Neem (Azadirachtaindica) is a multipirpose tree species of great promise for resourcepoor, developing countries. It has been grown by farmers in Nepal's warmer, southernregions for at least a century. Most trees are found along avenues, in orchards, and onhomesteads. To date, large-scale, commercial neem plantations have not been reportedin Nepal.Although neem is found both in the wild and on cultivated land, its indigenoushabitat in Nepal has not yet been fully esta'1ished. Most researchers believe it is anexotic species with characteristics widely adaptive to Nepal's eco-physical conditions(Stainton, 1972; Pandey, 1982; Jackson, 1987; and Kayastha, 1985). However, some olderfarmers from the Dang and Surkhet valleys in western Nepal claim to have spottedneem in the natural forests as long as 20 years ago. According to them, the species is nolonger found in the wild due to excessive cutting for fuelwood, medicine, and fodder.Assuming that neem is exotic, it is believed that the tree was introduced to Nepal bytraders and farmers bringing the seeds from India after discovering the multiplebenefits of neem and by birds and other agents of seed propagation transferring neemseeds from India into Nepal's Tarai region. Based on Brandis (1921), Duthie (1903),Troup (1981), and Kanjilal (1928), as quoted in Tewari (1992), the natural habitat ofneem could be the Siwalik forests in Uttar Pradesh.The major uses of neem in Nepal are shade, toothbrush sticks, medicinal herbs,storage pest repellents, fodder, firewood, timber, fruit, and animal bedding materials.Neem is truly a multipurpose tree in Nepal.
