A Community’s Fight To Protect Precious Tree

Loth Salla, scientifically known as Taxus wallichiana or the Himalayan yew, grows between 2,300 and 3,400 meters. This tree is not an ordinary plant. Its leaves and bark contain taxol, a powerful compound used worldwide in cancer treatment. 

For the locals of Lespar village in Parbat district, Loth Salla is more than a medical value. It’s a vital part of their daily lives, providing wood for construction, fuel for warmth, and ingredients for traditional healing practices. However, its value has led to overuse, with excessive cutting of its trees for trade and local needs pushing the tree to the brink of extinction. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed Loth Salla as endangered, signalling an urgent need for action to prevent its disappearance.

In Lespar village, located at an altitude of about 2,200 meters in Modi Rural Municipality, lies Reshapatal Community Forest, a dense woodland, where Loth Salla is planted. The plantation was carried out after the valuable herbal tree faced the risk of extinction due to excessive felling.   

Tek Bahadur Pun, a former Indian Army soldier with a deep love for his homeland’s forests, initiated the plantation. His leadership sparked a community-driven movement to save Loth Salla, showing how collective effort can protect nature while paving the way for a sustainable future. The story of Reshapatal is one of resilience, innovation, and hope, inspiring communities across Nepal to preserve their natural heritage.

The Reshapatal Community Forest Users’ Group (CFUG), led by Pun, took on the challenge of saving Loth Salla with a clear goal of protecting the forest not just for themselves but for future generations. 

About 12 years ago, they received 11,000 Loth Salla saplings from the Division Forest Office in Parbat. The community was hopeful, but the saplings, unsuited to the harsh local climate, failed to survive. This setback could have ended their efforts, but instead, it pushed them to find a better solution within their own forest.

They discovered that mature Loth Salla trees in Reshapatal produced tiny red seeds, hidden under leaves, from August to November (Bhadra to Mangshir). These seeds, though scarce and hard to collect due to their small size and limited quantity, were perfectly adapted to the local environment unlike the external seedlings. When planted, these seeds grew into strong, healthy trees.

 “We have a duty to protect our forest,” said Dil Bahadur Pun, a local. “So, we planted Loth Salla on empty land to bring it back.” For over a decade, the community has diligently planted these seeds every year, with recent efforts in June and July supported by the Division Forest Office. They have also built fences to shield young trees from grazing animals and other threats, slowly reviving the forest’s Loth Salla population.

Tek Bahadur Pun has been the driving force behind this movement. After his time in the Indian Army, he returned to Lespar. Recognising Loth Salla’s importance both for its medicinal value and its role in the community, he rallied his neighbours. He did not just talk about conservation; he showed them how to act. By blending traditional practices, like using forest resources wisely, with modern conservation techniques, Pun made everyone, from youths to elders, feel proud of their forest. “This is our forest,” he often said, “and we must care for it together.”

The community’s efforts extend beyond planting. Pun and the CFUG established nurseries to ensure a steady supply of Loth Salla saplings, ready to be planted each season. They trained locals to monitor for pests and diseases, protecting the young trees from harm. Partnership with the Division Forest Office in Parbat and the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal brought valuable resources training, advice, and occasional funding. For instance, the Forest Office helped fund fencing for the plantation areas, strengthening the community’s ability to safeguard Loth Salla.

Saving Loth Salla has not been easy. The global demand for taxol tempts some to cut trees for quick profits, threatening conservation efforts. Climate change, with its unpredictable rains and temperature shifts, makes it harder for young trees to survive. Limited funding and tools in rural areas like Lespar also slow progress. Yet, Pun sees these challenges as opportunities. He envisions sustainable income sources, like creating herbal products from Loth Salla leaves or inviting tourists to learn about the forest’s conservation story. These ideas could create jobs while keeping the trees safe, balancing economic needs with environmental protection.

The difficult work is paying off. Reshapatal’s forest is greener, with new Loth Salla trees thriving where barren patches once stood. “If we can do it, others can too,” Pun said with a smile. The CFUG has ambitious plans: expanding nurseries, strengthening patrols to prevent illegal cutting, and advocating for stronger national laws to protect Loth Salla across Nepal. By sharing their story, they hope to inspire other communities to care for their forests.

Market Challenges 

For CFUGs, planting Loth Salla offers both challenges and opportunities, especially given Nepal’s limited domestic market for its products. While taxol’s global value for cancer treatment is significant, Nepal’s herbal industry remains underdeveloped, and without support from the government and companies like the Herbal Product Processing Company Limited (HPPCL), Loth Salla’s use may be confined to timber, as seen in districts like Parbat and Myagdi. In Parbat, Kaski, and Baglung, CFUGs have successfully planted Loth Salla using local seeds, supported by nurseries, fencing, and partnerships with the Division Forest Office. Similar efforts are emerging in Dolakha and Ramechhap, but low market demand and risks like overharvesting and climate change-triggered unpredictable rains and temperature shifts pose challenges.

To make Loth Salla viable, the government and HPPCL must develop a stable market for its medicinal products, preventing reliance on timber alone. Sustainable income sources, like eco-tourism or herbal products such as tea, could boost local economies while protecting the forest. 

Despite hurdles like slow growth and limited resources, partnerships and policies like the Forest Act of 2019 make planting worthwhile. By following Reshapatal’s model and advocating for market support, CFUGs can ensure Loth Salla’s ecological and economic value, safeguarding this endangered tree for future generations.

(Neupane holds a Bachelor's degree in Forestry.)