The project “Succeeding with CITES: Sustainable and equitable Jatamansi trade from Nepal” was just launched in Kathmandu, Nepal. This project address the sustainability and legality of international trade of the medicinal plant Nardostachys grandiflora (Jatamansi). ProFound consultant Jolanda van Hal attended the launch:
Great to see the strong support in Nepal from private sector companies and governmental organisations such as the Department of Plant and Resources and Ministry of Forests and Environment. This bodes well for our aim to develop equitable and sustainable Jatamansi trade from Nepal.
At the launch, Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, spoke of his Ministry’s full support for the implementation of the project. Mr. Parbat Gurung, Member of Parliament, noted the need to address the current challenges in the sustainable production and trade of Jatamansi.
Succeeding with CITES
The project will run till 2021 and encourage harvesting practices that comply with the FairWild Standard and certification scheme. At least 2,000 harvesters will receive appropriate training. We’ll establish ties with already committed responsible business companies in Europe. Our key 
partners are TRAFFIC, Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), the Department of Plant Resources, and private companies. This project is funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative.
The assistance of FairWild principles and robust measures introduced through the project will help traders, collectors and CITES Management Authorities to implement management plans leading to smoother, more traceable and sustainable international trade. – Anastasiya Timoshyna, TRAFFIC’s Programme Leader – Medicinal Plants