Government to Turn Forests and Natural Resources into Base for Green Industrialisation

Kathmandu — The government will take forests and natural resources beyond the narrow scope of conservation and turn them into a base for green industrialisation, job creation, and import substitution, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle announced through the budget.

Wagle said the government will promote sustainable timber production, forest-based industries, the processing of herbs and non-timber forest products, and green enterprises.

To enhance the competitiveness of the domestic timber industry, the Finance Minister said the sale price of raw timber collected during development and construction work will be reviewed.

He said the permit system for the felling, collection, transport, and distribution of forest products will be transformed into a fully digital, single-window system to remove procedural hassles.

Wagle said community forest user groups will be given greater autonomy in production, processing, branding, and running enterprises. He added that inconsistencies among the laws and policies relating to forests, environment, industry, energy, and infrastructure will be removed.

Finally, the Finance Minister said the carbon stock, ecosystem services, and natural capital of the forest sector will be economically valued and incorporated into the budget and planning system.