KATHMANDU: Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri has called for a balanced approach to forest conservation and the proper utilization of forest resources, particularly timber, highlighting the irony of wood rotting in forests while consumers face shortages.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Seminar of Divisional Forest Officers, Minister Shahi urged officials and stakeholders to identify effective measures to address the longstanding issue of underutilized wood in Nepal’s forests.
“There are various problems including these,” he said. “This seminar should discuss and come to a conclusion on what measures can be adopted to increase forest conservation and wood utilization.”
He noted that while forest management has largely become a provincial responsibility under Nepal’s federal governance structure, the federal government still plays a key role in setting national policies, technical standards, and coordinating between different levels of government.
Minister Shahi expressed hope that the seminar would serve as a platform to assess past progress and engage in meaningful discussion on current challenges in the forestry sector. He emphasized the importance of sustainable forest management, increasing domestic production of forest products to reduce reliance on imports, and encouraging the active involvement of local communities in conservation efforts.
“In addition, discussions are needed on sustainable forest management, active participation of local communities, and measures to replace imports of wood and furniture by increasing domestic production of forest products,” he said. He also stressed that decisions taken at the seminar should ensure equitable access to forest products for all citizens and contribute to reducing the growing conflict between humans and wildlife.
Highlighting the environmental implications of using forest land for development, Minister Shahi reiterated the importance of seeking alternatives and maintaining a balance between development and environmental protection. He urged the provincial governments and Divisional Forest Offices to uphold this principle while facilitating forest land use.
The seminar is expected to result in actionable recommendations that will guide future policies on forest conservation and resource management in Nepal.
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