Nardostachys grandiflora DC. is the only species of this genus found in Nepal (HMG/Nepal 1976).  It belongs to family Valerianaceae. It is locally known as Jatamansi. It is an erect perennial herb growing 10-60cm long. It bears elongate spathulate (spoon like) radical leaves and few oblong or sub-ovate cauline leaves. The flowers are rosy, pale pink or blue, in dense cymes. The rhizome, which is an item of commerce, is long stout and woody. It has an agreeable odor with bitter aromatic taste. The rhizome is used as a substitute for valerian. The whole plant has a distinct and lingering smell.

Distribution and Habitat.

Jatamansi in Nature

It is commonly distributed in an elevation range of 3500m to 4500m in the northern aspect of the sub-alpine and alpine pastureland of the Himalayas in Nepal. Though found in eastern to western region of the country, Jatamansi is more abundant in the western regions. The plant is mostly found growing in steep areas with a 25 o- 45o slope. It grows well on open, stony and grassy slopes, and on the turf of glacial flats. It is also found growing under the Silver Birch forest, where its growth is good with large leaves and long rootstock.  This may be due to the abundance of rotten leaves (humus) and shade under the Birch forest.

The flowering takes place during June to July and fruiting in August-October.  In the beginning of October, all leaves turn yellow and become ready for pereniation. During the winter, the herb sheds all leaves, gets buried under the snow and remains dormant. With the melting of the snow in the beginning of summer, Jatamansi starts growing.

The main associated plant species of Jatamansi are Bukephool (Anaphalis spp), Dhupi (Juniperus indica), Kutki (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora), Panchaunle
(Dactylorhiza hatagirea), Padamchal (Rheum australe), and Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon).

Regeneration
Natural regeneration takes place by rhizome and seeds. Jatamansi is a wild plant but is occasionally cultivated in India and China (Shrestha and Joshi 1996). The plant can be cultivated from the cuttings of underground parts or rhizomes as well as from seeds. The plants coming from the cuttings of rhizome grow faster than that from the seeds. According to our study in Humla, this plant regenerates easily from the underground propagules when harvested in autumn. There is high risk of underground rhizome decay when harvested in summer.

Harvesting

A collector harvesting  Jatamansi

The appropriate time for harvesting Jatamansi is October through December. The early snowfall in some years disturbs the harvesting during the main harvesting season and makes the harvesting job difficult and sometimes impossible due to the thick layer of snow in the harvesting site. Because of this, it is sometimes harvested during May or June which is detrimental for its future growth. Jatamansi is generally collected by pulling out the rhizomes with or without the help of a Kuto (a small spade like handtool). The long rhizomes under shrubs and trees are handpicked. Rhizomes are gathered into a basket, or sac after removing leaves and roots. Collectors dry the raw Jatamansi partially at the collection point before transporting it to their home, processing unit, or to a selling point.

Sustainability Issues
The early snowfall in the autumn compels people to collect Jatamansi in May or June which affect the herb’s regeneration because the fruits mature only after October. Unscientific collection causes a decrease in the production of Jatamansi.

Rotational harvesting practice by the FUGs of Humla in the community managed forest has encouraged the sustainable management of Jatamansi to some extent. This practice should be adopted by FUGs in other parts of the country too.

Utilization
Jatamansi is harvested for local use as well as for the trade of its valuable roots/rhizomes. Traditional healers use the root for different purposes.  It is used as a stimulant, antiseptic, insect repellent and for the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive affections, stomachache, constipation and cholera. The rhizome is used as an aromatic adjunct in the preparation of medicinal oil. It is also believed to be useful for leprosy.  Mixed with sesame oil, it is rubbed on the head as a nerve sedative.  Its oil is also believed to promote growth and impart blackness to hair. The local people also use the rhizome for making incense by mixing it with the powder of Juniper and Sunpati.
 

A case example from Humla Jatamansi was overexploited from the natural forests because of cash needs and free access of the people to the resources.  The collectors used to collect Jatamansi before seed ripening without caring for future regeneration.  Deliberate fires set by the local people for their livestock to graze on the new sprouts was also common in the area.  However, the situation has improved in the management of the forest resources after ANSAB, EnterpriseWorks Worldwide, and HCDA implemented the Humla Ecosystem Management Project.  A number of FUGs have been formed since 1996 and control over the resources has been initiated from the local communities.  A community initiated management plan has been developed for the sustainable management of the natural resources. A rotational harvesting system is practiced by dividing the whole forest into a number of management units, usually adopting a rotational length of four to five years. Some FUGs have also adopted appropriate methods and timing of harvesting for Jatamansi and other NTFPs.

