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No tree felling for 4 months, says govt
KATHMANDU, JUN 30 -
To control increasing deforestation across the country, the government has extended the ban on felling of trees across the country by two more months. Earlier, it had directed not to fell trees for two months.
The Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to impose ban for four months in the wake of rampant felling of trees in Tarai and inner-Tarai districts, said Government Spokesman Shankar Pokhrel on Wednesday.
The decision comes two weeks after the government imposed a ban on logging and cutting of trees inside forests across the country for two months. According to government data, 25 different forests in 15 districts suffered rampant deforestation and encroachment. Among the Tarai and inner-Tarai districts that saw uncontrolled deforestation are Kailali, Rautahat, Siraha, Bardiya, Bara, Nawalparasi and Rupandehi, among others. Under the Forest Regulation 1995, logging or any other activity inside forests is not allowed from mid-June to September.
Meanwhile, the cabinet meeting also decided to move ahead with further studies for the construction of the proposed Mechi-Mahakali electric railway at places including Attariya, Bhaluwang, Butwal, Madi, Pathlayia, Lahan, Koshi Barrage, Itahari and Kakarvitta. The concerned stakeholders will consult the district development committees for further action.
Meanwhile, the government decided to conduct further study on the Kathmandu-Pokhara railway. It has approved a grant worth Rs. 840 million by the Swiss government to Nepal for the construction of roads in rural parts of the country. The government has also decided to increase salary and perks of priests of religious sites based in Kathmandu including Ganesh, Kumari, Bhairabh temples by 25 percent.
The education expenses of the living Goddess Kumari will be borne by the state, the cabinet meeting decided.
Posted on: 2010-07-01 07:36
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