Minister for Forest and Environment Pradip Yadav has committed to making the country self-reliant in timber and wood products while working to enhance the production of timber through the sustainable management of the forests.
At a programme organised by the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) on "Good-Governance and Prosperity, Enterprise and Entrepreneur in Community Forest" on the occasion of the Community Forestry Day on Tuesday, Minister Yadav said the import of foreign timber would be discouraged in Nepal.
He said that the activities carried out by the community forests have contributed to the conservation of watershed areas, wild animals' habitats, and bio-diversity while controlling soil erosion.
Minister Yadav also shared that the livelihood of poor and underprivileged communities has been uplifted due to community forest while adding that other communities have been brought into the mainstream of society.
He opined that the demands and necessities of forest produces for the traditional users of forest including Madhesi, Dalits, indigenous nationalities and Muslims should be fulfilled with the priorities adding that currently they are deprived of forest areas due to many reasons.
Minister Yadav also underscored the need for further efforts to meet the demand for timber, firewood and other forest products from the users in the Terai Madhes area.
On the occasion, Minister Yadav termed Nepal's community forestry programme as a model in the world while pledging to implement it in a centralized, autonomous and effective manner.
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