Gandaki provincial government collects over Rs 1bn from forest produce sales in 7 years

GANDAKI: The provincial government of Gandaki has generated Rs 1.135 billion in revenue from the sale of forest produce, medicinal plants, and herbs over the past seven years.

According to data from the provincial Ministry of Forests and Environment, approximately 65,000 cubic feet of wood and 12,143 pieces of firewood have been sold from national and private forests during this period. Additionally, 802,629 kilograms of medicinal plants and herbs have been collected.

Rajesh Poudel, the ministry's Information Officer, reported that over 2.5 million labour days of employment have been created through the collection of forest produce. The community forest users group earns millions of rupees annually from the production and collection of forest produce and herbs.

The ministry has collected revenue from the sale of wood, firewood, herbs, and contract sales, among other sources. Poudel stated that expanding the commercial production of herbs and industries based on forest produce could further increase consumers' income.

Prem Lamichhane, central member of the Community Forest Users Federation, suggested that the state should focus on expanding the cultivation of fruits and herbs on vacant land in forest areas.

The ministry reported efforts to protect and utilise forest products, including arranging for the collection of firewood and determining the distance between forest-based industries and forest areas.

Over the past seven years, 10.3 hectares of forest encroachment have been controlled, 4,250 wild animals rescued, and Rs 96 million distributed to farmers who have suffered crop damage caused by wild animals.

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