DHANGADI, APRIL 4
Timber felled under the Scientific Forest Management programme has started decaying in Kailali after the government banned its sale and distribution.
According to Forest Division Office, Kailali, more than 3,000 cubic feet of saal timber felled in 92 community forests is decaying due to the government ban.
Citing irregularity and haphazard tree felling, the government had halted the Scientific Forest Management programme. A large volume of timber is decaying in the forest.
Dharmananda Joshi of Kailali's Fulbari said they could not distribute the timber to consumers. According to Joshi, people have been deprived of timber required for building houses and large volume of timber is going waste in the forest.
"The government showed dual character by permitting to chop down the trees in the first place and then banning the sale and distribution of timber," added Joshi.
Forest users' committees are demanding that they be allowed to sell and distribute the timber.
Ram Janaki Community Forest Chair Jaya Nanda Bhatta said that the government should take responsibility for managing the timber.
Officer at Kailali Sub-division Forest Office Niranjan Kandel said that the government ban had led to smuggling of timber.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 5, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
