Districts Of Nepal Research Articles

Ethnobotanical study of plant resources in Dhurkot rural municipality, Gulmi district Nepal

Background. Despite easy access to modern medicines, people are still using plant-based medicine for their primary healthcare needs. People, particularly in the rural area are more dependent on herbal medicines. This study aims to explore the essential plants used in medicine locally and their uses on different ailments and diseases in Dhurkot Rural Municipality of Gulmi district, a western district of Nepal. Methodology. The study includes several visits to different community forests, interviews, and discussions with people at different time intervals from February to October 2021. Data were collected through Focus group discussion, transect walk, direct observation, and key informant interviews. Local indigenous healers, popularly known as "dhami", "pujari", "guru" and elderly people who know the uses of medicinal and aromatic plants helped us in collecting information about the utilization of plants as medicines. Results. Altogether 67 plant species belonging to 39 families and 64 genera were used by the people for their primary healthcare needs to treat different health problems. We found that the leaves are the most used parts of the plant followed by barks. During preference ranking among 484 individuals and focus group discussion people showed a preference for Cinnamomum tamala (Lauraceae) followed by Phyllanthus emblica (Phyllanthaceae), Zanthoxylam armatum (Rutaceae). Herbs are dominant among the plant forms used followed by trees, shrubs, and climbers. Conclusion. We conclude that people in this area still depend on plant-based medicine for their primary health care needs. Many people seek traditional remedies when they suffer from various common health problems. Besides this, abundance of medicinal plants in the region are declining due to various anthropogenic factors, infrastructure development, and climate change. Thus, appropriate conservation and management approaches along with proper identification and cultivation of important medicinal and aromatic plants are urgently required in the study area. Keywords: Ethnobotany, indigenous healers, focus group discussion, traditional medicines.

Secondary Level Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Nepal: A Case of three Districts

This study investigated the job satisfaction level of the secondary level teachers of Tanahun, Kaski and Chitwan districts in Nepal. Basing on the survey design of quantitative research, method, data were collected from 292 respondents through structured questionnaires. Five-point Likert-scale technique was used for collecting data. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the data. This study found that the majority of respondents were satisfied with the job nature, pay and fringe benefits, members’ cooperation to work, and the working environment of a school and in the teaching profession. However, they were not satisfied with the mechanism of school supervision and promotion process and procedures, independent F-test and t-test are satisfied with a 95% confidence level. There is no meaningful difference (P-value is less than 0.05) between teaching experience, gender, and job satisfaction level. The policy makers should consider the view of employee about their job perception at the time of making rules and regulation related to the employee, the government should make clear rules and regulation related to promotion process.

Regional variation in knowledge and practice regarding common zoonoses among livestock farmers of selective districts in Nepal.

The majority of Nepalese people are involved in farming. However, due to limited knowledge of zoonoses and poor preventive practices on the part of livestock farmers, vulnerabilities to zoonotic diseases are very high. The main objective of this study was to assess the regional variation in zoonoses-related knowledge and preventive practices of livestock farmers in different ecological regions of Nepal. Descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research design was followed in the study. The total sample size was 380 livestock farmers from randomly selected three ecological regions of Nepal. Systematic sampling techniques were applied for data collection. Data were entered into an excel sheet and then imported into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The data were calculated using descriptive statistics. Univariate, and bivariate analyses were performed, and the result of the study was presented in the form of text and tables based on their nature. Of the studied six zoonotic diseases, most of the respondents (95.8%) knew about zoonotic bird flu; 90.7% of them, were about rabies; and 54.2% knew about swine flu. However, a few respondents knew about bovine tuberculosis, neurocysticercosis, and brucellosis. Ecologically, the highest number of respondents in Nawalpur had knowledge of rabies (95.3%), and swine flu (61.6%), whereas 98.3% of them had knowledge of avian influenza in Tanahun; and 12.5% of neurocysticercosis in Manang. Regarding zoonoses preventive practices such as regular hand washing with soap water, mask-wearing, gloves, boots, the respondents' representation of 60.8%, 6.6%, 1.8%, and 1.3% respectively in such practices show that although these are easy and cost-effective, personal protective equipment (PPE), such preventive practices were extremely underperformed. Not only that, only 12% of respondents maintain a standard distance (>15m.) between their house and shed. Similarly, 17% still consumed meat from sick animals, and vaccination of livestock was also found poor coverage (36%) in the study. Livestock farmers need to be more knowledgeable about many common zoonotic diseases, and their preventive practices still need improvement, with significant regional variation in the study. This has invited various zoonosis threats for them. Therefore, it is recommended that the interventional programs related to common zoonoses be conducted for livestock farmers to solve the problem.

