Sustainable forest management could create 1.3 mln direct jobs: PM Prachanda

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 23: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that 1.3 million direct jobs could be created if the sustainable forest management system is applied.

Addressing the seventh National Convention of the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal on Tuesday PM Prachanda mentioned that as per the study if sustainable forest management is applied 101.1 million cubic feet of timber can be produced from the community forests annually. The annual demand of the country lies at 60 million cubic feet of timber.

"From which fulfilling the internal demand, more than Rs. 120 billion can be earned by exporting remaining 40 million cubic feet timbers annually." The PM added, "If we can manage our forests sustainably annually 1.3 million direct jobs could be created." 

He also said that if sustainable forest management is applied the import of timber from foreign countries could be replaced by the export of the timber."