Abstract
Logging and sawing of timber using conventional tools by unskilled workers causes enormous damage to the valuable timber, residual stand, regeneration, and forest soil in Nepal. The purpose of this study was to find out the volume reduction factor and identify major strategies to reduce timber losses in the tree harvesting process in the Terai Shorea robusta forest of Nepal. Field measurements and product flow analysis of 51 felled trees from felling coupes and randomly selected 167 sawed logs were examined to study harvesting losses. Responses from 116 forest experts were analyzed to explore strategies for reducing harvesting and processing losses. The results showed that timber losses in the felling and bucking stage with and without stem rot were 23% and 22%, respectively. Similarly, timber losses in the sawing stage with and without stem rot were 31% and 30%, respectively. Paired t-test at 5% level of significance revealed that there was significant loss in both tree felling and log sawing stages with present harvesting practice. The most leading factor contributing to timber loss in all of the three stages was the use of inappropriate equipment during tree harvesting. Use of synthetic ropes for directional felling and skidding as well as flexible and portable sawing machine with size adjustment options during sawing were mainly recommended as strategies to reduce timber losses. This study serves as a baseline study to identify and quantify timber losses in different stages of tree conversion and also formulate their reduction strategies in Nepal.
Highlights
Rapid enhancements in long-term forest production can be achieved only with welldevised harvesting operations and stand improvement treatments through sustainable forest management in tropical forests [1]
A high amount of timber loss occurs during timber extraction, including tree felling in forest, logs to final useable products conversion, and manufacture of final solid wood products [4]
Many studies concluded a wide range of timber loss during selective logging, i.e., one to five times the extracted timber, indicating a recovery rate starting from 20 percent [8]
Summary
Rapid enhancements in long-term forest production can be achieved only with welldevised harvesting operations and stand improvement treatments through sustainable forest management in tropical forests [1]. Unplanned forest tree harvesting results in higher amount of timber losses in tree felling [2] and in sawing phases [3]. A high amount of timber loss occurs during timber extraction, including tree felling in forest, logs to final useable products conversion, and manufacture of final solid wood products [4]. In the context of Nepal, conventional logging practices are being applied to harvest trees throughout the country [13]. Mechanized harvesting has not yet been practiced in the country [21] Processing those round logs with minimum loss is one of the most important tasks for timber producers. Different rates of timber recovery or losses between different studies in different countries vary due to quality of logs, different sawing equipment used, and the final aim of product size [24]. For Nepal, this study would serve as a baseline study that fills the knowledge gap on timber loss along the timber production chain and suggests corrective actions to adopt for its control
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