Dietary practices, physical activity and social determinants of non-communicable diseases in Nepal: A systemic analysis.

Unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity are major risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. The objective of this paper was to describe the role of dietary practices and physical activity in the interaction of the social determinants of NCDs in Nepal, a developing economy. The study was a qualitative study design involving two districts in Nepal, whereby data was collected via key informant interviews (n = 63) and focus group discussions (n = 12). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was performed, and a causal loop diagram was built to illustrate the dynamic interactions of the social determinants of NCDs based on the themes. The study also involved sense-making sessions with policy level and local stakeholders. Four key interacting themes emerged from the study describing current dietary and physical activity practices, influence of junk food, role of health system and socio-economic factors as root causes. While the current dietary and physical activity-related practices within communities were unhealthy, the broader determinants such as socio-economic circumstances and gender further fuelled such practices. The health system has potential to play a more effective role in the prevention of the behavioural and social determinants of NCDs.

Can traders' meetings boost seed sales of new rice varieties and promote a market-driven seed system? Evidence from Nepal

PurposeFarmers in developing countries are used to recycling and purchasing seeds of old and low-yielding varieties, leading to low seed and varietal replacement rates. Seed companies in Nepal have started to conduct traders' meetings (TMs) to promote new rice varieties. This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of this approach in promoting new rice varieties.Design/methodology/approachThe authors assess the effectiveness of TMs by surveying 238 agrodealers from 7 districts of Nepal. The authors used the binary logit model to study the determinants of participation in TM and an instrumental variable approach to estimate the impact of TMs on sales of the promoted rice varieties.FindingsResults indicate that the TM significantly influences traders' knowledge and increases the probability of selling new rice varieties promoted. However, TMs did not significantly increase the overall sales of promoted rice varieties.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on cross-section data; thus, unobserved fixed effects could not be accounted for. The study finds only one relevant and valid instrumental variable and therefore could not conduct any exogeneity test.Originality/valueSeed companies in Nepal started to conduct TMs to promote new rice varieties since 2019. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the usefulness of TMs and the impact of these events in changing traders' attitudes toward domestic rice seed varieties or in business performance (annual sales of the promoted varieties) have not been assessed. Therefore, the study findings will help to promote the market-driven seed system and increase the seed replacement rate.

Implications from the health belief model concerning zoonoses‐related threat perceptions held by livestock farmers in Nepal

AbstractDiseases that can be spread from animals to humans (zoonoses) are neglected health issues in Nepal. Due to professional exposure, livestock farmers are highly vulnerable to zoonoses. However, since there are limited studies, we have virtually no actual evidence on perception and practices toward prevention and response to zoonoses by livestock farmers in Nepal. This study examines the association between zoonoses preventive practices and the threat perceptions held by livestock farmers in Nepal based upon applications of health belief model (HBM) constructs. A descriptive cross‐sectional quantitative interview‐based survey was conducted with 380 livestock farmers randomly selected from three districts in Nepal. Results show that livestock farmers held primarily strong beliefs about zoonoses based on key constructs from the Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers with 91.5%, 93.7%, 91.1%, and 41.0%, respectively). However, they described low levels of participation in zoonoses preventive practices, such as handwashing with soap and water (52%–59%), following prescribed sick animal consumption practices (6.6%–17.7%), raw meat consumption practices (1.6%–6.3%), engaging in vaccination practices for livestock (33.9%–38.2%), and maintaining distance between home and shed (2.1%–13%). Based upon these findings, we strongly recommend enacting strategies to minimize the gaps between zoonoses preventive practices and perceptions through targeted communication interventions that include optimal educational sessions to reinforce applications from the constructs of HBM in farming communities.

