KATHMANDU: The government has planned to bring national forest policy by June 29.
The draft is being prepared aiming to bring the policy by June 29, according to Prem Narayan Kandel, chief and forest policy formulation coordinator of Planning Division of the Ministry of Forests and Environment.
The ministry is consulting with the provincial government and regional forest directorates to adopt the forest policy in federal structure. The discussion in the province 4 and 5 has been completed, said Kandel. “The discussion was held for avoiding contradiction with the central government policy and provincial policy. The discussion will be held in all seven provinces to bring their own separate policies.”
As part of encompassing the spirit of common rights ensured in the Constitution, the discussions are being held with held to collect input from the provinces to include in the policy.
The provinces recently brought budget and programs. After completion of discussion on it, we will go for policy making process, said Kandel. “The national policy will be formulated in the participation and suggestion of all including stakeholders, community and private sector, experts.”
Yadab Prasad Dhital, undersecretary of the ministry, who is involved in the policy making, said that it has been proposed that participation is necessary for protection. “The forest and environment concerns are being integrated after merge of the two ministries,” he said.
A forest policy was brought during the tenure of then forest minister Mahesh Basnet four years ago. “Now, it is being incorporated with three tiers of government,” said Kandel. “The policy is expected to address the issues of three levels.”
