More than a hundred local community members participated in a training workshop in late January to learn about management of invasive alien plant species to make bio-briquettes and bio-composting. Participants ranged from students from different eco-clubs to a mother’s group (samuha), Pragatisheel Mahila Samuha, Warden, and the assistant Warden and game scout from Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA). The training was facilitated by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

The training was organised as part of the ecosystem management component of the Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative to increase capacities of locals to manage invasive alien plant species (IAPS). It included hands on training to make bio-briquettes and compost using plant biomass, primarily Ageratina adenophora (kalo banmara, gandhe) and Erigeron karvinskianus (phule jhar), both a nuisance for farmers in grazing areas, agriculture and forest areas.

As a follow up to the training, the team plans to conduct a random monitoring exercise to see community uptake of the methods and also plans to involve the eco-clubs to restore an area currently invaded by Ageratina adenophora by planting  allo (Girardinia diversifolia) and native grass species for livelihood improvement.

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