Influence of gender and oral health knowledge on DMFT index: a cross sectional study among school children in Kaski District, Nepal

BackgroundOral health problems are highly prevalent among school children in Nepal. Poor oral health condition may be influenced by various factors. However, little is known about the sociodemographic and awareness related factors on oral health problems among school children in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association of gender and knowledge on DMFT index among school children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among school children of Grade Seven in 12 schools of Kaski district in Nepal. Schools were randomly selected from the urban and semi-urban areas in the district. Data were collected covering oral health knowledge, socio-demographic characteristics, oral health condition and practices. The factors of poor oral health condition and practices were examined using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.ResultsOf the total participants (n = 669), 54.9% were females and their mean DMFT score was 1.82 (SD = 1.07). Total decayed score was higher among those who did not have knowledge that fluoride prevents decay compared to those who had knowledge about it (Being aware of fluoride prevents decay: Mean = 1.21 (SD = 1.54) versus not being aware of that: mean = 2.13 (SD = 2.13); p = 0.029). Females were more likely to have higher DMFT scores compared to males (β-coefficient = 0.43, 95% CI 0.13, 0.73, p = 0.005). In addition, higher knowledge score was negatively associated with higher DMFT score (β-coefficient = − 0.09, 95% CI − 0.20, -0.01, p = 0.047).ConclusionBeing female students and those having lower level of knowledge on oral health attributed to higher DMFT index. Periodic dental check-up coupled with oral health education on regular brushing, use of fluoridated paste, tongue cleaning and care of gum diseases are recommended in schools.

Impact Of Climate Change In Agricultural Production: A Case Of Koshi River Basin, Nepal

The climatic factor has played dominant role on affecting agricultural production in the region. This study focused on analyzing the impact of Climate change in agricultural production in two districts of Nepal. Sunsari district had experienced the highest annual temperature increased (0.0038°C/yr) during 1990 and 2022, whereas the Saptari district had faced sharp decline in rainfall (11.442 mm/yr). Climate change resulted into climate induced disasters such as recurring drought, catastrophic flooding, mass wasting and emergence of pests. The climate data during 1990 and 2022, was used to find climate trend analysis. The inter-annual climatic patterns across time were examined using the trend analysis test and trend line slope. The HH survey concluded with increased in temperature and crop diseases emergence along with increase in the frequency of pests, drought and floods, and decreased in rainfall as perceived by majority of respondents. These parameters were expected to cause negative effect on crop output, human health, animals and vegetation. An increasing tendency in temperature and declining trend in precipitation were the two main climatic trends that were observed in the study area. Climate trends in Barahakshetra of Sunsari district of the KRB showed an increasing rate of precipitation of 7.8021 mm/year. The linear trend analysis of pre-monsoon time showed the precipitation was increasing at the rate of 3.4424 mm/year. The trend of post-monsoon rainfall increased significantly at the rate of 1.7956 mm/year. The Climatic trends as indicated by Barmajhiya Station in the Saptari district of the KRB showed decreasing rate of annual precipitation with 11.442 mm/year. In Saptari district, the annual production of paddy has been observed in decreasing trend of 1092.9 Mt. per year, with the increasing trend of cultivation area with 673.55 ha per year. The decreasing trend of cultivation area was observed with 17.918 ha per year. The HHs survey ascertained that, the majority of respondents perceived the increased temperature and drought with heavy rainfall and flood in the locality. The springs and ponds were at stake resulting into water scarcity with low discharge in rivers.

Nutritional status and its associated factors among under five years Muslim children of Kapilvastu district, Nepal.

