Policy-level improvement on to make country self-reliant in timber: Forests Minister

Kathmandu, June 12: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, has said preparation has been made for policy-level improvement with an objective of promoting domestic timber by discouraging import of foreign timber.     

In today's meeting of the Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly, discussion was held about the implementation of suggestion on study report about the 'Status of Human-Wildlife Conflict at National Parks, Wildlife Reserve and Buffer Zone Human-2080 and of directives given to the Environment Ministry by the committee.     

On the occasion, Minister Shahi opined, "Activities are underway by making policy-level improvement gradually in order to reduce human-wildlife conflict and in utility of domestic timber. Some acts and regulations are in the process of being amended."     

Saying that most of the issues related to forest, environment and wildlife are incorporated in policies, programmes and budget of coming fiscal year, he assured of implementing the issues.     

Similarly, NA member Jagat Bahadur Parki drew the attention of Minister Shahi to stop the import of timber from different countries including Malaysia and Bangladesh making Nepal self-dependent on timber.     

Likewise, Uday Bahadur Bohara pointed out the need of resolving the problems between wildlife and farmers soon with priority monkey and wild boar have been making problems for farmers by eating and destroying planted by the farmers.     

Natayan Dutta Mishra urged the government to make appropriate management of forest fire and timber produced in the country.(RSS)