Timber Losses during Harvesting in Managed Shorea robusta Forests of Nepal

Upendra Aryal, Prem Raj Neupane, Bhawana Rijal and Michael Manthey
Additional contact information
Upendra Aryal: Institute of Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstraße 15, Room 1.40, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
Prem Raj Neupane: Institute of Wood Science, World Forestry, University of Hamburg, Leuschnerstr. 91e, 21031 Hamburg, Germany
Bhawana Rijal: Division Forest Office, Palpa, Tansen 6, P.O. Box 32500, Palpa 32505, Nepal
Michael Manthey: Institute of Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstraße 15, Room 1.40, 17489 Greifswald, Germany

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Logging and sawing of timber using conventional tools by unskilled workers causes enormous damage to the valuable timber, residual stand, regeneration, and forest soil in Nepal. The purpose of this study was to find out the volume reduction factor and identify major strategies to reduce timber losses in the tree harvesting process in the Terai Shorea robusta forest of Nepal. Field measurements and product flow analysis of 51 felled trees from felling coupes and randomly selected 167 sawed logs were examined to study harvesting losses. Responses from 116 forest experts were analyzed to explore strategies for reducing harvesting and processing losses. The results showed that timber losses in the felling and bucking stage with and without stem rot were 23% and 22%, respectively. Similarly, timber losses in the sawing stage with and without stem rot were 31% and 30%, respectively. Paired t -test at 5% level of significance revealed that there was significant loss in both tree felling and log sawing stages with present harvesting practice. The most leading factor contributing to timber loss in all of the three stages was the use of inappropriate equipment during tree harvesting. Use of synthetic ropes for directional felling and skidding as well as flexible and portable sawing machine with size adjustment options during sawing were mainly recommended as strategies to reduce timber losses. This study serves as a baseline study to identify and quantify timber losses in different stages of tree conversion and also formulate their reduction strategies in Nepal.

Keywords: harvesting tools; reduction strategies; Terai Shorea robusta forest; tree harvesting losses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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