Forest conservation areas in Sudurpaschim face neglect due to absence of updated action plans

Ghodaghodi: Although legal and policy arrangements have been made at both federal and provincial levels with the aim of making forest management more systematic, accountable and effective after the implementation of federalism in the country, conservation areas have not been as active and result-oriented as expected in implementation.

The Basanta Forest Conservation Area in Kailali of Sudurpaschim Province and the Laljhadi-Mohana Forest Conservation Area in Kanchanpur can be taken as representative examples of this situation.

Both areas, which were formally declared forest conservation areas on Falgun 15, 2068 BS, cover an area of about 98,643 hectares. Located along the Nepal–India border, these areas are recognized as important biological corridors for wildlife movement. The Basanta Forest plays a significant role in maintaining ecological balance between the Terai and Chure regions and strengthening connectivity with India’s Dudhwa National Park, thereby supporting the movement and habitat conservation of rare and endangered wildlife.

The provincial government has proposed five additional proposed forest conservation areas: Mahabharat region of Dadeldhura, Gwalek Kedar and Singas in Baitadi, Ramaroshan in Achham and Tele Lek in Doti. These areas cover a total of about 83,561 hectares and are expected to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism promotion in the province.

Areas considered environmentally, ecologically, scientifically or culturally important from national and international perspectives—especially those sensitive in terms of watershed conservation—are designated for conservation and management, including forests, flora and wildlife outside protected areas.

The objective is to maintain balance between conservation and development while promoting participatory management of local communities.

However, even after 15 years of declaration, action plans, which are considered the basic management tool, have not been updated on time. Although such plans should be renewed every five years as per rules and should have been updated in 2073 BS, the process has not yet been completed. The absence of updated action plans has directly affected conservation activities, budget management, community participation, and long-term strategic implementation. It has also reduced the effectiveness of the forest conservation sector and raised concerns over coordination and accountability among relevant agencies.

With more than 46 percent of the country covered by forests, their conservation, proper utilization and sustainable management have become national priorities. The Forest Act 2076 BS has included the forest conservation sector as an important structural measure among different forest management systems. Nepal’s forest sector is a key foundation for biodiversity conservation, environmental balance and the livelihoods of local communities.

Laws exist, but implementation remains uncertain
The federal and Sudurpaschim provincial Forest Acts and Regulations contain separate and conflicting provisions regarding dual responsibility in managing forest conservation areas. According to the Federal Forest Regulation, 2079, the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation prepares the action plan and has it approved by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, while the Divisional Forest Officer implements it. However, the Sudurpaschim Province Forest Act, 2077 has prescribed a different process.

Under provincial regulation, the Divisional Forest Office prepares the action plan, which is approved by the Provincial Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment on the recommendation of the Forest Directorate, and then implemented by the Divisional Forest Officer. Janak Padhya, Divisional Forest Officer at the Division Forest Office, Pahalmanpur, said there is confusion in preparing and approving the action plan due to differing provisions in federal and provincial laws. He said the initial action plan for Basanta Forest Conservation Area was prepared and approved by the Forest Department. “The previous action plan was prepared by the Forest Department, now there is confusion as to who will prepare it under the new legal system,” he said.

Delay in action plans affecting forest conservation
The action plan provides the framework for conservation activities, budget allocation, human resource mobilization and implementation in forest conservation areas. However, the action plans of Basanta Forest Conservation Area in Kailali and Laljhadi-Mohana Forest Conservation Area in Kanchanpur have not been renewed. The lack of updated plans has reduced the effectiveness of conservation areas declared by the federal government.

Divisional Forest Officer Laxmi Raj Joshi of the Division Forest Office, Kanchanpur said preparations are being made to renew the action plan in the coming fiscal year. Another major challenge has been the lack of required budget for operating conservation areas. According to Bharat Shah, Member Secretary and Senior Forest Officer of Laljhadi-Mohana Forest Conservation Area, no budget was allocated for the area in the current fiscal year.

Although forest patrols, biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, public awareness programs and community participation activities should be conducted under the action plan, these activities have become difficult to implement regularly due to budget constraints. “The conservation area seems to exist only in name,” Shah said. “We are conducting only the necessary conservation activities.”

In the current fiscal year, the federal government has allocated only Rs 3.5 million for the conservation of Basanta forest in Kailali.

The Forest Conservation Area Council has been carrying out conservation activities in coordination with various stakeholders, said Pushkal Bahadur Bam, Chairman of the Basanta Forest Council. He said efforts are underway to increase community participation, raise public awareness and focus on wildlife conservation.

Coordination had been carried out with the “Water, Forest and Land” project for preparing the action plan. However, after the project ended, the preparation process stalled midway, Bam said. “The action plan needs to be approved quickly to make the council more effective,” he said.

Provincial Forest Director Hemraj Bista said conservation activities have been ineffective due to delays in preparing and renewing action plans. He informed that preparations have been made with support from international partners for renewing the Laljhadi-Mohana action plan, and while stakeholder presentations and necessary procedures have been completed, approval is still in its final stage.

He also said that although the Basanta area plan was prepared and sent to the center, there has been no clear update regarding approval.

According to him, confusion between federal and provincial authorities over approval rights has further delayed the process. He said the lack of approved action plans has resulted in insufficient budget, programs and manpower, preventing conservation areas from being managed as intended.

Director Bista also noted weak community participation as another challenge. He said the perception that conservation areas are solely government responsibility has reduced local engagement, increased pressure on community forests, and weakened expected protection outcomes. Although conservation areas aim to preserve biodiversity, maintain ecological balance and promote eco-tourism, these objectives have not been achieved due to lack of resources and programs.

While efforts have been made to form conservation councils involving various agencies and communities, they remain ineffective due to absence of action plans and budgets. Bista stressed that timely approval of action plans is the first step toward resolving these issues and called for clearer division of authority between federal and provincial governments.

Rural facilitators supporting conservation
Rural facilitators have been mobilized to ensure active community participation in forest conservation areas. Currently, seven rural facilitators are working in the Basanta Forest Conservation Area, directly engaging with communities to raise awareness on conservation. They visit villages, provide information on forest importance, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, conduct discussions and promote participation in conservation programs.

Gyanu Chaudhary, a rural facilitator working at Sukhad Sub-Division Forest Office under Basanta, said, “People are gradually starting to participate in conservation.” Tharu singer Maniram Chaudhary, working under Udasipur Sub-Division Forest Office, uses songs to spread conservation messages in awareness programs. He said songs in the local language help communities understand messages quickly and effectively.

According to rural facilitator Mahesh Chaudhary, conservation programs are beginning to bring positive changes in local communities, with growing interest in forest protection and some reduction in illegal exploitation and damage. He emphasized the need for more community-linked programs to make conservation more effective.