Birgunj, August 20:

Maoists yesterday announced a ban on felling trees in forests in Bara and Rautahat districts from tomorrow. The announcement, made through a statement signed by the Maoist’s Bhojpuranchal deputy bureau head Mahendra Paswan Arvind, has warned people against entering the forests and felling of trees. Arvind conceded that the party had failed to stop its local cadres from destroying the forests.

Arvind expressed concern over the expanding settlement of landless people in the forest areas. Forest resources, also known as the nation’s assets, is fast declining, he said, adding that deforestation has resulted in calamities like soil erosion, landslides, drought and heavy downpour.

However, he said the villagers would be allowed to go into the forest without axe to collect firewood every Saturday. He has also drawn the attention of civil society, intellectuals, political parties and NGOs for controlling deforestation.

Earlier, the Maoists had abducted four rangers in the Prasa district forest office and released them on the condition that the timber smugglers detained by the office would be freed without any legal action.