TITLE:
Peoples’ Perception and Conservation of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó in Manaslu Conservation Area, Central Nepal
AUTHORS:
Bikram Pandey, Arbindra Timilsina, Binita Pandey, Chhabi Lal Thapa, Kamal Bahadur Nepali, Pradeep Neupane, Resham Thapa, Sunil Kumar Gaire, Mohan Siwakoti
KEYWORDS:
Local Perceptions, Conservation and Management, Orchid, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Samagaun VDC, Manaslu Conservation Area
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.7 No.12,
August
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: The present study analyzes
the information and perception of the local community of Samagaun VDC, Manaslu Conservation
Area Project (MCAP) regarding Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó (Orchidaceae).
We assessed the local peoples’ perception on its population status, its availability,
factors causing its decline and management practices of this terrestrial orchids.
A pre-designed questionnaire was used to gather information targeting the age group
between 25 and 60 years (n = 75, 45 male and 30 female). Most of the informants
(76%) believe that the abundance of this orchid is declining. Over grazing of domestic
animals, over harvesting and lack of awareness among the local community were determined
to be the major causes of decline of D. hatagirea in the study area. Protection
measures as prescribed by the informants were control grazing, raising awareness
among the individuals and sustainable harvestings for the long-term conservation
of the species. Systematic management plans that incorporate the participation of
local individuals and prioritization of their views will be applicable for the proper
conservation of the species.