Sustainable Harvest of Wild Lemon Grass and its
Sustainable Harvest of Wild Lemon Grass and its Distillation in Eastern Bhutan Rixzin Wangchuk, 02. 10. 2020 M. Sc. European Forestry UEF// University of Eastern Finland
Introduction § Is distilled from Cymbopogon flexuosus UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk
§ Contributes to 29% of a households average income in Mongar and Trashiyangtse § Lemon grass oil annual harvested quantities are decreasing Yearly income from different sources Agriculture 21% 29% 38% 12% Seasonal Misc. Work Lemon Grass Distillation Dairy Farming UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 3
Is the harvest of wild lemon grass and its distillation in Eastern Bhutan a sustainable venture? ? UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 4
Study Area § Districts of Eastern Bhutan: Mongar and Trashigang UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 5
Methodology § Literature reviews § Formal and non-formal interviews § Spatial analysis of LG growing areas over the last 10 years UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 6
Results Decrease in Harvest Quantities of Lemon Grass Oil Annually Lemon Grass export quantities 3000 Number of LG Distillers 60 2500 50 2000 40 1500 30 1000 20 500 10 0 0 2005 2010 2015 2020 UEF// University of Eastern Finland 2000 2005 2010 2015 Rixzin Wangchuk 2020 11. 12. 202 1 7
Significant loss of Lemon grass collection areas in State Reserved Forest Land Mongar UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 8
Trashigang UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 9
Major contributors: § Developmental activities; roads, new settlements. § Invasive species; Cymbopgon citratus, weeds UEF// University of Eastern Finland Total Harvesting Area in Hectares Mongar 2010 2015 2020 82700 77259 68940 113040 98000 Trashigang 129330 Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 10
UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 11
Knowledge of Sustainable Harvesting Techniques § Over 67% of distillers were unaware of sustainable harvesting practices. § 11% use fires to ‘refresh’ LG growing areas. Know about sustainable harvesting techniques and follow 11% 22% Do not know about sustainable harvesting techniques 67% § Community Forests were not enough for sourcing these raw materials. UEF// University of Eastern Finland Know about sustainable harvesting techniques and do not follow Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 12
§ Most distillers use outdated distillation units § Modern distillation units were only used by a select few distillers. UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 13
Discussion § Looking at the trends the resources will deplete soon. § Plantations need to be carried out in SRF land. § More Community Forests and Rural Community based groups need to be formed. § Capacity building – Both Do. FPS as well as Bio Bhutan § Value addition can help distillers earn better returns. UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 14
UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 15
Conclusion § The reliance on wild lemon grass is unsustainable in its current state. § It requires immediate interventions in order stop the resources from depleting. § Value addition can benefit rural distillers to earn better returns. UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk
References § FRMD (2008). Guidelines for Resource assessment and management of Lemon Grass. Forest Resource Management Division. Department of Forest and Park Services. Thimphu, Bhutan § Bio. Bhutan, 2019, Distillation unit. Accessed 30. 09. 2020. https: //www. facebook. com/biobhutan/photos/pcb. 2361183107250451/23611827 53917153/ § Bio. Bhutan, 2019, Lemon grass soap. Accessed 30. 09. 2020. https: //www. facebook. com/biobhutan/photos/a. 423571547678293/22400461126 97485/ § Bio. Bhutan, 2019, Lady carrying Lemon grass. Accessed 30. 09. 2020. https: //www. facebook. com/biobhutan/photos/pcb. 2708083979227027/27080806 79227357/ UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 17
Thank you uef. fi rwangchu@uef. fi UEF// University of Eastern Finland Rixzin Wangchuk 11. 12. 202 1 18
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