Felling of Saal trees will be checked strictly: PM Oli

Kathmandu, May 10: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli vowed to check the felling of Saal trees in the name of scientific forest management.     

Addressing the second National Forest Promotion seminar organised by the Ministry of Forest and Environment here on Saturday, PM Oli acknowledged the importance of Saal trees for causing rainfall. Saal trees should not be used for commercial purposes until these trees are mature, he reminded.     

The PM reaffirmed the incumbent government's commitment towards forest conservation and capitalising on the forest resources for the greater good of the earth. He opined that we should now focus on production rather than expanding forest coverage.     

Moreover, the Head of the Government called for adopting a policy that emphasises the prudent usage of forest products for commercial purposes, as well as strengthening forests and converting shrubs into dense forest.     

Oli suggested officers at the agriculture and forest offices could work in unison to promote the commercial farming of fruits. He underscored mutual cooperation and collaboration for forest conservation and ensuring economic gains from the cultivation of fruits and herbal plants.     

Encouraging farmers for animal husbandry would promote forests' regeneration and would contribute to an increase in wildlife's population, he said, adding that it further contributes to the conservation of both the forest and the agricultural ecosystem.     

PM Oli expressed concern over misinterpretation of his statement, 'Now, there is no need to increase tiger population', dubbing him as speaking against conservation.     

However, Oli took pride in Nepal's achievement in tiger conservation efforts and expanding forest coverage, which stands at 46 per cent at present. "We have protected tigers by more than double the international pledge we had made. The environmental conservation effort is in the interest of humans. If mankind itself is unsafe, the environment can't be conserved," he remarked.     

Noting that there were some countries that did not ratify the Paris Agreement, the PM saw the importance of global efforts in protecting the Earth and ecology.     

On a different note, he mentioned that Nepal is going to organise the 'Sagarmatha Sambad' for the first time at the level of the international diplomatic forum to coordinate global efforts for climate action.     

The event is slated to take place May 16-18 in Kathmandu. (RSS)