Nepal Forest Users Slam Logging Ban
12/9/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: NEPAL Forest Users Slam Logging Ban
Source: Environment News Service, http://www.ens.lycos.com/
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: December 9, 1999
KATHMANDU, Nepal, December 9, 1999 (ENS) - Nepal community
forest users are protesting a recent government decision to suspend
all logging, saying the move will harm the country's economy, reports
the Kathmandu Post.
Ministry of Forest and Conservation officials issued the directive to
introduce a new system of better management of the community forest
sector, spokesman Sri Niwas Khanal said.
Other sources contend the government is trying to stop a market
Monopoly by community forestry user groups, who reportedly are
felling timber products such as saal woods at lower prices than those
fixed by the government.
Hari Prasad, chairman of the Federation of Community Forest Users
(FCFU), said the decision is unlawful. The federation is demanding
the government withdraw its decision to help restore community
prosperity.
"The move has not only made everybody suspicious about community
forests, but all the community-based development programs, income
and employment generating activities have been obstructed," advised
a FCFU statement issued November 30.
Community forests account for about 60 percent of the country's total
forest cover. The government has so far handed over about 700,000
hectares of forest areas to approximately 9,000 users groups across
he country.