Kathmandu, July 8

Foresters have protested the government’s move to transfer forest management rights to the provincial level.

According to Nepal Foresters’ Association, foresters are holding several meetings with the concerned government authorities to revoke the decision.

General Secretary of NFA Bishnu Prasad Acharya said the government tried to dismantle forest-based organisational structures by limiting forest offices to provincial levels.

“We don’t have objection to go to all 744 local levels but our demand is that forest offices should be set up in local levels as well by changing the current provision,” he said.

An NFA delegation have met the concerned authorities to press them to ensure that local levels have full rights over the management of forests.

President of NFA Shekhar Kumar Yadav said they held separate meetings with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and High-level Administration Reforms Recommendation and Implementation Committee Chair Kashi Raj Dahal.

“Although the decision has moved to its implementation phase, the concerned authorities have said they would take steps to address the issue,” Yadav said.