Forest resources are foundation of prosperity: Minister Thakuri

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 25: Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri has said that the ministry had initiated various policy and structural actions to increase people’s incomes by mobilising forest and forest-related resources.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday to provide information about the ministry’s key works performed in the first 100 days, Minister Thakuri revealed that eight long-term policy and legal documents have been prepared during this period.

He said, “This will mark a significant leap in Nepal’s forest, biodiversity and environmental sectors. Sustainable forest management standards and a strategic plan for national forests have been formulated in a manner that aligns with federalism.”

Minister Thakuri further said that amendments have been made to the law to ensure the involvement of the private sector in carbon trading, with a profit-sharing plan approved to ensure that 80 per cent of the carbon sale benefits reach the community. He also mentioned that Rs. 659 million has been collected in the Forest Development Fund and a policy to mobilise these funds has been prepared.

“Right after taking office, I discouraged operating ongoing programmes with foreign loans and ensured that the ‘Forests for Prosperity’ programme is implemented through grant assistance, securing Rs. 1.6 billion in grant aid. The issue of operating the ‘Forests for Prosperity’ programme through loans is now over,” Minister Thakuri said.

He also said that a programme worth Rs. 29 billion has been initiated to enhance climate resilience in communities and manage natural resources in climate-vulnerable watersheds in the Himalayan and hilly regions.

He announced that Rs. 1.6 billion will be earned from carbon trading in 13 districts of the Tarai, with an implementation plan already in place. 

Increase in forest area and forest products

Minister Thakuri highlighted that under the leadership of all three levels of government and with active community participation, forest coverage has increased from 45.31 per cent in 2019 to 46.08 per cent.

So far, 8,000 cubic feet of sawed wood have been distributed. Maps showing the types of forest areas in all seven provinces and 753 local levels have been prepared. During this period, the ministry has removed obstacles to land acquisition and tree cutting along the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track and Butwal road sections. 

He said that permission has been granted for the cutting of 44,000 trees in 130 hectares of forest land for 18 national priority projects. Similarly, environmental studies for 20 development projects have been facilitated.

Effective presence at climate change platforms

Preparations for COP 29, including infrastructure, committees and a national roadmap, have been completed and effective implementation has begun, he said.

Similarly, Minister Thakuri said that Nepal would participate in COP 29, focusing on mountain, disaster management and climate finance issues under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The ministry has been designated as the national focal point for the Climate Adaptation Fund. A climate workshop was recently held in Rara, Mugu, in preparation for COP 29, where a five-point declaration was issued.

A decision has been made to hold a general assembly in Nepal with the participation of all South Asian countries to combat wildlife crimes. “The snow leopard population survey, which serves as an indicator of a healthy Himalayan environment, has been completed. Wild boars have been declared agricultural pests and a study on declaring red monkeys as harmful wildlife is in the decision-making process,” he said.

Minister Thakuri also announced the start of permits for commercial breeding and raising of wildlife to support prosperity. The management responsibility of the Central Zoo has been extended to the National Trust for Nature Conservation for an additional 30 years. A programme for alternative habitats for one-horned rhinos has been arranged in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

To expand the services of medicinal herb processing centres, a successful trial for the collection and processing of Timur (Szechuan pepper) has been completed in Jajarkot. Efforts to acquire land for an industry in Gorkha and expand cultivation in Siraha have also been made. 

According to the ministry’s progress report, around 647,000 herbal care products have been produced by the Herbal Processing and Production Company Limited.

Minister Thakuri also said that the process for the export of Jatamasi (Spikenard) has been simplified. “Considering the situation of soil erosion, we are in the final stages of publishing a national map and atlas for watershed management,” he said.