Kathmandu, February 19

A three-day first national silviculture workshop began here today to identify and analyse evidence based silviculture practices piloted and implemented in various forest types by government and non-government organisations.

Altogether 150 participants, including 10 foreigners, are attending the workshop.

Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Shankar Prasad Bhandari inaugurated the workshop by watering a Michelia champcta plant. Speaking at the event, he stressed on increasing forest products by adopting scientific and sustainable forest management practices.

Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Prakash Mathema, member of National Planning Commission Prabhu Budathoki, Director General of Department of Forests Krishna Prasad Acharya, director generals of departments under forest ministry, and subordinate bodies also attended the programme.

The workshop focuses on evidence-based presentations under different themes relevant to the management of various types of forests in Nepal. Key note speakers will present their opinions based on thematic presentations highlighting wider perspective. Group and plenary discussions are part of the workshop aimed at developing appropriate silviculture prescriptions based on specific forest types and identifying solutions for legal and institutional issues.

According to Director General of the department Krishna Prasad Acharya, the workshop would help create common understanding among participants on appropriate silviculture prescriptions for different types of forests.

The forest resource assessment report 2014 shows five per cent increment of forests in 20 year’s time from 1990 in Nepal. Despite this increment, there has not been much improvement in the quality and productivity of the forestland mainly due to the subsistence forest management practices.

As a result, the full potential of forests could not be harnessed. In the past, several silviculture practices were demonstrated on various types. However, these practices could not be scaled up due to differences on understanding on the importance of silvicultural interventions.