A total 80 students from the batch participated in the programme. During their visit, their trainings were fixed at different community forests and collaborative forests of Rupandehi and Kapilvastu.

At the field visit, the students compared the scientific and conventional forest management practices implemented in various forests. They learned the techniques of boundary survey of forest area using GPS (Global Positioning System), mapping of the forest and its sampling using GIS (Geographic Information System) software, comparison of the regeneration status between scientifically managed and unmanaged forests, calculation of Annual Allowable Harvest (AAH) from a particular forest, tree tagging and stem mapping procedures. With help from forest officers and field technicians of the corresponding districts, the students prepared scientific management plans of some community forests and collaborative forests. They also learnt that the Tilaurakot Collaborative Forest is the first forest managed under Scientific Forest Management Plan in Nepal.

They presented their works among the forest users and forest officers on the final day of the programme.

— Aditya Acharya, BSc IVth Year,

Institute of Forestry, Pokhara