Gandaki Province earns Rs 1.135 billion from forest produce, medicinal herbs

GANDAKI, FEBRUARY 9: The Gandaki Provincial Government has collected Rs 1.135 billion in revenue from the sale of forest produce, medicinal plants, and herbs over the past seven years.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Forest and Environment, approximately 65,000 cubic feet of wood and 12,143 bundles of firewood have been sold from national and private forests during this period. Additionally, the ministry reported that 802,629 kg of medicinal plants and herbs have been collected.

Information Officer Rajesh Poudel stated that the collection of forest produce has generated over 2.5 million labor-days of employment. Community forest user groups earn millions of rupees annually from the production and collection of forest resources.

The ministry collects revenue from various sources, including the sale of wood, firewood, herbs, and contract-based sales. Poudel emphasized that expanding the commercial production of herbs and establishing more forest-based industries could significantly boost consumers' income.

Meanwhile, Prem Lamichhane, a central member of the Community Forest Users Federation, stressed the importance of utilizing vacant land within forest areas for cultivating fruits and medicinal herbs.

The ministry has also taken steps to protect and manage forest resources by organizing firewood collection and regulating the distance between forest-based industries and forested areas.

During this period, 10.3 hectares of encroached forest land have been reclaimed, 4,250 wild animals have been rescued, and Rs 96 million has been distributed to farmers affected by crop damage caused by wild animals.