KANCHANPUR: Once barren and overgrazed, the Mahakali Community Forest in Krishnapur Municipality-6, Banjariya, has transformed into a lush green habitat thanks to the dedication and scientific management of local forest users.
Kamal Prasad Chaudhary, an active member of the user group, shared that the area, previously covered with open fields and invasive Michaha species, is now teeming with native trees like Sal, Asna, Bijaysal, Harro, Barro, and Amala.
“We controlled open grazing, removed invasive species, and restricted human entry,” said the 67-year-old. “Now the forest is a sight to behold.”
As a result of this conservation effort, wildlife that had once vanished has started to return. According to Treasurer Kalusingh Chaudhary, species such as chital, wild boar, nilgai, peacock, and forest fowl are now being spotted again.
“We hadn’t seen forest chickens here for over four decades. Their return is a sign of encouraging change,” he noted. An artificial pond has also been constructed to support wildlife as their presence increases.
Forest users are actively involved in protecting and regenerating the forest. They take turns patrolling, build fire lines, and collectively extinguish fires when necessary. These efforts have improved forest regeneration and helped revive natural vegetation.
With improved forest health, locals are now able to collect firewood, grass, and timber more easily, said Community Forest Secretary Devaki Negi.
Chairman of the User Group, Bir Bahadur Rajbanshi, credited the transformation to the users’ deep commitment and love for the forest. He said that responsibilities for tasks such as bush clearing, thinning, fire prevention, and patrolling have been divided among office bearers, advisory members, and staff, with progress reviewed and new strategies adopted as needed.
“This has increased participation and ownership among users and contributed to biodiversity and vegetation growth,” Rajbanshi said.
“Forest regeneration has restored the balance of air, water, soil, and temperature. There’s no more soil erosion like before, biodiversity is protected, and ponds and rivers no longer dry up because the trees help attract rainfall.”
He added that conservation has also created economic opportunities for locals through tree planting, forest care, timber harvesting, and eco-tourism.
The community forest has played a major role in local development. Income from the sale of timber, firewood, and grass has funded the construction of a two-story office building, installation of fencing, a waiting room, a bridge over the Baluwa River, and the building of Mahadev and Vanadevi temples, according to Advisory Committee Coordinator Megh Bahadur Kandel.
Kandel further shared that the forest group is offering soft loans at a 0.5% annual interest rate from its revolving fund to support small businesses, vegetable farming, animal husbandry, and resettlement of returnees from abroad.
“This has helped empower women, promote youth self-employment, and improve the living standards of marginalized communities,” he said. “We’ve also strengthened ties with local users through neighborhood committees and awareness campaigns.”
Kandel emphasized that the transformation is not just ecological but social: “This forest is no longer just a patch of green — it is a symbol of life, unity, and prosperity. What was once barren land has become a thriving community asset.”
The Mahakali Community Forest spans 197.57 hectares and supports 249 users. Its annual income is approximately Rs. 3 million.
Comment