Koshi govt working on policy to replace SFM

By Shashidhar Parajuli

Biratnagar, Nov 1 : The Koshi Province government is preparing to introduce a programme similar to the former Scientific Forest Management (SFM) system.

Since the federal government canceled the SFM programme, considered effective for forest development and regeneration, on January 23, 2021, forest management work across the country has remained stalled for five years. 

As a result, the supply of timber in the market has declined and the use of forest resources has also been affected.

To resume forest development and regeneration activities, the Koshi government is preparing to implement the Forest Management Procedure Directive 2025 (2082/83), based on the Forest Promotion System under the provincial law.

Dr. Indra Prasad Sapkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of Koshi Province, said that the approval of the Forest Management Procedure has been kept as a top priority and that the process is being expedited to endorse it within the month of Kartik (October/November).

He said, “There were some challenges in between, including the transfer of the previous secretary and the arrival of a new one, which caused some delay. But now we are not in favour of further deferral. We are working with high priority. We had sought feedback on the draft of the procedure and whether or not suggestions come, the directive will now be approved.”

Agni Paudel, leader of the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal, Koshi Province, said that after the cancellation of the previous SFM programme, the province has drafted a similar new law as an alternative, but it has not yet been approved for implementation.

He clarified that community forest users are opposed to the provision of logging under the block forest system (chakla ban concept). 

According to him, the government has restricted users from even collecting fallen trees in community forests while allowing logging, which has led to a reduction in timber production.

Paudel argued that government policy itself has reduced timber output, affecting the users as well.