Malnutrition is a major public health problem throughout the world especially in Southeast Asia. This study aims to find out nutritional status and its associated factors among under five Muslim children of Kapilvastu district Nepal. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 under five Muslim children in Kapilvastu district Nepal from December 2021 to May 2022. Multistage probability random sampling was used. Among ten local units, three were selected randomly. Then from selected three units, two wards from each unit which covers large proportion of Muslim were selected purposively. After selecting wards, listing of household having children 6 to 59 months was done with the help of Female Community Health Volunteers and 56 children were selected by simple random sampling from each wards. About half of Muslim children were underweight, 0.9% were overweight, 17.3% were wasted and 63.1% were stunted. Children with >4 members in family (AOR = 2.82, CI: 1.25-6.38), joint/extended family (AOR = 0.33, CI: 0.16-0.68), living with other than parents (AOR = 2.68, CI: 1.38-5.21), mother having primary (AOR = 2.59, CI: 1.09-6.10) and fathers having SLC and above education (AOR = 0.41, CI: 0.19-0.89), school going children (AOR = 0.27, CI: 0.15-0.48), no having agricultural land (AOR = 2.68, CI: 1.55-4.65), history of chronic diseases (AOR = 3.01, CI = 1.06-8.54) were significantly associated with underweight. Mothers having secondary (AOR = 0.30, CI: 0.10-0.88) and fathers having primary education (AOR = 3.50, CI: 1.26-9.74), school going children (AOR = 0.16, CI: 0.06-0.41), no having own land (AOR = 4.73, CI: 2.13-10.48), history of child chronic disease (AOR = 3.55, CI = 1.38-9.12) were significantly associated with wasting. Similarly, male children (AOR = 1.70, CI: 1.01-2.85), living in rural area (AOR = 0.17, CI: 0.09-0.31), joint/extended family (AOR = 0.28, CI: 0.13-0.64), living with other than parents (AOR = 3.71, CI: 1.84-7.49), fathers having secondary education (AOR = 0.50, CI: 0.27-0.94) and no having own land (AOR = 1.95, CI: 1.13-3.37) were significantly associated with stunting. Underweight, wasting and stunting in under-five Muslim children were above the cutoff point from the significant level of public health and higher than national data. Hence, this study suggests collaborative and immediate attention from responsible governmental and non-governmental organizations working in nutrition for providing informal learning opportunity, intervention regarding parental support to child, school enrolment at appropriate age, prevention and treatment of children's chronic diseases, intervention for income generating activities and addressing problems of household food insecurity among Muslim communities.

FISH FARMING PRACTICES AND DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN THE FISH FARMS OF DHANUSHA DISTRICT, NEPAL

Dhanusha is one of the leading fish producing districts in Nepal and the fish farming is increasing in the district to establish the district as a ‘Fisheries center’. However, with the increasing fish farming and intensity, a number of diseases find their way to the farm which may hinder the progress of fish farming. Present study was carried out to assess the fish farming practices and the disease occurrence across the fish farms of Dhanusha district. Questionnaire-based personal interviews were conducted with 64-fish farmers selected from all over the district using simple random sampling. Majority of the respondents were males (89.1%), in the active age group of 30-50 years (71.9%), with average experience of more than 15 years (39%) in fish farming. The widely adopted farming system was Carp polyculture, however, some of the farmers also culture other species like Pangas, African catfish, Rupchand, Puntius etc. Only earthen ponds were common with water depths of 5-7 ft (54.7%). Majority of the respondents relied on private hatcheries (34.4%) for fish seeds and the most common stocking size was fingerlings (42.2%) and fry (29.7%). The major source of information and technical support for the farmers were successful farmers (82.8%) and government offices (73.4%). Approximately 65.6% of the farmers had received trainings on fish production and disease management. The most common feed materials were mustard oil cake (100%); rice bran (96.9%) and commercial pellet feed (54.7%). Cattle dung (87.5%); poultry manure (28.1%) and Urea/DAP (95.3%) were the major fertilizers used by the farmers. The most prevalent fish disease was Argulosis (96.9%), Lernaea (90.6%) and EUS (85.9%), but asphyxiation (82.8%) caused the reportedly highest mortality of 346.1±305.5 Kg/ha. Similarly, the most susceptible species to disease was Naini (65.6%) followed by silver carp (49.0%) and bighead carp (34.0%), while the least infected species was Grass carp (0.8%). Winter (70.3%) was reported to be the main season for the occurrence of fish diseases in Dhanusha district. The average B/C ratio in pond aquaculture in the study area was 1.36.

