He inaugurated the function by watering the plants of camphor, pine, red sandalwood and candy.
More than 700 representatives from 17 districts are taking part in the three-day convention. There are around 20,000 community forests in Nepal.
On the occasion, Yadav said the success of Nepal´s own model of community forest has made Nepali people proud. He hailed the role of local people in conserving community forests.
While noting that more than three fourth of Nepalis depend on agriculture, he said conservation of forests has helped control soil erosion and maintain ecosystem as well as preserve water sources.
"Our past experience has taught us that the change of power and transition has led to destruction of forest resources," he said, adding, that reports of continued encroachment and deforestation are a maters to be worried about.
"It is our responsibility to conserve forests, water sources and other natural resources as they are our gifts to the future generation," Dr Yadav said. The 20,000 community forests of the country have greatly contributed to preserve ecosystem, he said.
Urging the Federation to remain vigilant on the possibility of intrusion of people with ill intention in the forest users´ groups that could lead to forest destruction, he said, "If we fail to save forests from harm, we can neither protect farmers nor environment."
Member of National Planning Commission Ram Kumar Sharma said more than 10 million people of 1.7 million households have been benefited from community forests.
Federation Chairman Ghanashyam Pandey said vast swaths of forest area were destroyed during the times of political transition. "If the remaining government-managed forests are not handed over to locals, then they would also meet the same fate," he said.
The Federation is an umbrella organization of more than 5,000 active forest users´ groups.
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