Forest Resources

Introduction to Forest Resources

Forest refers to a collection of natural vegetation, trees, and bushes. It is a major natural resource. Forests not only provide a basis for the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors but also indirectly contribute to water conservation.

​As of 2022, Nepal's forest area covered approximately 41.59% of the total land area, according to World Bank data. This marks an increase from previous decades, reflecting ongoing efforts in forest conservation and management. For instance, in 2010, the forest cover was reported at 39.09% of the country's geographical area. 

The establishment and expansion of community forestry programs have significantly contributed to this positive trend. It's important to note that while these figures indicate progress, continuous efforts are necessary to maintain and further improve forest conservation in Nepal.​

Various policy arrangements such as the Forest Policy, scientific forest management procedures, forest security plans, etc., have been implemented for forest conservation, and afforestation programs are ongoing, while the deforestation in the forest area has been decreasing. Forests in Nepal are classified in various ways. 

The vegetation of Nepal is divided into five categories based on the altitude and diversity of forests: tropical monsoon forest, subtropical evergreen forest, subtropical coniferous forest, temperate vegetation or grassland, and tundra vegetation.

Importance of Forest Resources

Forest resources are important from the economic, social, and environmental perspectives of Nepal's development. Forests are of great importance for keeping the environment clean, providing construction and daily fuel needs, and increasing the country's revenue. The importance of forest resources can be mentioned in the following points:

(a) Supply of Forest Products: Various types of firewood, timber, herbs, and other forest products can be obtained from forests. Even today, the country faces a shortage of traditional energy. The supply of firewood, which is a source of traditional energy, comes from forests. In the absence of forest resources, the regular supply of fuel cannot be ensured, which affects daily life. About 80% of the country's population meets its fuel needs from forests. Since useful herbs for the production of various medicines are also obtained from forests, its importance is very high.

(b) Prevention of Soil Erosion: Forests prevent soil erosion. The roots of trees hold the soil together, and the leaves prevent the direct impact of rainfall on the soil, so the loose topsoil is not washed away. This helps conserve the topsoil, preventing a decrease in agricultural production. Preventing soil erosion also reduces the problems of floods and landslides. This reduces soil erosion caused by water flow and wind, helping to maintain the fertility of the land.

(c) Clean Environment: Trees produce food through photosynthesis, a process that uses carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. This helps supply oxygen, which is essential for the respiration of humans and animals. Thus, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between humans, animals, and plants helps maintain environmental balance and cleanliness.

(d) Environmental Balance: Forests help mitigate potential natural disasters that can occur in the environment. They help control unexpected events, excessive rainfall, soil erosion, floods, landslides, desertification, etc., thereby contributing to maintaining environmental balance.

(e) Supply of Industrial Raw Materials: Raw materials required for various industries are obtained from forests. Forests provide various types of timber such as hardwood, sandalwood, sal, pine, and herbs. These items are used as raw materials for industries. Furniture industry, paper industry, herbal industry, etc., are examples of industries based on forests. Thus, forests can also be seen as a source of industrial raw materials.

(f) Source of Revenue: The government also earns revenue from forests. The government earns income by selling timber and firewood. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, the total revenue collection from the forest sector was 80 crore 24 lakh 40 thousand rupees. This includes income collected from tourists visiting protected areas in addition to forest products like timber, firewood, and herbs.

Causes of Deforestation

In Nepal, there has been significant deforestation in commercial quantities over the past few decades. The causes of forest resource depletion in Nepal can be mentioned as follows:

(a) Unplanned Settlement: In the Terai region of Nepal, individuals have been encroaching on forest areas illegally for housing and resettlement, leading to deforestation. Even at the government level, priority is given to resettlement programs in forest areas, resulting in continuous deforestation.

(b) Smuggling of Forest Products: Various types of timber and herbs found in forests are illegally cut down, collected, and distributed for sale, causing forests to be depleted. Although the government has tried to control the smuggling of forest products, smuggling is increasing day by day within the country and even abroad.

(c) Population Growth: Nepal has experienced rapid population growth. This has increased the demand for arable land and firewood. There has been unplanned deforestation for arable land. Similarly, the demand for timber for building houses has also been increasing. This is also a major reason for forest depletion.

(d) Fire: Due to lack of awareness and negligence, forests are often affected by accidental fires, leading to significant commercial destruction of forests. Especially during the summer, such fires cause forest destruction. Besides this, people also set fire to forests to grow new grass for grazing. This has also caused excessive forest destruction.

