The United Nations has urged prioritizing forest management by linking forests with national economic development and employment growth. In Nepal, forests cover 46 percent of the total land area, yet their contribution to the country’s GDP is only 2 percent, and forest products fall short of meeting domestic timber demand. Through scientific forest management, it is possible to produce 150 to 350 million cubic feet of timber annually and create one million permanent jobs.
As American President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “Our nature and trees must be given respect equal to that of human beings.” His words underscore that sustainable conservation and restoration of nature and forests should be a top priority for all countries.
Traditional economics considers forest products primarily as timber or wood, but forests also provide other environmental goods and services that significantly contribute to the economy. Presently, the market value of these environmental goods and services is increasingly being included in GDP calculations. According to United Nations statistics, the world has 4.1 billion hectares of forest area, comprising 32 percent of total land area. However, tropical forests are highly threatened due to deforestation. Since forest areas provide vital social services such as food production, water supply, climate stability, and carbon sequestration, expanding forest cover in the public interest is essential.
Nepal has significant potential for timber production from species like Sal, Pine, Sissoo, Khair, and Asna, yet the current annual timber output is only 20 million cubic feet, insufficient to meet domestic demand. With scientific and intensive forest management, annual timber production could increase to between 150 and 350 million cubic feet and create one million permanent jobs. This could contribute at least 15 percent to the national GDP. The current government’s policy appears new, transformative, and production-oriented, and it is expected to fully support the bio-economy.
(Author: Ghimire – Expert in Forestry, Environment, Climate, and Environmentally Friendly Development)
