Kathmandu, May 10: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli vowed checking the felling of Saal trees in the name of scientific forest management.
Addressing the second National Forest Promotion seminar organized by the Ministry of Forest and Environment here today, PM Oli acknowledged the importance of Saal trees for causing rainfall. Saal trees should not be used for commercial purpose until these trees are mature, he reminded.
The PM reaffirmed the incumbent government’s commitment towards forest conversation and capitalizing on the forest resources for the greater good of the earth. He opined that we should now focus on production rather than expanding forest coverage.
Moreover, the Head of the Government called for adopting a policy that emphasizes prudent usage of forest produces for commercial purpose as well as strengthens forest and converts shrubs into dense forest.
Oli suggested officers at agriculture and forest offices could work in unison to promote commercial farming fruits. He underscored mutual cooperation and collaboration for forest conservation and ensuring economic gains from cultivation of fruits and herbal plants.
Encouraging farmers for animal husbandry would promote forests’ regeneration and would contribute to increasing in wildlife’s population, he said, adding that it further contributes to the conservation of both forest and agricultural ecosystem.
PM Oli expressed concern over misinterpretation of his statement, ‘Now, there is no need to increase tiger’s population’, dubbing him of speaking against conservation.
However, Oli took pride in Nepal’s achievement in tiger conservation efforts and expanding forest coverage which stands at 46 per cent at present. “We have protected tigers by more than double than the international pledge we had made. The environment conservation effort is in the interest of human. If mankind itself is unsafe, the environment can’t not be conserved,” he remarked.
Noting that there were some countries that did not ratify the Paris Agreement, the PM saw the importance of global efforts in protecting the earth and ecology.
On a different note, he mentioned that Nepal is going to organize the ‘Sagarmatha Sambad’ for the first time at the level of international diplomatic forum to coordinate global efforts for climate action. The event is slated coming May 16-18 in Kathmandu.#nepal #political #rss
