Nepal’s Wildfire Crisis: Can Biomass Help?

Nepal is known for its diverse landscapes, beautiful forests and the magnificently tall snow capped mountains, over 46 percent of the land is covered in forests according to a report published by the world bank in November 2025. In recent years, however, the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires have emerged as a pressing concern for Nepal.

These fires not only devastate ecosystems but also pose substantial risks to human life and infrastructure. The escalating severity of wildfires is driven by a combination of factors, including climate change, land-use changes, and human activities. According to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) wildfire review for 2024, wildfires have surged significantly worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for innovative management strategies. The CAMS report states that the number of wildfires in Nepal doubled compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing concern over wildfire management and its environmental impact. This increase was mirrored in the estimated emissions from the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS), indicating a need for enhanced wildfire mitigation strategies.

Drawing on recent findings, this article examines residual biomass valorization as a tool for fire mitigation and sustainable development.

What is RAFB?

RAFB encompasses various organic materials, including crop residues, animal manure, tree pruning, and fallen leaves. this kind of biomass is traditionally seen as low-value and often left to decompose to enrich soils, poses significant risks when mismanaged. The accumulation of organic residues, such as leaves, branches, tree stubs, and grass, can elevate fuel loads in forests and agroforestry systems, intensifying the spread of wildfires.

Given the agrarian nature of the region, these biomass resources are abundantly available, yet their potential remains largely untapped. In 2020, the agriculture and forestry sector in Nepal generated approximately 906,753.984 million Nepalese rupees (around 6,866.561 million USD), highlighting the sector’s importance and the potential for creating value-added feedstock from residual biomass. Despite this potential, little is known about the residues produced, and valorization practices are minimal. Studies have shown that when properly managed and utilized, residual agroforestry biomass can be transformed into valuable products, providing significant economic opportunities for rural communities. This is particularly relevant in South Asia, where many livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture and forestry. By leveraging residual biomass, these communities can diversify their income sources, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development, particularly within the bio-refinery and bio-energy sectors.

Research has demonstrated that residual biomass can support a bio-circular economy. These plant-based residues, rich in lignocellulose, can be utilized to produce biofuels such as bioethanol. Additionally, antioxidants extracted from plants can be used in dietary supplements and cosmetics.

Income Generation through Biomass-Based Products

In recent years, the conversion of biomass into bioenergy products—such as biogas, biodiesel, and biomass pellets—has gained popularity. This not only provides a sustainable energy option but also creates income-generating opportunities for all stakeholders involved, including farmers, logging and transport companies, and manufacturing firms. However, challenges persist. Recent studies have found that farmers often lack bargaining power when it comes to pricing agricultural and forestry residues. Many are unaware of the value these residues hold and typically dispose of them as waste.

For instance, Ram Prasad Adhikari, a subsistence farmer in the Nuwakot district, stated, “I plant rice every year, but I have never considered how the husk from rice can be utilized to generate income; we generally dump it as waste.” Similarly, a farmer from Sundari Danda village expressed that despite producing various rice varieties, he perceives the stalks and husks as worthless and cannot directly generate a source of income for him. Farmers in Nepal usually dry the stalks into straw to feed livestock, create bedding for their livestock or burn them in the field itself to. This lack of awareness prevents small farmers from realizing the potential value of these residues, which could provide much-needed additional income. Studies indicate that Nepal produces approximately 1.151 million tons of rice husk annually, yet only a small fraction is utilized, with the majority ending up in landfills.

Challenges Faced by Communities in Developing Countries

While residual biomass can create alternative income streams for rural farmers reliant on subsistence agriculture, the valorization process can be costly. Transportation expenses often exceed the value of the residues themselves. Additionally, the seasonal availability of these residues poses a challenge, as they are primarily accessible during harvest time, making storage and supply critical for the sustainability of industries utilizing these materials.

Developing countries frequently grapple with poverty, limited job opportunities, and inadequate access to essential services, hindering their ability to explore alternative income sources and capitalize on emerging economic opportunities. Furthermore, the lack of modern technology and infrastructure exacerbates the challenges faced by these communities.

Overcoming the Challenges Involved

Governments can play a pivotal role in fostering an enabling environment for the utilization of agroforestry biomass. Through policies and incentives, they can encourage investment and innovation in biomass-related industries. Financial assistance, such as funding and grants, can support communities and entrepreneurs willing to engage in biomass utilization. Collaborations among government agencies, research institutions, and local communities can facilitate knowledge sharing and resource mobilization.

To fully harness the potential of agroforestry biomass, it is essential to focus on local entrepreneurship and employment. Training and capacity-building programs can equip community members with the skills necessary to process and market biomass-based products. By fostering entrepreneurship, job opportunities can be created within communities, leading to increased income and self-reliance. This approach also promotes the empowerment of women and marginalized groups, enabling their active participation in economic activities.

Raising awareness of sustainable practices is crucial. Utilizing residual agroforestry biomass contributes to sustainable development by enabling carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change. By producing energy from biomass, communities can reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, adopting biomass-based practices alleviates pressure on forests, preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Conclusion

The utilization of agroforestry biomass presents significant opportunities, albeit with challenges. Technical and logistical constraints, such as inadequate machinery and transportation infrastructure, can hinder the efficient use of biomass resources. However, the potential for residual agroforestry biomass in developing countries like Nepal is immense. By tapping into this valuable resource, communities can diversify their income streams, alleviate poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. Transforming biomass into bioenergy, biochar, and value-added products offers numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits. To overcome existing challenges, collaboration among various stakeholders is essential. Strengthening partnerships between community members, government agencies, NGOs, and private enterprises can facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and the development of innovative solutions.