Deforestation poses threat to wildlife

BENI: The existence of the wildlife is in danger, as deforestation is rampant in the upper belt in Myagdi district. A large number of trees have been fallen for medicinal herbs and other resources.

Ranger at the District Forest Office, Myagdi, Chandramani Sapkota said that the wildlife in the upper part of the district have migrated to other districts due to deforestation and increased human activities.

As per the Environment Conservation Act 2053, an Initial Environment Examination (IEE) should be carried out if more than five tonnes of herbs were collected and its impacts on wildlife should be disclosed.

The flora and fauna are on the verge of extinction due to lack of initiatives for forest conservation in high hills including Gurja, Lulang, Mudi and lower belt of Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Nilgiri, Mt Churen and Mt Gurja in Myagdi district.

Excessive use of firewood and wooden materials for housing has increased deforestation, according to Dev Bahadur Ghale, the Central Committee Member of Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN).