Charikot (Dolakha), Mar. 29:Forty-four per cent of the total land area of Dolakha district is covered by forest.

The sloping hills of the district which were bare only a few years ago are now turning lush green and the district headquarters of Charikot and other rural areas appear pleasant.

A survey carried out five years back had shown that 94,415 hectares out of the district’s total area of 214,000 hectares was covered by forest.

It is satisfying to note that almost half the total area of the district is now covered by forest as against only 29 per cent only a few years ago, according to district forest officer Laxman Gautam.

The district, which had almost transformed into a desert 20 to 25 years ago on account of illegal felling of trees, is turning green with the increase in the forest area, local people say.

The role of the community forests has been vital in the district as has that of the Swiss government and the district forest office.

The Swiss Government extended technical and financial cooperation from 1958 to 1990 for projects such as the Jiri Multi-Purpose Development Project and  the Intensive Hilly Area Development Project.

Likewise, cooperation was extended through the Dolakha Ramechhap Community Forestry Development Project from 2048-49 to 2052-53 Bikram Year, and cooperation being received for providing continuity to the community forest development programme from 2053-54 will continue up to the current fiscal year, it is learnt.

Various trainings, seminars and tour programmes have been organised for the sustainable development of forests and for raise the awareness of users about the protection and management of forests.

According to information received from the district forest office, 152 community forests have been handed over to forest users committees so far.

Altogether 20,l04 households have benefited from the community forests handed over.

Among the predominant tree species in the local forests are salla, sal, ranisalla, chilaune, banjh, katus, patesalla, dhinge salla, rhododendron, chimal, argeli and lokta.

It has been found that when community forests are handed to the users, it makes them feel that they themselves are the owners and they evince keen interest in the protection and promotion of the forests. This leads to a decrease in illegal tree felling.

The forest users are apparently utilising the money earned from the community forest for community development endeavours. This will help raise living standards and make the people better able to meet their requirements.

Eight ranger posts have been set up in the district so far for the development of community forests.