Randomized controlled trial comparing outcome of hybrid Ilizarov versus distal tibial metaphyseal locking plate (P) for treatment of distal tibial fractures in adults

Background: Distal tibia fractures include extra-articular fractures of the metaphysis and the more severe intra-articular tibial plafond or pilon fractures.Several treatment methods have been recommended for the treatment of these injuries, with a recent emphasis on minimally invasive techniques and Ilizarov technique also. Several studies regarding distal tibial fracture treatment are available. Few of them are only randomized controlled trial. So, we conducted this research comparing distal tibial plating (P) versus hybrid Ilizarov (HI) for treatment of distal tibial fractures.Methods: The randomized controlled trial was conducted in B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Nepal, over a period of fifteen months from June 2015 to August 2016. Patient in group A underwent HI fixation, and group B underwent P.Results: Gender ratio for male: female was 2.63 in HI, 1.35 in P group. Mean age was 47.03±15.93 and 42.1±12.788 for HI and P respectively. Most fractures in both group belonged to AO A3 type. Most surgeries were done at interval of 1 day to 1 week. Mean hospital stay was 6.43±4.545 and 4.93±4.676 for HI and P respectively. Mean Lower extremity functional score (LEFS) was 66.55 in HI and 67.15 in P group. Mean Percentage of maximal function (LEFS/80 *100) was 83.56. Three cases among 40 cases in P had infection but no infection in HI group was seen at the end of 12th week follow up.Conclusions: Our study showed that there is no significant difference in terms of LEFS criteria, union, fracture alignment, ROM (knee, ankle), infection and other outcome measures between HI fixation and P in the treatment of distal tibia fracture in adults

Participatory Ranking of Fodders in the Western Hills of Nepal

Fodder is an important source of feed of the ruminants in Nepal. In the mid hills of Nepal, farmers generally practice integrated farming system that combines crop cultivation with livestock husbandry and agroforestry. Tree fodders are good sources of protein during the forage and green grass scarcity periods especially in dry season. Local communities possess indigenous knowledge for the selection of grasses and tree fodders at different seasons in mid hills of western Nepal. A study was conducted on the perception of farmers with respect to selection of fodder species in eight clusters in Kaski and Lumjung districts that range 900-2000 meter above sea level and receive average precipitation of 2000- 4500mm per annum. During the fodder preference ranking, farmers prepared the inventory of fodders found around the villages and nearby forests and selected top ten most important fodders in terms of their availability, palatability, fodder yield, milk yield and milk fat yield. In total, 23 top ranking fodders species were selected from the eight clusters. These fodder species were also ranked using pairwise ranking and weighted scoring methods and ranking was done on the basis of merit numbers obtained from weighted scores. The analysis revealed Artocarpus lakoocha as best tree fodder followed by Ficus semicordata, Thysanolena maxima and Ficus calvata. Similarly, the calendar of fodders trees for lopping season and the best feeding time was prepared on the basis of farmers\u27 local knowledge. This study suggests strategies for promotion of locally preferred tree fodder species and supplementing tree fodder with feed in different seasons depending on their availability and local preferences

Agro-morphological Diversity of High Altitude Bean Landraces in the Kailash Sacred Landscape of Nepal

Many varieties of bean are widely grown across diverse agro-ecological zones in Nepal. And opportunities exist for improving the crops and enhancing their resilience to various biotic and abiotic stressors. In this context, an experiment was conducted from June to October 2016 in Khar VDC of Darchula district to study the phenotypic traits of nine landraces of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The bean landraces were planted using randomized complete block design in three sites (Dhamidera, Dallekh and Sundamunda villages), with three replications in each site for their comparative analysis. The study considered the following phenotypic traits: days to emergence, days to 50% flowering, days to 90% pod maturity, number of nodes, pod length, pod width, number of pods, number of seeds per pod and weight and grain yield for 100 seeds. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences in the landraces both within and among locations. KA-17-08-FB and KA-17-04-FB were late  flowering (63 and 65 days respectively) compared to other landraces whereas KA-17-07-FB flowered earliest (within 42 days). In all three sites, three landraces namely KA-17-07-FB, KA-17-04-FB and KA-17-06-FB were found to be relatively more resistant to pest and diseases than other landraces. Eight out of nine landraces in Dhamidera and Dallekh villages and seven out of nine in Sundamunda village produced seeds greater than 1.0 t/ha. Among the nine varieties KA-17-02-FB was the highest yielding variety, with an average yield of 3.8 t/ha. This study is useful for identifying suitable landraces for future promotion based on their maturity, grain yield, diseases resistance and other qualitative and quantitative characteristics

