A Sequential Procedure for Testing Unit Roots in the Presence of Structural Break in Time Series Data: An Application to Quarterly Data of Nepal, 1970-2003

Testing for unit roots has special significance in terms of both economic theory and the interpretation of estimation results. as there are several methods available, researchers face method selection problem while conducting the unit root test on time series data in the presence of structural break. this paper proposes a sequential search procedure to determine the best test method for each time series. different test methods or models may be appropriate for different time series. therefore, instead of sticking to one particular test method for all the time series under consideration, selection of a set of mixed methods is recommended for obtaining better results.time series, stationarity, unit root test, structural break, sequential procedure

Financial Liberalization Index for Nepal

A financial liberalization index (FLI) for Nepal is constructed in order to show the degree or the level of financial liberalization at a particular time. FLI is calculated on the basis of principal components method following Demetriades and Luintel (1997), Bandiera, Caprio et al. (2000), Laeven (2003), and Laurenceson and Chai (2003). The index comprises eight policy components, viz, (1) interest rate deregulation (IRD), (2) removal of entry barriers (REB), (3) reduction in reserve requirement (RRR), (4) easing in credit control (ECC), (5) implementation of prudential rules (IPR), (6) stock market reform (SMR), (7) privatization of state-owned banks (PSB), and (8) external account liberalization (EAL). As some of these policy measures have been implemented in phases, the index is designed to take into account their partial and gradual implementation too.Financial Liberalization, Welfare, Employment, Income Distribution, South Asia, Nepal

Trekking Use Pattern and Perception of Users and Residents Towards Trekking Tourism in the Annapurna Sanctuary Trail, Nepal

The study assesses trekking use pattern and perception of trekkers and residents towards trekking tourism in the Annapurna Sanctuary Trail (AST) which is one of the most popular trekking areas in Nepal. Two separate questionnaire surveys, one representing 135 randomly selected trekkers and another involving 110 randomly selected households were conducted. The overall perception of trekkers was measured by a composite index developed from their opinions for six different attributes of the journey in the AST, where 1 represented most favourable perception and 4 represented most unfavourable perception. Likewise, residents' opinions on support for tourism, perception towards tourism's impacts and opinions for progressive tourism management statements were used in measuring the overall perception of residents, but in this case I represented most negative perception while 4 denoted most positive perception. It was found that the characteristics of the trekkers and pattern of use of the AST were not much different from other wilderness areas in the world. The per day expenditures of the trekkers in the AST was NRs . 222.2. They also spent large sum of money on trekking fees and porters and guides. However, this money is not retained in the area. Although the trekkers expressed somewhat unfavourable views towards litter condition and a few services, they in general showed positive view towards all attributes of the journey in the AST. It was noted that there were significant differences in the perceptions of trekkers towards various attributes of the journey in the AST; and area features was the most important factor in explaining the perception of journey in the AST

Tipologija ulic v Katmanduju in njihova preobrazba

Živahne in pešcem prijazne ulice iz obdobja dinastije Malla in edinstvena podoba ulic iz obdobja dinastije Rana ter tudi ulice na načrtno in nenačrtno pozidanih območjih se zaradi slabo načrtovane rasti mest, neurejene gradnje stavb in vse večjega števila vozil hitro spreminjajo. Vse to uničuje fizično podobo, zmanjšuje obseg družabnih dejavnosti ter povečuje nevarnost nesreč in neudobje pešcev na vseh vrstah ulic. Teh negativnih posledic pa ni mogoče reševati na podlagi sedanjih pravnih in institucionalnih okvirov, ki so jih oblikovali urbanistični in prometni organi. Celo novejši posegi za izboljšavo ulic so gibanje pešcev samo še bolj omejili, podobo ulic poslabšali, javne prostore nadomestili s prometnicami, predvsem pa še pospešili zgoščevanje pešcev in prometa na območjih, ki so bila že tako preobremenjena. Da bi smer razvoja spremenili in poudarili značilnosti tradicionalnih ulic v Katmanduju, je treba nujno uvesti trojno urbanistično strategijo, ki bo poslovne dejavnosti preselila iz mestnega središča, izboljšala območja prehoda med ulicami (in pločnike) in dejavnostmi v pritličjih stavb na obeh straneh ulic ter uvedla strog prometni nadzor. Obenem bi vsi ti ukrepi morali temeljiti na prožnih načrtovalskih smernicah, spodbudah in soglasju med različnimi déležniki

Controlling the Momentum Current of an Off-resonant Ratchet

We experimentally investigate the phenomenon of a quantum ratchet created by exposing a Bose-Einstein Condensate to short pulses of a potential which is periodic in both space and time. Such a ratchet is manifested by a directed current of particles, even though there is an absence of a net bias force. We confirm a recent theoretical prediction [M. Sadgrove and S. Wimberger, New J. Phys. \textbf{11}, 083027 (2009)] that the current direction can be controlled by experimental parameters which leave the underlying symmetries of the system unchanged. We demonstrate that this behavior can be understood using a single variable containing many of the experimental parameters and thus the ratchet current is describable using a single universal scaling law.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1210.565

Collective Action and Equity in Nepalese Community Forestry

This thesis critically analyses collective action processes and outcomes in Community Forestry through the concept of embeddedness. This research focuses on the questions of when people cooperate, how and why collective action emerges and evolves, and what leads or does not lead to equitable outcomes. The thesis makes a fundamental distinction between equality and equity. The research focuses specifically on the Nepalese experience with Community Forestry (CF), which is regarded as one of the most progressive CF programs being implemented in one of the poorest countries in the world. The thesis adopts an integrated research approach involving multiple actors, scales and methods with a focus on local level CF processes and forest users. This study considers the Forest Users Group (FUG) as a unit for analysis. Field work was conducted in three FUGs from the mid-hill region of Nepal over seven months between August 2001 and February 2002. The field research moves downwards to the household level and upward to the district, national and international level actors. It employs a combination of the process analysis and actor oriented approach and qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how CF is being driven, who is driving it and why CF is advancing in a certain direction. The study shows that the emergence, evolution and outcomes of collective action in CF are complex and varied due to specific and changing socio-cultural, economic, political and ecological contexts. Without understanding the complexities, in which peoples’ motivation and collective action are embedded, we cannot explain the emergence and evolution of collective action in CF. This thesis challenges the rational choice tradition and some key points of Common Property Regimes (CPR) theory and highlights the concept of embeddedness in participatory natural resource management. The thesis highlights the problem of decentralised CF policy and the forest bureaucracy. Decentralisation universally imposes a formal democratic system based on equality without acknowledging unequal societies. In Nepal, there has been little reorganisation of the forest bureaucracy. Despite being an international model for community forestry, in Nepal the existing bureaucracy has been unable or unwilling to transfer knowledge to forest users. The thesis concludes by stating the need to avoid the pitfalls of some democratic principles associated with standardisation and formalism. This means transforming bureaucratic norms and ideology. Context is central for the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources. It must be further researched and applied in decision-making if CF is going to achieve its potential to improve the condition of forests and the welfare of rural people