FLR is a long-term investment and local communities desire short term benefits to support their households and change behaviour. The support from National Bank enabled communities to get jobs for the completion of silvicultural tasks.
Research on native species, technical development and standard promotion
The Engineers’ Association prioritises research on native species, leading to breakthroughs in early emergence techniques for bamboo shoots, organic fertiliser production, and mixed planting of hickory and native herbs. These advancements not only address farmers’ technical challenges but also enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The Association has also contributed to the formulation of forest resource management standards for Lin’an District, ensuring scientific guidance for agroforestry development is rooted in local ecological conditions.
The Association integrates experts from various fields to research native species and develop agroforestry techniques that balance conservation and economic growth
Collaboration with local government, research institutions, and experienced farmers facilitates the development and implementation of scientific standards for local forestry products such as the bamboo shoots, hickory nuts, and other flagship products
Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential for advancing agroforestry technologies and promoting standardised, research-based approaches to native species conservation and sustainable use
Ecological farming and regional cultural excavation
Community participation in collaborative development
Comprehensive Factory Layout and Workflow of Menstrual Pad Production Unit
Every Side View of factory
@NIDISI
Factory layout with dimension
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Front view of Factory
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Machine Placement in Production Area
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Factory Layout Overview:
The sanitary pad production unit is located near an urban area to ensure easier access to distribution channels, skilled labor, and transport networks. The factory is built with concrete walls and insulated galvanized tin sheet roofing, providing durability and heat protection during warmer seasons.
Total Area: 1,420 sq. ft
Production Scale: Semi-scale
Daily Output: 3,000 pads
Key Areas: Raw material storage, production floor, office, break room, restroom, and an internal lab for testing pads
For visuals of the layout and machine placement, please refer to the gallery attached to this block.
Step-by-Step Production Workflow
Raw Material Collection
Banana Fiber Paper Shredding
Fluffy Absorbent Core Formation
Layer Assembly and UV Sterilization
Packaging and Storage
Note: Hygiene is a top priority. The factory adheres strictly to national hygiene standards and follows clear internal protocols to ensure product safety at every stage of production. For further insights on hygiene practices, see Solution name “Defining a Good Menstrual Pad: A User-Centered R&D Process in Nepal.”
Additional Documents Available in this Block:
Detailed factory layout and production/material flow (PDF)
Energy consumption overview (PDF)
Cost estimation for setting up the factory (PDF)
Access to Skilled and Committed Local Teams: A key enabler was working with a motivated local team of engineers, technicians, and community members who co-developed the layout, machinery, and production processes.
Collaborative Engineering Partnerships: Close collaboration between Sparśa, NIDISI, and Grit Engineering ensured a practical and efficient setup tailored to compostable pad production using banana fiber.
Availability of Local Building Materials: Using locally available materials for construction helped reduce costs, avoid delays, and ensure context-appropriate building design.
Proximity to Urban Infrastructure: Choosing a location close to electricity supply lines, road access, and labor pools helped streamline setup and operational logistics.
Commitment to Hygiene and Quality Standards: The integration of hygiene protocols and on-site testing facilities ensured product safety and regulatory compliance from the beginning.
Hands-On Prototyping and Iteration: The flexibility to prototype machine layouts and factory flow on-site allowed for rapid problem-solving and process improvements.
Start with a Leased Facility When budgets are limited, leasing a space is a more flexible and cost-effective option. Once the product gains traction and operations stabilize, you can invest in building a permanent facility.
Select Your Location Wisely: Choose land with access to government utilities like water and electricity. Avoid polluted areas or sites near chemical factories to meet hygiene standards. Engaging with local community members early can help prevent land-use conflicts later.
Involve Professionals from the Start: Even for small buildings, consulting architects or engineers is essential. Key aspects like ventilation, lighting, and structural durability are often overlooked without expert input.
Maintain Clear Communication with Contractors: Regular updates and site visits help ensure that the work follows your expectations and timeline, reducing delays and misunderstandings.
Plan the Electrical Setup Around Machines: Understand your machines’ power needs (single-phase vs. three-phase) before finalizing layout. Proper planning avoids costly rewiring or power mismatches during installation.
Build Local Technical Support Networks: Having a reliable local metalworker or technician on standby can make a big difference when small repairs or adjustments are needed—keeping your production on track.
Okomu National Park staff have increased capacity for preventive law enforcement and are implementing a standardized law enforcement strategy throughout the project
As part of the process of developing a law enforcement strategy for Okomu National Park that is focused on crime prevention, and to build capacity of rangers of the park in data collection and analysis using Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), SCERA organised a 5 days training workshop. The course aimed to build the capacity of ONP staff, national park service staff and SCERA staff in core SMART skills, and provide them with resources to support further training of protected area staff. The training/workshop was taught by a consultant TCHAKOUDEU KEHOU Stephane
More so, a 2-day training on Human Rights and Social Safeguards training took place. The same batch of rangers that were trained on SMART were the ones trained. After the training, a WhatsApp group was created for the consultant to continue to share information with the rangers
