Prosperity through forest stressed by stakeholders

Kathmandu, Oct 29: Stakeholders have argued that once the country manages forests well, it could ensure at least Rs 100 billion in revenue.

The speakers at a program organized by the Green Foundation in the federal capital, Kathmandu, expressed the belief that forest management helps pave the way for economic prosperity. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment and Chief of the REDD Implementation Centre, Nabaraj Pudashaini, underlined the need for effective enforcement of the standard for sustainable management of forests.

“Although Nepal is known for its richness in forests, we’ve not been able to capitalize on this resource,” he regretted, adding that economic prosperity through employment generation could be guaranteed with sustainable forest management. Former chairman of the Federation of Community Forest User Groups Nepal (FECOFUN), Bharati Pathak, said women’s rights to natural resources must be guaranteed.

Sustainable forest management contributes to gross domestic products. “Standards on sustainable forest management need immediate enforcement,” she stressed. Former forest secretary Dr. Swayambhu Man Amatya viewed the promotion of agroforestry as related to sustainable forest management.

According to expert on natural resources, Dr. Ganga Ram Dahal, sustainable forest management could not be ensured in the absence of women and indigenous nationalities’ rights to natural resources. —RSS