As deforestation advances and forest products become increasingly scarce, women are the ones who must walk further afield to collect fuel and fodder, adding hours to their already long work days. Rural women are not only household managers but also, formally or informally resource managers. In the Garhwal region, women listed 145 species of plants lost due to deforestation and limestone mining. Trading in livestock, especially sheep and goats, and wool and woolen products, is the major livelihood strategy of hill and mountain people in Nepal as foodgrain production in these regions is inadequate. From the early days, weaving has been a part of daily life in the hills and mountains.
Women have a central role in such production.
Women are also extensively involved in informal trade selling food, vegetables and snacks in roadside stalls and local market. Production credit for rural women has supported women's handicrafts as income generating activities such as rice straw paper making, agro-products and handicrafts. Women are more vulnerable than men. In a predominantly rural community that is involved in agriculture characterized by incidence of poverty, rural food security is a priority concern. Women as producers of food and livestock, as well as primary meal makers have an important responsibility to ensure household food security.