Save trees

Deforestation is continuing unabated throughout the country. Reportedly, massive felling of sal and pine trees is taking place in the inner Tarai and most of the forests in the hills for the purpose of export. One report released by National Vigilance Center on deforestation last month claimed that trees have been cut in at least 25 places in Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Bara, Rautahat, Kaski, Kapilvastu, Dang, Surkhet, Banke, Doti, Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura districts over the past one year. One shocking revelation made in the report was that a total of 2,750 hectares of forest land in Sagarnath in Sarlahi has now been reduced to a mere 50 hectares in just one year time. Even as the government imposed a two-month total ban on cutting trees, which was made effective from June 16, lately reports have emerged that trees were cut in Jhapa, Ilam and Morang districts. There are many more examples to prove that deforestation is actually happening and unlike the government’s claim it is now a real danger facing the country. Earlier, even the parliamentary committee had recommended the government to stop cutting trees throughout the country. But what has been happening renders the government decision futile and ineffective. Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation has been claiming that no new order has been issued to cut trees.



It is unfortunate that the government agencies have failed to implement the cabinet decision to ban cutting trees. Rather reports have alleged that massive tree cutting is taking place in association with District Forest Officers’ office and other local community forest authorities of late. News reports have even pointed finger directly at Forest Minister Deepak Bohara claiming that he has granted new licenses to contractors. In other cases, Timber Corporation or Department of Forest has been blamed for illegal and corrupt activities. It is urgent that the government take this rampant deforestation issue very seriously and make sure that no tree is cut in any jungle of Nepal at least until the government comes up with fresh orders. But as a permanent solution, the government must bring into force the much-talked about forest policy that the cabinet approved last month. The government, in consultation with major stakeholders in this sector, has already okayed a new national forestry policy. Such a policy will set guidelines and limitations on felling trees on the one hand, and on the other, it will strengthen the legal aspect of conservation initiatives of the government. Toward this end, the committee formed for drawing the policy must act at once as saving our forests and environment is now intrinsically linked to a strong national policy. At the same time, the security forces, especially the police, must be mobilized to break the criminal nexus that is involved in smuggling timber. The authorities concerned must demonstrate a strong will to stop deforestation before it is too late.

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