The government has allowed unregistered private forest owners to cut trees and sell forest products without the approval of the concerned authorities.

The fifth amendment of the Forest Regulation Act 1995 endorsed by the government last week states that the private forest owners do not require permission from the forest authorities to cut and sell the trees and non-timber forest products.

Before the amendment was formulated, private forest owners were required to obtain permit from the District Forest Office (DFO) or the Area Forest Office to

cut down trees on their properties.

The government decision applies to fruit trees like Mango, Litchi, Guava, China berry tree, Tamarind, Neem, Siso, Lapsi, Kavro, Kadam, Tuni, Tik, Goldmohor, Babur, Epil Epil, Laharepipal, Birendraphool and Haluwabed; medicinal plants like Reetha, Lapsi, Rudraksh, Amala, Bodhifal, Chiuri, Timur, Tejpath, Chiraito, Kurilo, Siltimur and Bel; and non-timber forest products like Broom grass and Bamboo.

“This is a positive decision that encourages private owners to grow trees and manage forests for sustainable use,” said Resham Dangi, director general at Department of Forests.

In the recent years, the government has been working towards sustainable forest management approach that incorporates conservation as well as utilisation of the forest products for the benefit of the biodiversity as well as the people dependent on these resources.

The scientific forest management practice implemented in some community forests in the country is trying to encourage forest productivity through effective forest management tools and techniques, including sustainable use of forest resources.