Report on causes of deforestation

Title page

                          REPORT

  CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION IN THE HILLY REGIONS OF NEPAL

Submitted to:
The Director General
Department of Forests, Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Submitted by:
Er. Kamal Poudel
Environmental Researcher
Central Department of Environmental Science

28 February 2027

Acknowledgement

I express my sincere thanks to the Department of Forests for giving me the opportunity to carry out this study. I am grateful to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Mina Shrestha, for her guidance and suggestions, and to the officials of the District Forest Offices of Kavre, Dhading and Gorkha for providing data. I also thank the members of community forest user groups and the villagers who patiently answered my questions during the field work. Finally, I thank my colleagues and family for their support.

Kamal Poudel

Abstract

Forests cover about 45 percent of Nepal, but forest quality in the hills has declined in many areas. This report examines the causes of deforestation in three hill districts: Kavre, Dhading and Gorkha. The study used a household survey of 240 families, interviews with forest officials, and satellite images and records of the last 15 years. The main causes were found to be firewood and fodder collection, expansion of farmland and settlement, road construction without proper planning, forest fires, illegal logging and grazing. Poverty, population pressure, and weak enforcement lie behind these causes. Where community forest groups are active, forest cover has increased, which shows that people's participation works. The report recommends community-based management, alternative energy, better planning of roads, fire control, plantation and strict enforcement.

Recommendations

1. Strengthen community forestry: support the user groups with training, funds and market access for forest products.
2. Provide alternative energy: promote biogas, improved cooking stoves and LPG or electric cooking in the hills to reduce dependence on firewood.
3. Plan roads carefully: require environmental assessments for new roads and do slope protection and re-planting.
4. Control fires: form fire watch groups, make fire lines, and educate people before the dry season.
5. Enforce laws: form a quick response team against illegal logging, and use GPS and satellite monitoring.
6. Increase fodder and grazing management: encourage stall feeding and fodder trees on private land.
7. Create income opportunities: support non-timber products such as herbs, bamboo and eco-tourism.
8. Plant and protect: replant degraded land with native species, with care of the saplings for at least three years.
9. Raise awareness: include forest education in schools and use radio programmes.
10. Continue research: make a forest data system, updated every year.