A RESEARCHER'S JOURNEY: AN EXPERIENCE OF A RESEARCHER IN MASTERS OF PHILOSOPHY IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

This paper focuses on my study of a narrative research inquiry and interpretative paradigm under a qualitative research approach of in-service secondary level mathematics teachers in Kavrepalanchok district in Nepal. This article reveals my perspective as a researcher by articulating my research agenda during an academic journey in my degree of Master of Philosophy in Mathematics Education at Nepal Open University. My research was entitled " Assessment in Secondary Level Mathematics: A Narrative Inquiry" and submitted to NOU to acquire the degree. This paper explores my study, explaining about learning of mathematics and assessment experience in various academic environments from secondary level to university education as a mathematics student, teacher, and teacher educator. Similarly, I proceed by describing the source of my motivation for my study, as well as how I became interested in pursuing assessment-related research in mathematics. Furthermore, in the paper, I explain the context of my study, the rationale for the study, the purposes of the study, and the research questions. Moreover, in this article, I explore discussions on my research journey, research agenda, and formulation of questions, theoretical referents, and methodological map of the research. Finally, I will complete the journey with discussion and conclusion of my study.

COVID-19 vaccination up-take in three districts of Nepal

ABSTRACT Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an issue in terms of global efforts to decrease transmission rates. Despite high demand for the vaccines in Nepal, the country still contends with challenges related to vaccine accessibility, equitable vaccine distribution, and vaccine hesitancy. Study objectives were to identify: 1) up-take and intention for use of COVID-19 vaccines, 2) factors associated with vaccine up-take, and 3) trusted communication strategies about COVID-19 and the vaccines. A quantitative survey was implemented in August and September 2021 through an initiative at the Nepali Ministry of Health and Population Department of Health Services, Family Welfare Division. Data were collected from 865 respondents in three provinces (Bagmati, Lumbini, and Province 1). Ordinal multivariate logistic regression was utilized to determine relationships between vaccination status and associated factors. Overall, 62% (537) respondents were fully vaccinated and 18% (159) were partially vaccinated. Those respondents with higher education (p < .001) and higher household income (p < .001) were more likely vaccinated. There were also significant differences in vaccine up-take across the three provinces (p < .001). Respondents who were vaccinated were significantly more likely to perceive vaccines as efficacious in terms of preventing COVID-19 (p = .004) and preventing serious outcomes (p = .010). Among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, there was a high level of trust in information about COVID-19 vaccines provided through local health-care workers [e.g. nurses and physicians]. These results are consistent with other findings within the South Asia region. Targeted advocacy and outreach efforts are needed to support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaigns throughout Nepal.

Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services and Home or Hospital Delivery of Child Birth Among Women of Deupurkot VDC of Parbat District in Nepal

Background Nepal has made significant improvement in meeting the maternal and child health care services also progress newborn, infant and under mortality over the past two decades. The stark disparities on utilization of health services due to women with lower education, low wealth quintile household, disadvantage cast/ethnic groups and women in remote areas. The utilization of available maternal health care services from public and private service is remarkable to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Methods The community base descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in 509 households through door to door home visit in Deupurkot VDC covering all first to nine wards. The information was obtained using pretested questionnaire of Pokhara University by Bachelor level students of Public Health. The data was entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed. The data was collected from 19th November to 18th December 2014. Results The nuclear family size was (74.3%). Majority (80%) of the household have their pakka house, (95.7%) household used sanitary latrine and (86.7%) household heads were literate. The major occupation was agriculture (52.55%). The age of marriage before 18 yrs was (25.30%). Majority of women (81%) women used Injection Depo-Provera and less used device was Norplant/Implant user was (3.7%) World Health Organization (WHO) recommended almost (41%) had antenatal care (ANC) visit. Majority (96.70%) had gone for ANC visit and (67%) of them give birth their children at health institution. More than half (51.60%) women had knowledge of postnatal care (PNC) but (32.60%) used this service either in Health post, primary health care center (PHCC) or Hospital. Conclusion The antenatal care (ANC) visit were high in conclusion is high even up to WHO recommendation mark. There is a gap between knowledge of postnatal care (PNC) and its utilization, we need to improve this NPC visit gap utilizing available health services.

