Alternate For Firewood Must Be Given

The forest cover in Nepal has decreased dramatically over the years. This is indeed ominous news because it has given rise to worries about the future of our environment. There was a time when Nepal used to be known as a country rich in forest resources. It is known to all that people in the villages are still relying heavily on fuel wood to meet their energy demands. This is the reason why the sight of women folks carrying firewood in traditional baskets is very common in the suburbs of the city. Unless these women are given an option to stop exploiting the forest resources, stringent regulations alone will not help us find a solution to the problem. We need to see to it that we devise plans and programmes that address the energy demands of the women in the rural areas and the suburbs so that the forest cover is preserved for the sound health of the nation.

Bimal Subedi
Gatthaghar, Kathmandu