Vice President advocates for developing forest-based entrepreneurship

Kathmandu, March 4: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has stressed the need for promoting entrepreneurship in the forest sector.

In his address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Nepal Foresters’ Association (NFA) today, the Vice President emphasized the development of forest-based entrepreneurship. The celebrations were held under the theme “Forest, Wildlife, and Watershed: Professional Solidarity, Basis for Prosperity.”

Highlighting the role of foresters in the conservation of forests and their sustainable utilization in Nepal, the Vice President urged them to contribute more to the further development of the forest sector. “The role of foresters has been acknowledged in mitigating the impact of climate change, ensuring the sustainable use of forest resources, and conserving the ecological ecosystem,” he said, adding that combined efforts are still needed for further achievements, including the realization of forest management goals.

He stressed the need to utilize forest products to achieve economic prosperity through policy reforms and the implementation of advanced technology. He also called for increased public awareness of the importance of forest and environmental conservation, as well as greater public participation in mitigating environmental losses and conserving biodiversity.

“Recently, water resources have been depleting in the Tarai/Madhesh, posing the risk of desertification in the region,” he warned, advising the Association to make substantive recommendations to the government to address the situation.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri emphasized that the role of foresters is vital in generating forest-based jobs through the proper development and conservation of forests. Expressing his concern over the growing human-wildlife conflict and the impacts of climate change, he echoed the need for broader collaboration among all concerned to mitigate these problems. He also pledged to initiate the process of forming the ‘Nepal Foresters’ Council’ soon.

NFA Chair Rakesh Karna spoke about the roles of the NFA in conserving and promoting forests and seeking their sustainable utilization.

Madhav Khadka, on behalf of the International Rangers Federation, Asia, extended best wishes for the success of the function.

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