Causes of Female Labor Migration in Nepal

This is related with female labor migration in Sindhupalchowk District in Nepal. Foreign labor migration is a global phenomenon that dates back to the time when payment in return for labor was first introduced. There is no country in the world where foreign labor migration has not occurred. However, economic globalization has speeded up the process way beyond its normal pace. Fast economic growth and slow economic development made people in poorer countries migrate for a better life. While previously only men used to migrate in search of employment, recently, women are leaving for foreign employment as well. Such migration for employment has added value to the national income of the country in the form of remittance. Most of the developing countries are thriving on remittance. Labor exportation has been an important solution for internal unemployment for developing countries. It is a major source of foreign exchange. Therefore, countries like the Philippines and Indonesia have integrated labor export as part of their development strategies. In case of Nepal, remittance helped sustain the economy throughout the conflict period and it continues to be so. Nepal has adopted an open policy towards foreign labor migration. Currently, there are 108 countries approved by the Nepal government for foreign labor migration. The paper was prepared on the basis of 40 households.

Subordination in Western Tamang

This article examines the clause combining in Western Tamang of Nuwakot district in Nepal. The significance of language as spoken in a particular community of Nepal reflects in the diversity as being accommodated in the national policy of language by the language commission of Nepal. Western Tamang is a major dialect of Tamang, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal. The main goal of this study has been to analyze the forms and functions of clause combining in Western Tamang. This article describes the process of clause combining from both formal and functional perspectives. The data for this study have been taken from the Western Tamang dialect spoken in Rasuwa and Trishuli based on functional-typological grammar of T. Givón (2001).However; simple clauses are discussed in terms of subordination and coordination to some extent. Subordination involves five kinds of clauses: serial verb construction, complement clauses, adverbial clauses, relative clauses and converbal clauses. In subordination, Western Tamang uses non-finite form of the verb as a major strategy for clause combining. In coordination, except for conjunction and adversative conjunction, it uses coordinators borrowed from Nepali. It uses simple juxtaposition, an asyndeton coordination for conjunction. Clause combining as a morpho-syntactic phenomenon in Western Tamang reveals typologically interesting characteristics which needs from a broad typological perspective. The morpho-syntactic analysis of clause combining in the Western Tamang would contribute to understanding new phenomenon in Western Tamang and other related languages. This study may provide the basic foundation for the further study of the morpho-syntactic aspects in dialect. It is useful to local community for preparing materials for multilingual education in the dialect as well. Despite differences perceived among the Tamang speaking people in terms of language variations, the basics in their language are similar. The beauty and property of language can be seen in diversity.

Witch Allegation in Nepal: A Case Study in Tamang Community of Kavrepalanchok District

Even in the 21st century, discrimination in Nepal due to witch allegations is seen as a social evil. The continued people’s movement has changed the political system but has not been able to change the attitude, faith, behavior, and social distortions of the Nepali people. As a result, people are involved in heinous and inhumane activities such as witch accusations. This study aims to explore this inhuman activity seen in the Tamang community which is one of the marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the Kavrepalanchok district in Nepal. The study of this phenomenon of witch accusations from the social point of view and perspective is another supportive objective of this study and to draw the attention of all key stakeholders to the significant scale, severity, complexity faced by Tamang women. Qualitative research with empirical &amp; social perspectives based on both primary and secondary data has been used. Generally, the poor, miserable, helpless, ugly-faced, single women, widows, Dalits, Janajati, untouchables, etc. are mostly suspected of being witch allegations without any justice and proof in our context. Once, they are accused, it is difficult for the victims to stay in society for the rest of their life. However, recent laws have identified it as a social evil and strictly banned discrimination and accused the people on the ground of the witch allegations but in practice, the incident is still increasing. Thus, witches are the byproduct of the beliefs of witchcraft and the practices of witch allegations. This study helped to draw the attention of the policymakers, planners, local-level governments, and the elite group of the society to review policies and practices to overcome the society combating such inhuman activities.

