Locals protest Administrator’s decision to clear forest

October 6, 2005
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Local people protested the decision of the regional administrator of eastern region Jagadish Khadka and Koshi zonal administrator Rana Bahadur Chand to clear the forest of 100 meters both sides of the highway in Charkoshe forest area in the name of clearing the area of bushes.

After the decision, the bushes of both sides of the highway from Itahari to Damak of Jhapa district and Tarahara to Dharan will be cleared.

Though the Administrators have said that five thousand rupees each will be given to more than three dozen community forest consumers’ groups of Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari, the groups protested the decision saying they were getting more benefits from the forest area.

The Kantipur daily quoted Indra Bahadur Baniya, chief of community forest consumers’ group as saying that they are rather ready to die then implementing the decision of the administrators.

Chairman of the Community Forest Consumers’ Federation Ganesh Guragain charged the government for plotting to clear forest in the name of clearing bushes and warned of strong protest if the decision is not revoked.

After the order of the Administrators, the Area Police Office and Forest Offices of Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa made corresponded with the community forest groups to clear the bushes citing the security situation.

The King had nominated regional and zonal administrators to look after the administrative works after the Royal takeover of February 1.