Turning conflicts into cooperation? The role of adaptive learning and deliberation in managing natural resources conflicts in Nepal

Conflicts over natural resources are likely to escalate under changing socio-economic contexts and climate change. This paper tests the effectiveness of what we term Adaptive Learning and Deliberation (ALD) in understanding and addressing conflicts over the local management of forests and water, drawing on the experimental works in Nepal. Based on a three-year action research, the paper offers policy and practical insights on how complex and protracted conflicts can be addressed through researcher-facilitated inquiry and deliberative process which forms the core of ALD approach. The conflicts included in the study are not solely triggered by climate change but are a result of diverse environmental changes, diverse policy responses to local issues of resource governance, and wider political and economic factors. We analyze experimental practices of ALD implemented in two sites, where our research team facilitated the ALD process, gathering evidence in relation to conflicting institutional issues, all of which was then fed into researcher-mediated and evidence informed deliberations on conflict management. The analysis shows that the ALD process was helpful in rearranging local institutions to accommodate the interests of the conflicting groups and, to some extent, challenge some of the underlying exclusionary provisions of forest and water institutions which have deep social roots in the Nepalese society. We also identify three key limitations of this approach – transaction costs, the need for strong research and facilitative capacity within the research team, and the acceptance of researchers' involvement among the conflicting stakeholders. Finally, we discuss some policy implications of the findings, including potential implications for building climate resilience

Let us conserve and exchange seeds: celebrating traditional crop diversity of the Nepali lowlands

A seed fair is an activity to create awareness about and appreciate local crop diversity, exchange seed and related knowledge, and celebrate farmers’ efforts to conserve agrobiodiversity. It takes considerable time and effort to organize a seed fair. This brief describes the seed fair organized at the Agyauli Community Seedbank, Nawalparasi in the southern region of Nepal. About 30 members of 10 community seedbanks from the terai (the southern lowland) region of Nepal came together for this. Apart from exchanging seeds of traditional crop varieties, they also shared stories about the socio-cultural, religious, spiritual, nutritional and medicinal values of their varieties. The recent formal registration of the Community Seed Banks Association of Nepal (CSBAN) was also celebrated

Herbage Mass and Chemical Composition of the Heterogeneous Grasslands Affected by Harvesting TIME in Subtropical Terrain Nepal

A study was carried out to evaluate the productivity and chemical composition of heterogeneous grasslands at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) livestock farm. The four grassland ecotypes were chosen as upland north, upland south, lowland south and lowland north. The dominating herbage species and cover abundance by the botanical groups were studied on day before the harvesting. Later, the herbage dry matter productivity was estimated by quadrat cutting during May and June, 2017. Chemical analysis was done by using the proximate method for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and ether extract (EE) content. Research results showed that the AFU grassland dominated by perennial grasses and sedges followed by the forbs. The mean coverage of grasses and sedges was about 55%, whilst that of forbs was about 29% and the least was for legumes (about 4%). The cumulative herbage mass was about 1.53 t/ ha on the DM basis, whilst the highest DM was found in the upland-south (1.74 t/ha) and the least was in the upland-north (1.334 t/ha). The proximate analysis further revealed that the site had no effect on CF content, whilst the CP was significant only at the second harvest for the lowland north (8.34%).  Data revealed that the herbage composition might depend upon the soil moisture availability and geographical aspect. The dominance of perennial grasses at AFU grasslands revealed the yield stability, but needs the improvement through inoculation with leguminous forages for improved feed quality

SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY AMONG INJECTABLE DRUG USERS IN KATHMANDU VALLEY

On the background of ever increasing HIV transmission in our community through various routes, the psychosocial factors related with intravenous drug abuse has become necessary to be studied. Aim of the study was to assess the Socio-psychological factors that influence people to use drugs, especially to use Injectable drugs. We enrolled a sample of 393 Intravenous drug users, all male, in the Kathmandu Valley. Participants were administered a semi structured proforma to assess the psychosocial issues related with the drug intravenous drug abuse. Mean age of the sample was 27.76+ 4.86 years. Majority were single, unemployed, Hindu and by caste Newars, with education more than high school (SLC or more). The first psychoactive substance use by most of them was cannabis. The most frequently used psychoactive substance was injection Buprenorphine (Tidigesic), which was followed by mixture of various substances (opiates, benzodiazepines, antihistamines) and Diacetyl morphine (Brown sugar). Factors associated with the start of the drugs were for enjoyment, friend’s pressure and to alleviate mental tension. Many accepted Injectable drug use contributing to problems in mental, marital, social, economic and legal aspects of their life. Despite knowing the harms caused by the drugs majority persist on its use. A needle exchange programme has been viewed positively by many. Key words: buprenorphin, needle sharing, needle replacement, HIV transmission

Fungal multisinusitis with intracranial extension

Aspergillosis is the commonest fungal infection of nose and paranasal sinuses. Its invasive form is rare in a healthy patient. A case of fungal multisinusitis with intracranial extension with characteristic computerized tomographic finding is reported. Key Words: Aspergillosis, intracranial extension, CT scan, external frontoethmoidectomy

Multiphoton quantum metrology without pre- And post-selected measurements

We demonstrate the first protocol for quantum-enhanced phase estimation without pre- and post-selected measurements. Our experiment, with an overall efficiency of 82%, utilizes two-mode squeezed vacuum states and photon-number-resolving detection to surpass the standard quantum limit

Multiphoton quantum metrology without pre- And post-selected measurements

We demonstrate the first protocol for quantum-enhanced phase estimation without pre- and post-selected measurements. Our experiment, with an overall efficiency of 82%, utilizes two-mode squeezed vacuum states and photon-number-resolving detection to surpass the standard quantum limit