(e) Lack of Proper Management: Deforestation has also been caused by the lack of proper management of unplanned settlements in forest areas, smuggling of forest products, fires, alternative sources of fuel, and development construction works.

(f) Lack of Alternative Sources of Fuel: Due to the lack of alternative fuel sources such as adequate electricity and coal for the growing population of the country, forests have been depleted on a large scale. The trend of using electricity, biogas, and multi-fuel stoves for daily fuel and systematic cultivation of fodder in one's own fields can help stop the rate of deforestation.

(g) Development Construction Works: Forest areas have been continuously used for the construction of infrastructure necessary for the country's development, such as roads, bridges, hydropower projects, buildings, educational institutions, health institutions, electricity transmission lines, and other development works. This has also led to deforestation.

(h) Use as Raw Materials: Deforestation has also occurred due to the operation of small and cottage industries that require raw materials obtained from forests. For example, the bark used in making Nepali paper, timber for sawmills, catechu timber for the catechu industry, and various timbers for the furniture industry are obtained from forests as raw materials.

Measures for Forest Conservation and Promotion

Forest resources occupy an important place in Nepal's economic development. However, over the past few decades, forests have been declining due to increasing population, encroachment, smuggling of forest products, infrastructure development, administrative weakness, lack of public awareness, etc. This has not only adversely affected the daily lives of the people of the country but has also led to environmental degradation. 

Therefore, if forest resources are not conserved and promoted in time, the country will inevitably have to bear adverse long-term consequences. Although the government sector has made various efforts for the conservation and promotion of forest resources, the desired results have not been achieved. 

The following measures can be adopted for the conservation and promotion of forest resources in Nepal:

(a) Afforestation: Afforestation programs should be conducted on a large scale by the government, involving public participation, by establishing nurseries that are suitable for the climate and topography of different regions of the country. Arrangements should be made to protect the planted trees.

(b) Management of Alternative Sources of Fuel: A large portion of the country's population depends on forest areas for fuel. If adequate quantities of hydroelectricity, solar energy, diesel, multi-fuel stoves, and coal can be made available, the dependence on forest areas for fuel will gradually decrease, and the rate of deforestation will be checked.

(c) Public Awareness Campaign: Awareness programs should be conducted by government and non-government sectors about the consequences of deforestation and the problems that future generations will have to face due to rapid deforestation. Deforestation also occurs due to illiteracy in some cases. Therefore, if the citizens of the country can be given proper knowledge about the importance of forest resources in time, it will help in forest conservation and promotion.

(d) Control of Population Growth and Settlement: Increasing population, encroachment, and unplanned settlements have accelerated deforestation. If population growth can be controlled and settlements can be managed, the rate of deforestation can be checked effectively.

(e) Creation of Alternative Employment Opportunities: The members of some households in Nepal earn their livelihood by extracting and selling timber from forests. This has accelerated deforestation. To conserve forests, alternative employment opportunities should be created in other industrial sectors for people who are earning a living from forests, thereby gradually reducing dependence on forests and checking the rate of deforestation.

(f) Alternative Management of Forest Products in Construction Works: The increasing demand for forest-based construction materials has accelerated deforestation. Materials required for private and government buildings, bridges, road transport, various industries, etc., are obtained from forest areas. To reduce this dependence on forest areas, the use of other alternative materials such as stone, cement, bricks, iron, steel, plywood, plastics, etc., should be promoted. If this can be done, it will help in forest conservation.

(g) Soil Conservation and Flood Control: In Nepal, river erosion has caused landslides in some places, and the vegetation along riverbanks is being destroyed. This reduces the land area covered by forests. Therefore, riverbank protection or flood control can help control river erosion and to some extent, floods and landslides. If this can be done, it will help in the conservation and promotion of forest areas.

(h) Emphasis on the Establishment of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves: Since the establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves helps in the conservation and promotion of forests, their number and area should be increased. This will help in the conservation and promotion of forest areas.

(i) Other Policies and Programs: Policies and programs that are effective in forest conservation and promotion, based on public participation, should be formulated and implemented by the government. Community forestry programs, national and private forestry programs, conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity programs should be implemented effectively and transparently. Appropriate laws related to forest conservation should be formulated and enforced. Along with this, forest administration should be made more efficient and effective.