Kathmandu, August 25:

Experts, businessmen and government officials underlined the need for promoting agro- and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to combat poverty and uplift living standard in Karnali.

At an interaction organised today by Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC) at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), they said socio-economic development of the region could be enhanced through proper exploitation of the agro and NTFPs.

Dr Ram Prasad Chaudhary, member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) said lack of road transportation is the major impediment to the development of the Karnali region. “Though the region is rich in natural resources, lack of physical infrastructure as well as slow pace of other development process have been a setback for the overall development,” he said, adding that the government has given high-priority for the region’s development.

Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI underscored the need for an integrated approach of the government, private sector and locals to reap benefits from the abundant natural resources like agro-based and her-bal products. “The Karnali region’s rich bio-diversity holds a huge potential for tourism, which is still a virgin,” he said. On the occasion, the representatives of the Karnali region demanded to revoke syndicate system in air transport, address the problems faced for the commercialisation and promotion of agro-based products. They also suggested to form special core gro-ups to identify problems.