Training and its Impact on Employee Performance: A Study on Nepalese Local Level Government Offices' Employees

Training is an integral part of the human resource management function. The efficiency or performance of an employee can be enhanced by providing time-to-time training. The effort put from the side of an organization also brings the effectiveness of the training. Similarly, the number of trainings conducted and the content, as well as the duration of the training, has also the relation in impact on the performance of employees. The paper is also concerned with the impact of training on employees' performance among the local level government employees of Nepal. The paper has surveyed the 300 local level employees of three districts of Nepal, namely; Chitwan, Nawalpur, and Parasi. The study found that the local level governments' employees think that their performance is mainly influenced by off-the-job training and the effort done from the side of an organization while conducting a training program.

Synergy between Carbon and Biodiversity in Restored Forests: A case from leasehold forestry of Nepal

Studies on forest carbon stock have increased in Nepal, especially in community forests, as a result of worldwide recognition of the role of sustainable forest management in climate change mitigation. Leasehold forests, which contribute greatly to reviving degraded forests and livelihoods of pro-poor communities, however, have been sidelined from such studies. This study assessed the biomass carbon stock of leasehold forests and its relationship with tree diversity in the Nawalpur district in Nepal. The concentric sample plots with subplots were laid, measuring trees (8.92m radius), saplings (5.64m radius), and regeneration (1m radius), in eleven leasehold forests. Plant diversity was calculated using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) to assess forest conditions. The average carbon stock was found to be 11.40 t/ha, where the stock varied by nature of intervention. The average carbon stock in non-tree-based restoration sites was estimated to be 3.81 t/ha, which was significantly lower than in tree-based restoration sites (14.49 t/ha). A total of 37 species of trees were recorded from 45 sample plots distributed across eleven LFUGs. Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient between forest carbon stock and diversity index was 0.613, which shows a strong positive correlation and was significant at a 99% confidence interval. There was a synergy between biomass carbon stock and tree diversity because communities were protecting the existing tree species and planting multipurpose trees to meet their need for forest products. The study concludes that leasehold forestry contributes positively to the enhancement of carbon stock and tree diversity.

Land Suitability Assessment for Cereal Crops in Sainamaina Municipality Nepal

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Land suitability is the fitness of a given type of land for a defined use. The land may be considered in its present condition or after improvements. This paper aims to present the land suitability of the study area for major cereal crops. The present study is conducted in ward no. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Sainamaina municipality Rupandehi district Nepal. Soil samples were taken from 29 different pits from polygon generated by intersecting land system map and land capability map within agricultural land use map with the help of geographic information system. Collected soil samples were tested in soil the laboratory of central department of geography, Tribhuwan University. Land suitability for major cereal crops paddy, wheat, maize and millet were derived from FAO guideline for land evaluation. As a result, the land of study area is found more suitable for wheat followed by paddy maize and millet.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Status of springs in the mid-hills of Khotang district Nepal, (A case study from Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi and Halesi Tuwachung Municipality)

The study was conducted in Buipa (ward no.14) of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality and Durchim (ward no.5) of Halesi Tuwachung municipality in Khotang district, Nepal. A total of 45 springs were mapped. The study showed 62.2% of the springs to be open springs, and the rest were modified into concrete structures. Seventy-seven percent of the springs were found to be drying up. The study showed 20% of the springs had dried up already and 17.7% were on the verge of drying. Most of the springs found were depression springs. At Durchim of Halesi Tuwachung, 16 out of 18 springs had discharge rates less than 0.05 l/s. Twelve of these had dried already. Thirty-seven per cent of the springs were located farther than 1km, of which 6.67% were also in a drying condition and more than 51% were farther than 500m. People used springs on various occasions and local festivals. Forty per cent of springs were drying due to landslides and road construction. In the Koshi basin, 78% of annual rainfall occurred during the monsoon and only 2.8% during the dry period. Springs are fully monsoon-dependent and slight fluctuation in the rainfall patterns could greatly affect the discharge in the springs