POKHARA:President Dr Ram Baran Yadav said that violence and anarchy should not get place in a democratic system. In his inaugural speech during the International Symposium of Community Forest here in Pokhara today, President Yadav said the Nepali people were facing challenges due to the hostile environment while moving ahead for drafting new statute.

The President appealed to all to be united for the sustainable peace, social welfare and economic development of the country.

“We have to write democratic constitution not only for indigenous people and backward communities, but also for all the people living across the country,” he said. Urging not to be hopeless seeing the present volatile situation, he said that the country’s future was bright.

He said sustainable

development of the country was possible only if

the people had direct participation in the development process.

The president also claimed that Nepal had been a model for community forest management in the world. “The people living in the rural areas should be benefited from the community forests,” he said.

“Due attention should be given for appropriate utilisation of natural resources for the benefit of local residents,” Yadav said.

The president also said Nepal was ready to join hands with the international community for the preservation of forests so as to save the environment.

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Dipak Bohara, praised contribution of various community forests groups in the country for their exemplary role in managing and preserving forests.