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Do Not Cut Aid
It is a sad thing that the donors have decided to cut down aid affecting the rural people directly ("COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Under Threat" SPOTLIGHT May 27). Although, they claim that such aid cut would pressurize the King to restore democracy, the rural people are facing the brunt of the aid cut. Community forestry is one of the few success stories in Nepal. It is very unfortunate that such programs are being affected by the aid cut by the donor agencies.
Min Prasad Sharma
Baneshwore
Convincing Argument
You have rightly analyzed the comments and activities of the people in the administration at present ("POLITICS: Game Of Romanticism" SPOTLIGHT May 27). It has been found that, despite the grave crisis the country is going through, the comments of some politicians both in public functions as well as in private meetings, is very ridiculous. Whenever addressing any function they do not forget to parrot the same old slogan that 'the royal move was a compulsive situation ensued by the corrupt behavior of the leaders'. After more than three months of the royal move, it is not necessary repeat the same version to defend the King's move time and again. Their job is to plan and implement policies to restore peace and give relief to the ailing people of the country. But, as Dr. Tulsi Giri has said, their concern does not seem to be to address the problems of the people, but to defend the King's moves. While it is true that people are in a state to 'wait and see' the activities of the present government, they will obviously come to the street once again if the people in the government do not make a U-turn and start 'business'. It might be possible to arrest and oppress the agitation launched 'only by the party workers', but it will not be possible to oppress an agitation when the people back them up.
Ramesh Dahal
Paknajole
Relevant Issue
You have raised a very important issue as the cover story this time ("COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Under Threat" SPOTLIGHT May 27). Given the mountainous and hilly terrain of the country, cultivation of agricultural crops is not very productive in most of the land of Nepal. However, such land is very for forests. In fact, a few decades ago, most of these lands were occupied by forest. However, with the increase in population and lack of environmental awareness, the trend of deforestation became rampant and the area of the forest-covered land reduced rapidly. Since last few years, through the community forestry program, the afforestation again has got momentum and now the area covered by the forest is not unsatisfactory. The media should cover such important issue that raises the concerns of general public regularly.
Saroj Khadka
Koteshwore
Increased Value
Apropos your cover story, I would like to put my opinion on the increased importance of forestation in the present context ("COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Under Threat" SPOTLIGHT May 27). Forest products did not have much value in the past. However, with the decreasing area of forest-covered land and increasing population, the value of forest products has shot up. For example, these days, wooden furniture are far more expensive than plastic or metal furniture. Likewise, the value of other products like medicinal herbs has also increased. With the change in situation people have started to become more aware of the importance of forest. By now, most people in the rural areas are convinced that growing forest is better than growing crops in many places. They have even begun the practice of growing forests in their private lands. As it is quite certain that the value of forest products will further increase, and that the terrains of Nepal are suitable for trees more than anything else, successful programs like the community forestry program should be replicated and the remaining barren lands should also be forested.
Sagun Bajracharya
Patan
Sense of Ownership
One thing that led the community forestry program to success is the people's direct participation in it ("COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Under Threat" SPOTLIGHT May 27). This program has given users a sense of ownership of the forests. Obviously, with the sense of ownership they tend to take more care of the forest. They are also more encouraged to take care of the forest because they can use the income generated from the forests. For the all round development of the country, the government should introduce such participatory programs that empowers the local people in other sectors as well.
Chandan Gurung
Pokhara
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