Kathmandu, March 1

The Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and the International Wood Culture Society will be jointly organising the World Wood Day for the first time in Nepal.

World Wood Day is a cultural event held annually to highlight wood as an eco-friendly and renewable biomaterial and demonstrate the key role of wood in a sustainable future.

The first World Wood Day event took place in Tanzania in 2013 stressing on cultural approach to wood.The 2014 World Wood Day in China examined wood in a changing culture.

Renowned for its diversity both geographically and culturally, Nepal followed Turkey to hold the main international celebration of this year’s World Wood Day.

The 2016 World Wood Day themed ‘Nature and Culture’ will explore the interrelationship between nature and culture that influence the way people use wood in their daily lives, said the MoFSC.

International Union for Conservation of Nature is the secretariat for the event organising committee.

Specialists participating in 2016 WWD are expected to share their unique explanation of wood and with a focus on Nepal’s unique wood culture. According to IUCN, two more brand new concepts will be specifically introduced this year.

One is ‘Wood Design’, with a special focus on industrial and interior ideas for inspirations and practices, while the Wood Architecture project will see a tiered temple, pavilion and wood culture museum to be erected to both promote sustainable building material and convey its expression of culture.

Folk Art Workshop on the other hand would feature interactive programs such as exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops for visitors to learn the craftsmanship inherited from the past under different cultural contexts, said the IUCN.

A symposium has also been planned to encourage exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences derived from wood-related research, strategy and practice exploring peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

Focused topics are designed to raise awareness about current issues facing Nepal and the world, and to enhance multidisciplinary discussions for a sustainable future.