The Division Forest Office of Syangja has produced 36,620 seedlings in the fiscal year 2079/80. The office has already distributed more than 22,000 indigenous species seedlings free of charge to local bodies, schools, and farmer groups. Forest Officer Rukmagat Subedi stated, “This year, we have prioritized indigenous species seedlings.”
The office, which usually distributes seedlings in the months of Asar and Saun, reported that most of the seedlings produced this year are indigenous species. Approximately 15,000 seedlings that remained from last year’s production are also being distributed during this year. According to Subedi, “Seedling distribution begins annually from the 15th of Asar and continues until the second week of Bhadra.”
By the end of Asar, 771 individuals had signed and collected seedlings from the office. The office distributes a variety of seedlings, including medicinal herbs, fruit trees, fodder grasses, and timber species. Divisional Forest Officer Navaraj Baral of Syangja mentioned that local bodies have started taking large volumes of seedlings to support campaigns aimed at greening highway and rural road margins.
The practice of planting medicinal and other indigenous species in school and government office premises is also increasing. Various groups and individual farmers have been requesting and taking seedlings of grasses and other useful plants, the office reported. The Forest Office continues its free seedling distribution program with the objectives of forest conservation, promoting greenery, maintaining environmental balance, and providing farmers with multipurpose seedlings.
