Doti community forest imposes Rs 50,000 fine for illegal tree cutting

Doti: A fine of Rs 50,000 has been imposed for cutting trees in the Sirad Community Forest of Jorayal Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 in Doti district. Local resident Bhakta Bahadur Pun Magar has paid the fine after eight trees of different sizes were found to have been cut from the community forest area.

The Division Forest Office, Doti, stated that although there were claims from locals that the community forest group chairman, Yogendra Gurung, had ordered the cutting of trees in collusion, this allegation was not substantiated. Divisional Forest Officer Gokul Rijal said that as eight trees of various sizes were found to have been cut, the community forest group collected a fine of Rs 50,000 in accordance with its statute and action plan.

Community forest group chairman Yogendra Gurung also stated that he had no involvement in the tree cutting. He clarified that the fine was collected from the individual responsible for cutting the trees.