Commercialization

Weighing Jatamansi  (File Photo)	The rhizome of Jatamansi is used in the preparation of medicinal oils and in perfumery. The dried rhizomes are steam-distilled to yield between 1 - 2% of essential oil, commercially known as Spikenard oil. Spikenard oil of good quality has a greenish color and an odor suggestive of patchouli and Indian valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), which has a sweet, woody, and spicy animal odor.It can be used in perfumes with an oriental basis, heavy florals, animal amber types, etc.  It blends well with Cedarwood and Lavender.  The oil resinifies on exposure to air. Processing & Market. The volatile oil cells are generally located on the fine fibrous hairs of the rhizome.
The quality of essential oil is influenced by the maturity of the rhizomes at the time of harvest, form of preparation, and duration of storage. Rhizomes harvested from the 2-3 year old plants give higher yield than young plants. The rhizomes are graded, packed in distillation apparatus evenly with several layers to avoid chanellization of steam, and distilled with low pressure and relatively dry steam for 9 to 18 hours. The price of the spikenard oil ranges from Rs. 5,500 to Rs 7,800 per kg in local markets and US $150 to US $225 per kg overseas depending on the quality. The oil is exported to India, Europe, Japan and the USA. _______________________ 1 Mr. Subedi is Coordinator of ANSAB 2 Ms Shrestha is Network Support Officer of ANSAB

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1.  ANSAB in collaboration with NUKCFP and DFO, Parbat conducted a two day participatory and field-oriented training on "NTFP Management " in March 1999 in Parbat. The objective of the training was to provide the basic knowledge to the NTFPs stakeholders about the valuable NTFPs, their management and trade. The main participants of the training were forestry staff from Parbat, Baglung and Myagdi, FECOFUN district committee members, District Soil Conservation office staff, FUGs, NTFP collectors and entrepreneurs.

2.   A four-day-workshop cum training on
"Entrepreneurship Development on Natural Products" was conducted by ANSAB and NSCFP. The main objectives of the workshop were to bring all stakeholders/entrepreneurs of Dolakha together to share and disseminate knowledge and experiences and to identify effective strategies to overcome constraints and realize opportunities in community based enterprises. Entrepreneurs, district forest office staff, project staff, NTFPs traders, collectors, FECOFUN members, district cottage industry office staff, agriculture development bank staff and private nursery owners participated in the training.

3.  The Nepal NTFP Network Coordination Committee Meeting held on June 1999 reviewed network activities and discussed over membership strategies, and several other issues. As the government is revising the forestry regulations, the Network decided to provide recommendations for the revisions of forestry regulations to MFSC. Twelve main issues were identified and recommendations made for the economic benefit of the user groups and conservation of the resource base.

4.  A National Workshop on "Management and Sustainable Utilization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Nepal" was held on July 16, 1999. The workshop was jointly organized by Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC) and International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and facilitated by ANSAB. Sixty nine participants representing GOs, NGOs, private companies and donor agencies were involved in the workshop. Two theme papers: Key Issues and Problems faced by MAP Sector in Nepal (by Dr. Keshav Kanel of MFSC) and NTFP Sub-sector in Karnali, Nepal: Opportunities for Leveraged Intervention for the Benefits of Local Communities (by Bhishma Subedi of ANSAB) were presented.

The workshop participants made recommendations in three areas: policy and legislation, conservation and sustainable management, and trade and marketing. Inaugurating the workshop Honorable Minister of MFSC Mr. Mahant Thakur stressed the need for participatory management and sustainable use of MAPs. Addressing the same function the Minister and Secretary Rabi B. Bista assured that the workshop recommendations will be taken into full account by the Ministry.

5.  A three-day workshop on “Community Forestry and Forest Based Enterprise Development” was held in November 1997 at Humla Oil Pvt. Ltd. (HOPL) factory site in Rodikot, Humla. Fifty-six community members representing twenty-nine community forest user groups (FUG) in the district and representatives of various other organizations including DDC and DFO joined this workshop. The participants discussed on community enterprise management, sustainable harvesting and management of natural resources, and coordination of FUG activities in the district.

The workshop recommended that the ownership of HOPL be handed over to the FUGs in the district, Humla Conservation and Development Association (HCDA), and employees of the company. It also suggested different enterprise operation and management modules for the company. During the workshop, the participants, particularly community members, listed out the prospects and problems associated with the sustainable resource management and also presented solutions for the problems in the series of presentation. The workshop also evolved the district level network to strengthen community forestry activities for sharing experiences and ideas and coordinating the community forestry activities in the district.

6.  To enable the government organizations, professionals and experts to adopt appropriate strategies and plan of action which are essential for the proper utilization, conservation and marketing of NTFPs, a one-day workshop on  "The Utilization of NTFPs for Environmental Conservation and Economic Development" was organized by ANSAB in Kathmandu on March 29, 1997. A theme paper on Utilization of NTFPs: Issues and Strategies for Environmental Conservation and Economic Development was presented by Bhishma Subedi of ANSAB. Selected four papers from 18 ANSAB-supported studies on NTFPs were also presented. Altogether 65 people from various organizations participated in the workshop.

Himalayan Bioresources is open to contributions by the network members and readers. Contributions may be edited to fit into the focus and size of the newsletter. If you have any material that could be included in the next issues of Himalayan Bioresources, kindly send it, before December 31, 1999, to:

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