Himalayan Nature, in collaboration with ZSL Nepal under the ITHCP III Phase project funded by KFW and IUCN, has supported the beneficiaries of the Laxmi and Laligurans Community Forest, under the Rajkot Buffer Zone User Groups with Leaf Plate-making Machine. This initiative included comprehensive training prioritizing women, especially from marginalized and forest-dependent communities. The training covered topics such as technical components of leaf-plate machine handling and its operational guidelines, manufacturing, market linkages, and branding. Additionally, we conducted sessions on the rules and regulations governing national parks and buffer zones, first aid training, safeguarding strategies, and shared experiences from a woman entrepreneur currently operating a Leaf Plate Business.

This initiation was envisioned to increase the economic resiliency of the beneficiaries while promoting nature-based enterprises, to eventually reduce the human-tiger conflicts and promote coexistence.

The enthusiastic participation we witnessed during the training was truly inspiring.

Himalayan Nature wholeheartedly extends its wishes for the journey ahead.