Though the government has made mandatory provision for Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for registering a community forest users group, the rule has not been implemented.
There is the provision it is necessary to do IEE while handing over a forest area between 500-700 hectares to a national forest, and EIA is required for handing over a forest area exceeding 750 hectares. However, the rule has not been implemented as the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), the umbrella body of forest users, has been objecting to provision from the very beginning.
The community forest users group can be registered and renewed according to Forest Act 2049. But the then Forest Minister, on the recommendation of the Forest Ministry, introduced the provision for IEE and EIA in 2068 BS.
“We are trying our best to conserve the forest and environment, and banned felling of trees,” said Thakur Bhandari, secretary of FECOFUN. “Is it necessary to do IEE and EIA since we are working hard for environmental protection?” he questioned. “We can’t accept this rule as we are not a hydropower or any other project,” he said.
He took exception to the government move to halt the renewal of many community forest users group.
Spokesperson at the Ministry of Forest and Environment Sindh Prasad Dhungana said the rule pertaining to the registration and renewal of community forest should be followed in letter and spirit.
Adding that it is mandatory to do IEE and EIA while making the National Park, and Watershed Protection Area, Dhungana said, “It is not unusual to implement the rule for community forest.”
