KATHMANDU, JUNE 16

Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, has reiterated the government's commitment to effectively implementing the Chure-Terai-Madhesh Conservation and Management Master Plan to safeguard the livelihoods of communities reliant on the Chure region.

Speaking at a programme in Kawasoti to mark the 11th Chure Conservation Day, Minister Shahi urged all stakeholders to actively support Chure conservation efforts.

The Chure range, which stretches across 37 districts from Ilam to Kanchanpur and covers 12.78 percent of Nepal's land area, is ecologically fragile and a crucial water recharge zone for the Terai-Madhesh. It also supports rich biodiversity and rare wildlife species.

Highlighting its ecological and socio-economic importance, the Minister noted that over half of Nepal's population depends on the Chure region and the natural resources it provides.

To address increasing human and environmental pressures, the government launched the President Chure Conservation Programme in 2066/67 BS, followed by the establishment of the President Chure-Terai-Madhesh Conservation Development Board on Asar 2, 2071 BS (June 16, 2014).

Minister Shahi emphasized the need for broad public participation and coordinated efforts among all tiers of government, local communities, and stakeholders. He also noted that policy and legal frameworks are being strengthened to support conservation goals.

As part of the celebration, a plantation drive was launched with a target of planting 10,000 saplings of various species to aid in ecosystem restoration.