Minister for Forest and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet has said forest management measures have been adopted in such a way so that its conservation and proper use could go simultaneously.
Inaugurating the 19th general assembly of Federation of Forest Based Industry and Trade Nepal here Friday, the minister said the new forest policy aimed to take the conservation efforts and its use together as forest remained as a productive sector.
Stating that the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, he pledged to work together with private sector and community for the conservation of forest and its utility. "The government has adopted the policy to promote private sector and forest-based enterprise to make the country self-reliant on timber product."
It may be noted that despite efforts to make the country self-sufficient on timber products, the limited availability of domestic product and it high price forced the country to import timber worth Rs 5.75 billion during last fiscal year.
Lawmaker Parbat Gurung and National Planning Commission’s member Dr Krishna Prasad Oli underlined the need of use of a new technology to introduce diversification in timber production.
Forest Secretary Dr Bishwanath Oli said the timber production remained government's priority as per its goal to discourage its import.
Secretary at the Ministry Dr Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Federation president Shyam Sundar Dhakal and Federation of Community Forestry User’s Nepal chair Bharati Pathak spoke of challenges in the forest-based industries and suggested ways for their solution.
On the occasion, Joint Secretary Dhungana was awarded the 'Forest Management and Enterprise Promotion National Award' and Pragati Dhakal of Nagarik Daily's received the 'Forest-Based Enterprise Journalism Award'.
