School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses
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ItemImpacts of national park on local communities : a case study of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Bhutan( 2006)Bhutan has a rich and varied biodiversity that has both regional and global significance. It has been declared one of the world's ten most important global biodiversity `hotspots'. In order to protect and preserve this mega-diversity, Bhutan has devoted 26 per cent of its total land area to designated Protected Areas (PAs). Another nine per cent is set aside for biological corridors connecting all PAs in the country. Empirical evidence worldwide indicates that the establishment of PAs such as National Parks can impact on populations through restrictions on traditional resource use and crop and livestock losses to wild animals. No studies have yet been conducted in Bhutan but anecdotal evidence suggests that similar stories of constraint and restriction are emerging in the country. The aim of this research is to explore how the establishment of PAs in Bhutan is impacting on local residents. Using a qualitative case study approach, this study explores the perceptions of villagers, local elected leaders and government officials residing in two districts of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP). The results suggest that declaring a National Park has been perceived by rural communities as yielding a number of negative consequences. These include the restriction of access to traditionally-used resources and increased depredation of crops and livestock by Park animals. However, many respondents expressed their support for the protection of remaining natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Residents also recognise and appreciate the support provided by the Park management in the form of supplies such as seeds, seedlings, breeding bulls, machinery and budget for school and clinic improvement. Respondents expressed their desire for continued or even increased support in future. Residents' perceptions of the Park and its impacts appear to be particularly influenced by their level of dependence on natural resources, family wealth and proximity to markets and Park offices. The study also shows that the whole process of Park conceptualisation, establishment and management is seen as having been imposed. Residents do not understand how the Park was conceptualised and established. Their participation in Park related planning and decision-making processes is limited to small elites. Furthermore, the authorities of JSWNP are seen to be placing too much emphasis on the enforcement of Park rules, to deter people from extracting natural resources. This has led to resentment among the local residents. Enforcement of rules is also said to be inconsistent across the villages studied. While there is some concern amongst residents about the imposition of restriction, there exists a strong local conservation ethic and traditional resource management institutions in rural communities within the Park. However, these are largely unacknowledged by conventional conservation strategies, which are based on western scientific knowledge. The conventional conservation strategies need rethinking. They provide limited opportunity for long-term success of the Park as they disengage local residents from the conservation processes. Successful Park management will require a shift from an imposed conservation ethic - which retains external control of the management and end-uses of Park resources - to an approach which devolves more responsibility and decision-making authority to local communities. This would mean increasing engagement with local people, a shift from `policing' to monitoring and research, an acknowledgement of the local conservation ethic and the provision of alternative economic opportunities. Finally, more research is needed to increase our understanding of residents' perceptions and attitudes about National Parks, the ecological footprints of residents on Park resources and the role of local conservation ethic and institutions. Such understanding will enable future policy and decision makers to develop informed decisions and policies that are more likely to engage local people in the conservation process.
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ItemSpecies composition of improved dairy pastures in Bumthang, Bhutan( 2005)Multilocation studies of forage mixtures since 1970s identified white clover, cocksfoot, tall fescue and Italian ryegrass as appropriate pasture mixture for Bhutanese temperate environments. To date, there has been limited evidence on the long-term sustainability of these mixtures in farmer managed environments. Forty-one grazed pastures and fifty cut pastures were sampled in the elevation range of 2500-3500 m asl. Species composition was expressed in terms of tiller/growing point density of grass and legume species. Tiller core technique was used to measure plant densities. Soil samples were collected from depth profile of 5- 15cm. The dried soil samples were analysed for P, K, pH and texture. Dairy farmers were interviewed to obtain paddock histories and information on defoliation management. The tiller density of cocksfoot was higher in cut pastures though cocksfoot was negatively associated with cutting frequency. Cocksfoot was negatively associated with white clover and Italian ryegrass for both cut and grazed pastures. Soil pH was negatively associated with pasture age. Negative associations between K and pasture age was observed for both cut and grazed pastures. White clover was positively associated with P in grazed pastures. Italian ryegrass was positively associated with P, soil pH and moisture in grazed pastures. Available P was negatively associated with elevation. Cocksfoot abundance in cut pastures has been attributed to cocksfoot being a well adapted hay type species. The lower tiller density of cocksfoot in grazed pastures may be the consequence of continuous grazing without adequate rest period. White clover is positively associated with available P due to white clover being a well known plant that requires adequate levels of available P. The positive association between Italian ryegrass and pH has been explained by the greater availability of P with increasing pH. A decline in the levels of available K in older pastures was related to repeated defoliation without K inputs to replace the losses.
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ItemManagement and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) : a case study from Punakha District, Bhutan( 2004)The objective of this study was to produce an accurate estimate of the yields of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under village management condition in Punakha district, western Bhutan. The study also considered important agronomic factors of productions such as types and usage of fertilizers, chilli varieties, planting density, spacing, methods of sowing and transplanting. A total of 50 farming households from two Gewogs (sub-districts) of Talo and Guma were selected in Punakha. Of these, 24 households cultivated chilli using farmyard manure (FYM) and 26 used FYM and inorganic fertilizers (FYM+I). Farmers were interviewed about their farming practices. Yields were recorded on a weekly basis for six weeks within demarcated plots of 5x5 meters in farmers' fields. Soil samples from the sites were collected and analysed for soil nutrient status. Results indicated a very large variation in the yields of fresh green chilli. The average yield was estimated to be 23 t/ha, with the highest yield 37.6 t/ha and lowest 13.6 t/ha. Fertilizer applications also showed wide variations in rates and types. No significant correlations could be established between yield and any factor of production, including fertilizer use and type. The weak relationships seem to derive from a number of issues including farmers' individual methods of cultivating chilli, differences in level of inputs, limited resources and labour shortage. The soil fertility status was found to be relatively low, although there was an abundance of some elements of soil nutrients in the FYM cultivated sites. It is suggested that research centres in the region should conduct more on-station research trials, to establish science-based extension advice for chilli farmers and narrow the variation in the yields of chilli. This will improve the predictability of chilli yields, which is of great interest to farmers. It should be possible to increase the current average yield from 23 t/ha to 30-35 t/ha, develop and recommend the optimum use of fertilizers for chilli production, preserve the local chilli provenance through breeding programs and develop simple, tested agronomic practices which suit farming system which have limited access to human labour.