Promoting Responsible Business in Natural Products of Nepal-A Joint Effort of Himalayan Bio Trade and Aveda
Himalayan Bio Trade P. Ltd. (HBTL) and Aveda Corporation have been promoting responsible business in natural products through a forest certification program in Nepal since 2003. The partnership has allowed the Sustainable Bio Trade Group (SBTG), in which HBTL is a group manager, to be awarded the Chain of Custody (COC) certification accredited by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for trading FSC certified non-timber forest products (NTFP) for the first time in Asia and handmade paper for the first time in the world.
Aveda’s interest in maximizing benefits to the primary collectors and processors of raw materials granted HBTL the opportunity to market its FSC certified handmade paper products to international markets. Aveda’s commitment to promote Nepali handmade paper was recently shown with their decision to incorporate the paper products as a theme for their 2009 holiday line. With efforts like this, Aveda is supporting HBTL in developing its capacity and promoting community based rural enterprises. HBTL is now looking forward to developing its business even further and making Aveda's endeavor successful. Aveda, ANSAB and Enterprise Works/VITA (EWV) are important partners for HBTL to promote community products from Nepal.
The collaboration between Aveda and HBTL is greatly benefitting marginalized community groups, helping them to fight poverty and improve their standard of living. Employment creation and income generating opportunities at a local level, where forest sustainability, social, and economical issues are a factor, are now closely monitored and product quality is controlled from harvest to finished product. These efforts are helping to create sustainable supply chains that will benefit these communities for years.