Participatory ranking of fodders in the western hills of Nepal

Fodder is an important source of feed of the ruminants in Nepal. In the mid hills of Nepal, farmers generally practice integrated farming system that combines crop cultivation with livestock husbandry and agroforestry. Tree fodders are good sources of protein during the forage and green grass scarcity periods especially in dry season. Local communities possess indigenous knowledge for the selection of grasses and tree fodders at different seasons in mid hills of western Nepal. A study was conducted on the perception of farmers with respect to selection of fodder species in eight clusters in Kaski and Lumjung districts that range 900-2000 meter above sea level and receive average precipitation of 2000- 4500mm per annum. During the fodder preference ranking, farmers prepared the inventory of fodders found around the villages and nearby forests and selected top ten most important fodders in terms of their availability, palatability, fodder yield, milk yield and milk fat yield. In total, 23 top ranking fodders species were selected from the eight clusters. These fodder species were also ranked using pairwise ranking and weighted scoring methods and ranking was done on the basis of merit numbers obtained from weighted scores. The analysis revealed Artocarpus lakoocha as best tree fodder followed by Ficus semicordata, Thysanolena maxima and Ficus calvata. Similarly, the calendar of fodders trees for lopping season and the best feeding time was prepared on the basis of farmers’ local knowledge. This study suggests strategies for promotion of locally preferred tree fodder species and supplementing tree fodder with feed in different seasons depending on their availability and local preferences

Nutritive values of fodders at different seasons and altitudes in Gandaki River Basin of Nepal

This study aimed to assess the seasonal and ecological variation of chemical and nutritional values of locally preferred fodders in Gandaki River Basin (GRB) areas. The study was conducted in four altitudinal gradients viz. <400m, 400-800m, 800-1200m and 1200–1600m altitude above sea level in different looping seasons: rainy, spring and winter seasons. The most important five species of fodder trees Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii, Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus semicordata and Bauhinia purpurea were selected based on farmers’ preferences in nutritional values. Fodder samples comprised young leaves, old leaves and young twigs that were taken in July, September and December. It was revealed that nutritive value is not very much influenced by altitude but it is strongly influenced by lopping seasons. Among Thysanolaena maxima, Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea the cellulose contents were significantly different (p<0.001) with seasons but there was no significant variation with altitudes. Similarly, Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) contents in Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea were found significantly different with seasons. Ficus roxburghii fodder tree was found significantly different in Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), ADF, Cellulose and Potassium content with seasons. Similarly, fodder tree Bauhinia purpurea was found significant on Dry matter (DM), Crude fibre (CF), NDF, ADF, cellulose, tannin and potassium with seasons. The study hinted how careful planning of species selection and prudent decision in scheduling looping and feeding fodder trees can help improve animal metabolism, health, growth and productivity

Consistency of local perceptions of climate change in the Kangchenjunga Himalaya landscape

The Himalaya is experiencing rapid climate change that is likely to significantly impact local ecosystems, biodiversity, agriculture and human well-being. However, the scientific community has been slow to examine the extent and consequences of climate change. Local communities have been coping with environmental change since millennia. Thus they often have considerable knowledge about environmental change and means to cope with its consequences. We (a) examined the perceptions of local communities about climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, agriculture and livelihoods in the Kangchenjunga Himalayas region; (b) analysed the consistency of perceptions across geographical regions, and (c) assessed the conformity between local perceptions and scientific evidence. Our study is based on surveys conducted in 576 households, focus group discussions, key informant surveys and direct observations. The results show that people in the Kangchenjunga Himalayas region have considerable knowledge of climate change and its effects on the weather, ecosystems, biodiversity and agriculture. These perceptions are consistent across the region and conform to scientific findings

