Forest basis of country’s prosperity: Forest Minister Basnet

KATHMANDU, March 19: Minister for Forests and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet has reiterated that the forest could be turned into the main basis for the country’s prosperity through its proper utilization.

He expressed this view while holding discussion with the media people at his official residence in Pulchowk on Monday.

The Minister said that the forestry sector held extensive and immense possibilities for the economic prosperity of the country.

“Together with the immense prospects the forest sector holds there is also the challenge of how to synchronize its conservation and utilization. Good governance should be the main condition in this connection,” he said.

The Minister for Forests and Environment also expressed the belief that the people’s needs could be fulfilled, employment generated and the national economy buttressed through the appropriate management of the forests with minimum investment.

“We can substitute the timber import and go for its export with the proper utilization and management of the forest sector,” he suggested.

He pointed out the need of policy and institutional-level restructuring for the management of the forests at the federal, province and local levels with the adoption of federalism in the country.

Minister Basnet expressed the commitment to move ahead by formulating an action plan for pursuing works related to forest management and environment conservation in the days ahead. RSS