory procedure or recognised management practices, has threatened the survival of some species and reduced the quality of many wild species. The threat to biodiversity originates from the activities of the rural communities suffering from ignorance, poverty and lack of employment opportunities. Therefore, a key aspect of any campaign for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources is enhancing community awareness and participation. Sustainable development and biodiversity conservation must be firmly linked if Nepal is to assure the conservation of its natural resources and meet the needs and improve the quality of life of its present and future generations. |