The human dimensions of land change in Lamjung district of Nepal

Among land-change scientists, there is a growing recognition of the need for an integrative multilevel approach to study the relationships of agricultural ‘modification activities’ with global land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) (Moran 2005; Walsh et al. 2004). This new development comes as a crucial step to move beyond the primary area of change – the conversion of forests – to study the changes in agricultural areas, mainly the land-use strategies resulting in different agricultural intensification levels (Lambin et al. 2000; Laney 2004)

Influences of gender and locale on teachers’ job satisfaction

The gender and locale like personal attributes were associated with the Job satisfaction (JS) of school teachers.  This research examined the relationship between gender and JS across locale in school settings. This study followed a post-positivist paradigm with cross-sectional survey as the research design. The researcher used the survey questionnaire among 345 respondents by using cluster sampling and analyzed data with ‘t’ test. Meanwhile, social capital theory was incorporate to discuss the findings. Moreover, the female teachers from urban locale expressed high satisfaction in job than their male colleagues. In contrary, there is no difference in JS between male and female counterparts regarding rural locale except pay, incentive and benefits. However, this JS equipped teachers contribute to determine job effectiveness, high performances, and achievements

Contribution of Gender on Learning Readiness among School Students of Nepal

Readiness is the prerequisite for the effective learning process among school students. Its absence can hinder the learning of the students and schooling as a whole. The purpose of this study is to examine the contributions of gender in learning readiness.  This study is based on the cross-sectional survey design and it employed purposive sampling to gather data from 400 students via questionnaire. Then, the data were analyzed employing both descriptive and parametric statistical measures, particularly independent sample t-test.  In the meantime, the researcher has incorporated the social capital theory for discussing the results. The derived result reveals that all dimensions (student, school, and family) elucidated the high level of learning readiness among students.  Likewise, gender makes significant contributions in learning readiness and its dimensions due to variation in the influences related to the existing social capitals among students.  Finally, it is wrapped up that without gender equality, the enhancement of learning readiness is not possible

Impacts of \u3ci\u3eYartsa Gunbu\u3c/i\u3e Harvesting on Alpine Ecosystems in the Barun Valley, Makalu-Barun National Park, Nepal

Around 2003, the highly valuable medicinal fungi Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Nepali: yartsa gunbu) began to be commercially harvested in the remote Barun valley of the Makalu-Barun National Park and Buffer Zone, eastern Nepal. Since then, an estimated 3,000 collectors per year have visited the valley each harvesting season, placing new pressures upon its subalpine and alpine landscapes. A review of the yartsa gunbu literature suggested that its harvesting throughout highland India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China has brought important economic benefits, but that it has often been accompanied by a corresponding increase in negative environmental impacts such as alpine shrub destruction, wildlife poaching, and improper garbage disposal. Adverse social impacts reported have included an increase in violence, occasional murder, and the erosion of traditional values. In an attempt to determine if similar phenomena were occurring within the Barun valley, east Nepal, we conducted a month-long study of yartsa gunbu harvesting practices between May and June of 2016. Unlike other regions of the Himalaya, we found that violence and social unrest due to harvesting competition were unheard of in the Barun, which we link to the (a) lower market value of yartsa gunbu harvested there when compared to other regions, and (b) the recognized role of yartsa gunbu as a supplemental and livelihood diversifying income generation opportunity instead of a sole source of new income. Since its collection and sale were legalized by the Government of Nepal in 2001, the concurrent development of locally responsive yartsa gunbu harvesting policies and practices can also be linked to the general absence of environmental disturbance that we found

