Over one billion in revenue from forest produce

Gandaki, Feb 9:The Gandaki Provincial Government has collected Rs 1.135 billion in revenue from the sale of forest produce and medicinal plants and herbs in the last seven years.    
    
 According to the statistics of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, about 65,000 cubic feet of wood and 12,143 pieces of firewood have been sold from national and private forests during this period. The ministry has stated that 802,629 kg of medicinal plants herbs have been collected.   
    
 Information Officer Rajesh Poudel shared that more than 2.5 million labor-days of employment have been created through the collection of forest produce. The community forest user group earns millions of rupees annually from the production and collection of forest produce and herbs.    
    
 The ministry has been collecting revenue from wood, firewood, herbs, contract sales, etc. He said that if the commercial production of herbs and industries based on forest produce can be expanded the income of consumers would increase further.    
    
 Meanwhile, central member of the Community Forest Users Federation, Prem Lamichhane shared that the state should emphasize on expanding the cultivation of fruits and herbs in vacant land in forest areas.    
    
 The ministry has stated that work has been done to protect and utilize forest products, including arranging for the collection of firewood, determining the distance between forest-based industries and forest areas.    
    
 During the period, 10.3 hectares of forest encroachment has been controlled. 4,250 wild animals rescued and Rs 96 million distributed in to farmers who have suffered crop damage due to wild animals. (RSS)