Kathmandu, January 28
The government has decided to discontinue the Scientific Forest Management programme, which had turned controversial of late.
Last year, a parliamentary committee had concluded that the programme, ironically, was promoting deforestation across the country. Stakeholders had also demanded an alternative model highlighting its inefficiency.
A recent cabinet meeting, therefore, decided to scrap the programme, informed Forests and Environment Minister Prem Bahadur Ale during a press briefing on Wednesday. The minister also informed that the government would soon launch a new forest conservation programme focusing on sustainable forest management.
Ale also informed provincial authorities would monitor the status of forests and take action against the wrongdoers now onwards.
In another context, Ale said the government would not fell trees for the construction of the proposed Nijgadh International Airport until an investment modality is finalised.
Likewise, he claimed the government was preparing to provide firewood required for the cremation purpose at Pashupati Aryaghat, perhaps the busiest cremation site of Hindus in the country, free of cost.
