1. R. B. S. RAWAT Regional Programme Coordinator Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Programme in Asia (MAPPA) ICIMOD, Kathmandu 2007 IUFRO All Division 5 Conference 29 th October- 2nd November, 2007 TAIPEI

2. MAPs FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION & POVERTY REDUCTION: CASE STUDIES FROM S. ASIA PREPONDERANCE OF POVERTY IN S. ASIA. PRESENCE OF 3 HOT SPOTS WITH RICH NTFP/MAP RESOURCES. BIO DIVERSITY HAS POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL,SOCI AL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.

3. MAPPA APPROACH COMMUNITY BASED CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT. ORGANIC PRODUCTION OF HIGH DEMAND MAPs. VALUE ADDITION AND MARKETING THROUGH LINKAGES. GENDER BALANCED EQUITABLE SHARING OF BENEFITS. FACILITATE POLICY INNOVATIONS. NETWORKING AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS IN ALL RMCs.

4. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ON CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT. TRAINING OF TRAINERS/FACILITATORS. TRAINING MANUALS ON ORGANIC PRODUCTION IN INDIA, NEPAL AND SRI-LANKA. EQUITABLE COMMERCIALISATION THROUGH BUY BACK SYSTEM IN INDIA, COMMUNITY OWNED/ MANAGED MICRO ENTERPRISES IN NEPAL. PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE IN BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, NEPAL AND PAKISTAN. PROMOTING TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN THE REGION.

5. CONCLUSION ICIMOD’S REGIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SCANNING THE GLOBAL RESEARCH FINDINGS: “WITH CBNRM APPROACH CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NTFPs HOLD A GREAT PROMISE IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN POVERTY STRICKEN BUT BIODIVERSITY RICH AREAS IN S. ASIA”.

6. Thank you Email: rrawat@icimod.org Website: mappa.icimod.org