Concerns raised over ineffective use of forest resources under Provincial Forest Act

By Prakash Bikram Shah,Dhangadhi, Oct. 16: Stakeholders of Sudurpashchim Province have criticised the Provincial Forest Act, 2077, arguing that its strong conservation focus has weakened provisions for the proper utilisation of forest resources. 

Speaking at a programme organised here on Monday, forest conservationists and local representatives highlighted multiple challenges and obstacles in implementing the Act effectively.

During the province’s first-ever legislative review of the Forest Act held in Dhangadhi on Monday, members of the Provincial Assembly, local officials, and forest conservationists expressed concerns that billions worth of forest resources are going to waste due to the government’s failure to issue implementing regulations.

Former forest minister of the province Ramesh Singh Dhami said that although the amendment process for the Act is ongoing, pressure from various interest groups has delayed the government from finalising the procedural guidelines. 

He further criticised the Federal Forest Act, claiming that flawed provisions force the country to import timber at double the cost while domestic forest resources remain underutilised.

Dharmaraj Pathak, chairperson of the social development committee, highlighted problems in the allocation of forest-related rights. “Under the Federal Forest Act, trees belong to the province, soil to the federal government and leaves and branches to the community forest; this fragmented system is problematic,” he said. 

He called for a policy that balances the sustainable use of forest resources for current prosperity while preserving them for future generations.

Bikram Singh Dhami, a member of the Public Accounts Committee of the parliament, criticised the Ministry of Forest of the province as the “most notorious” and urged forest consumers to put pressure on the government. 

He claimed that the provincial administration continues to allocate valuable timber to a limited number of traders.

Shiva Singh Oli, a member of the Finance and Natural Resources Committee of the provincial parliament, noted that while the constitution grants provinces authority over forests, federal laws attempt to centralise control, often altering or cancelling forest programmes without proper evaluation.

During the review, advocate Kulananda Upadhyay observed that the Provincial Forest Act has not had many positive impacts. 

He emphasised the need for a thorough legislative review and recommended greater focus during the pre-drafting stage.

Participants highlighted that the absence of procedural guidelines under the Act has caused issues in forest collection, sale, distribution, and utilisation. 

Conservationists Dandiraj Subedi, Yadav Prasad Bhandari, Om Prakash Sapkota, Gauridevi Lama, along with Dhangadhi Municipality members Chakra Nepali, Punaram Chaudhary and Krishna Paneru, shared challenges faced during the Act’s implementation.