Forests 'We should be adopting a gentler, more considered approach, seeking  always to work with the grain of nature in making better, more  sustainable use of what we have.' --H.R.H Prince Charles.

Traditional Ways.
Traditional management of natural resources in Khumbu is influenced 
by Buddhist beliefs. Following the nationalization of Nepal's forests 
in the late 1950's, the National Park and Himalayan Trust have been 
working with the local community to re-introduce the work of the 
nawa, or traditional forest guardians. The locally elected village 
nawa relies on the Monastery to choose the best dates for the yearly 
activities according to the Tibetan calendar.

Drawing a Boundary.
On an auspicious date the nawa fixes a Line, or Di, which is a 
boundary around the agricultural areas. For a certain period in 
summer, no animals are allowed to graze within this area and they are 
taken to higher pastures. In addition, the Di can also mark areas 
where grass or wood cutting and even household fires are restricted. 
This annual ceremonial expulsion of livestock protects crops, plants 
and trees during the short crucial growing season.

The Protected Forests.
The nawa is also responsible for the 'Kyak Shing' or protected 
forests. Most were decreed sacred by the local lamas but some were 
secular and protected for community use such as building bridges.

In the last century, sacred or protected forests comprised nearly 
half of Khumbu's forest. Some of these woods were totally protected, 
and even carrying an axe into the area was forbidden for fear of 
upsetting the local protectors and deities. In other forests, 
controlled felling was allowed. The only trees still standing in some 
villages are the sacred trees, believed to be the abode of the "Lu" 
or local spirits.

Untouched Groves.
Over 150 years ago a few forested areas were placed under the lama's 
protection in Phortse. Although limited cutting is allowed in some 
areas, over ten hectares of old mossy birch forest show no sign that 
a single branch has ever been cut. In this way not only were the 
forests protected but so too was the wildlife. This is a striking 
example of traditional values protecting the landscape even in an 
area where trees are so useful and scarce.

The Forest at Tengboche.
The forest around Tengboche was given to the monastery in 1919 and is 
sacred. Before growing pressure from mountaineering and tourism, 
controlled felling was allowed, but the forest was protected from 
severe cutting. In spite the fact that National Park regulations 
require camping groups to carry kerosene and the cutting of green 
wood is outlawed, regulations are disregarded and the forest is 
suffering from unsustainable cutting. Porters and lodges use live 
wood for cooking and heating and as there is no fuel on the higher 
trekking routes, porters take it from here. Tengboche Rinpoche, the 
abbot, still has the original letter granting the forest to the 
monastery and it is hoped that with the help of new initiatives in 
park management the forest will revert to its former status with the 
effective, traditional way of management and protection.

Magical Trees.
In Pangboche, there is a beautiful old grove of juniper trees near to 
the monastery. Here Lama Sangwa Dorje is said to have scattered a 
handful of hair to the wind, which took root as the forest. These 
trees are not only sacred but also inhabited by local spirits. People 
believe that if they are cut it will result in sickness and 
misfortune.

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