Let me Fly Abroad: Student Migrations in the Context of Nepal

Student migration has been increasing over recent years in Nepal. The increasing numbers of students leave the country to the developed countries for their higher education with the hope of getting practical skills and knowledge and other valuable experiences to enhance their future carrier. This paper intends to explore the motivation, aspirations, and excitements among international students while flying abroad to pursue their higher education from the developed countries. In doing so, we adopted a narrative inquiry assuming that the stories of student mobility and its outcome challenge the educational and employment aspirations of youth in Nepal. The aspirations among international students encourage them to fly abroad due to the expectation of handsome earning and pursuing a foreign degree. Moreover, this paper also highlights the motivation of prospective students and their desire to fly abroad for their academic journey

Contribution of Job Nature on Leadership Style among Academia

Purpose- Effective leadership practices in schools are only possible while headmaster and teachers adopt suitable leadership styles. The main purpose of this study is to identify the leadership styles as well as determine the association of democratic, autocratic and laissez-faire leadership style with each other among school teachers. Design/Methodology- This study is based on post-positivist research philosophy and cross-sectional survey as the research design which is confirmatory and explanatory in nature. It gathered the data via self-administer questionnaire from 345 school teachers and analyzed through descriptive statistics and parametric test.  Findings- The researcher derived that school teachers adopted a more democratic leadership style and gave least prefer to the laissez-faire leadership style in schools. Meanwhile, the lacking of equal facility and access to power exercise contributes to making significant differences in leadership styles across the job nature of school teachers. Furthermore, this study assess that there is no relationship between autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles. These distinct styles of leadership may develop the differences in work performances of school teachers. Practical Implications- This research provides the framework for another future researcher to investigate the input of job nature on leadership style among school teachers

Influence of Age group on Job Satisfaction in Academia

Purpose - Job Satisfaction (JS) has seen an upsurge concern in the arena of school management and it is highly associated with the age groups of school teachers. Thus, this study focused to ascertain the level of JS and examine it via age groups of school teachers.  Design - The scholar applied a cross-sectional survey design in post-positivist paradigm. The data were amassed from 345 school teachers of a cluster via self-administer questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and ANOVA test.  In the meantime, social exchange theory was employed to scrutinize the results.  Findings - This study found that the school teachers expressed moderate satisfaction in the job.  Likewise, the age groups significantly influence the JS among school teachers.  More specifically, the senior age group teachers expressed more satisfaction in the job than other groups of the teacher.  Subsequently, these job satisfied teachers contribute to more job commitment, effectiveness and work performances in the school. Furthermore, JS facilitates school to achieve elevated academic success.  Implications - The study endows with the concrete approach for other forthcoming scholar to explore the contribution of age groups on JS among academia. &nbsp

Impacts of Yartsa Gunbu Harvesting on Alpine Ecosystems in the Barun Valley, Makalu-Barun National Park, Nepal

Around 2003, the highly valuable medicinal fungi Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Nepali: yartsa gunbu) began to be commercially harvested in the remote Barun valley of the Makalu-Barun National Park and Buffer Zone, eastern Nepal. Since then, an estimated 3,000 collectors per year have visited the valley each harvesting season, placing new pressures upon its subalpine and alpine landscapes. A review of the yartsa gunbu literature suggested that its harvesting throughout highland India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China has brought important economic benefits, but that it has often been accompanied by a corresponding increase in negative environmental impacts such as alpine shrub destruction, wildlife poaching, and improper garbage disposal. Adverse social impacts reported have included an increase in violence, occasional murder, and the erosion of traditional values. In an attempt to determine if similar phenomena were occurring within the Barun valley, east Nepal, we conducted a month-long study of yartsa gunbu harvesting practices between May and June of 2016. Unlike other regions of the Himalaya, we found that violence and social unrest due to harvesting competition were unheard of in the Barun, which we link to the (a) lower market value of yartsa gunbu harvested there when compared to other regions, and (b) the recognized role of yartsa gunbu as a supplemental and livelihood diversifying income generation opportunity instead of a sole source of new income. Since its collection and sale were legalized by the Government of Nepal in 2001, the concurrent development of locally responsive yartsa gunbu harvesting policies and practices can also be linked to the general absence of environmental disturbance that we found