Top Stories»
Forests may turn deserts: Report
KATHMANDU, JUN 20 -
The National Vigilance Centre (NVC) has warned that forestlands in Chure and Tarai regions of the country are likely to become deserts if the
government does not control forest degradation and deforestation.
A new report publicised by the NVC on Sunday said the involvement of District Forest Officials and other forest officials backed by different political parties is responsible for rampant deforestation and encroachment in 15 districts of the country.
Recently, NVC officials conducted field visits to forests across the country to investigate the alarming decrease in forest cover across the Tarai districts. Among the districts are Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Bara, Rautahat, Kaski, Dang, Surkhet, Banke, Kaski, Kapilvastu, Doti, Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura.
NVC Chairperson Tana Gautam said during field investigations they found that more than 25 forests were destroyed completely. NVC Spokesman, Sher Bahadur Dhungana said, “Deforestation in most forests is unstoppable and if the government fails to come up with strong action the forests will be completely lost in the next few years.”
According to recent data, more than 100,000 hectares of forests were destroyed this year including 88,000 hectares last year.
NVC has urged the authorities concerned to take stern action against officials involved in illegal activities inside forests.
The government should come up with effective strategies to control increasing illegal activities inside forests particularly in the Tarai districts.
Posted on: 2010-06-21 07:58
Headlines
Advertisements