Nutritive Values of Fodders at Different Seasons and Altitudes in Gandaki River Basin of Nepal

This study aimed to assess the seasonal and ecological variation of chemical and nutritional values of locally preferred fodders in Gandaki River Basin (GRB) areas. The study was conducted in four altitudinal gradients viz. <400m, 400-800m, 800-1200m and 1200–1600m altitude above sea level in different looping seasons: rainy, spring and winter seasons. The most important five species of fodder trees Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii, Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus semicordata and Bauhinia purpurea were selected based on farmers' preferences in nutritional values. Fodder samples comprised young leaves, old leaves and young twigs that were taken in July, September and December. It was revealed that nutritive value is not very much influenced by altitude but it is strongly influenced by lopping seasons. Among Thysanolaena maxima, Artocarpus lakoocha, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea the cellulose contents were significantly different (p<0.001) with seasons but there was no significant variation with altitudes. Similarly, Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) contents in Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus roxburghii and Bauhinia purpurea were found significantly different with seasons. Ficus roxburghii fodder tree was found significantly different in Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), ADF, Cellulose and Potassium content with seasons. Similarly, fodder tree Bauhinia purpurea was found significant on Dry matter (DM), Crude fibre (CF), NDF, ADF, cellulose, tannin and potassium with seasons. The study hinted how careful planning of species selection and prudent decision in scheduling looping and feeding fodder trees can help improve animal metabolism, health, growth and productivity

Turning conflict into collaboration in managing commons: A case of Rupa Lake Watershed, Nepal

A growing body of literature on the commons has provided fascinating and intricate insights on how some local institutions have successfully managed to avoid a seemingly inevitable “tragedy of the commons” once popularized by Garrett Hardin. Primarily benefitting from the recent studies on the commonpool resources conducted by Elinor Ostrom and colleagues, polycentric selforganization and autonomy, rather than the direct state or market control over the commons, are often recognized as key features of the long enduring commons.However, these commons are quite diverse and the outcomes are often multiple and complex, accentuating the needs to differentiate among multiple commons outcomes. Furthermore, relatively under-reported are the cases where the degradation of common-pool resources are actually halted, and even restored. This study examines both the turbulent history of fishery mismanagement in Rupa Lake, Nepal and its reversal built around the participation, engagement and inclusiveness in the governance of its watershed. We find that Rupa Lake’s experience tells two stories. Reflecting Hardin’s dire forecast, the Rupa Lake watershed verged on collapse as population grew and seemingly selfish behaviorintensified under an open-access regime. But the users also found a way to rebound and reverse their course as they adopted a bottom-up approach to fishery management and established an innovative community institution, the ‘Rupa Lake Rehabilitation and Fishery Cooperative’, dedicated to the sustainable governance of the commons. This case highlights how one community at the threshold of ‘tragedy’ transformed itself by turning conflict into collaboration, which we hope contributes to the effort of better understanding multiple commons

Farmers’ seed networks and agrobiodiversity conservation for sustainable food security: a case from the mid-hills of Nepal

This paper was funded by the International Development Research Centre as well as Global Affairs Canada.This paper evaluates the nature and functioning of seed networks for rice, maize and finger millet, and explores the effect of such networks on agrobiodiversity conservation and food security. Using snowball sampling, ninety-five farmers from the Dhikurpokhari Village Development Committee in Kaski district, a representative site for western mid-hills of Nepal, were interviewed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Social network analysis tools and maps, with the help of NetDraw software, were used to examine the status of the network and identify the key nodal and connector farmers. It was revealed that there is a loose network of seed exchange in the community, varying according to crop. While nodal farmers play a more pivotal role than other farmers in seed exchange, only marginal differences were found in the characteristics of nodal and non-nodal farmers, apart from their age and education. More than 90% of farmers had saved seeds of maize and finger millet on their own, mainly local varieties, while only 70% of farmers had saved rice seed. Farmers’ practices of saving seed at home, limited varietal options in locality, a declining interest in agriculture, rural-to-urban migration and thence scarcity of labour have all contributed to a reduction in the exchange of seed. This in turn has affected the on-farm conservation of agrobiodiversity and food security at the local level