Area under forest increases by 0.75 percent

 Kathmandu, Dec 21: The forest cover in the country has increased by 0.75 percent in 2022 as compared to 2019, according to a study report. 

The study was conducted jointly by the Forest Research and Training Center (FRTC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The report shows that in 2022, 19 percent of the total land area in Nepal is covered by rocks, snow, glaciers, other wooded land, riverine wasteland, built-up area, water and open land. 

FRTC Director General Dr Rajendra KC said that area under forest and other wooded land in Nepal in 2022 was 46.08 percent (6 million 797 thousand 257 hectares). The area in this category in 2019 was 45.33 percent (6 million 686 thousand 828 hectares). During that period the area under other wooded land was found to have decreased.

Launching the study report, Director General KC said the other wooded land and some cultivable land has been found transformed into forest land. 

According to him, the real-time and periodic data on land-cover change included in the report would be provided to the various national and international organizations concerned. 

He added that the main objective of the report was to provide regular and credible information on the forest area of the country to the national and international organizations concerned.

The FRTC Director General also believed that the report will prove to be an important document in formulating practical strategic plan related to forests and various researches as well as in maintaining coordination doe the development of forests and related areas. 

According to Director General KC, the agriculture land area was 65.4 percent in the Tarai in 2022. Similarly, the forest cover was 73.67 percent in Chure, 64.54 percent in the mid-hills region and 57.20 percent in mountainous region in 2022.

"The largest area 41.59 percent of the total area in the mountainous region is covered by grassland. The study shows that the forest area has increased in the Tarai, Chure and mid-hilly regions," he added. (RSS)