PLANTATION DRIVE- BHUTAN

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forest had planted over 30,000 saplings of species Jasminum, Forsythia, Certostigma and Hypericum in Thimpu-Babesa expressway divider, western central Bhutan. About 520 staff had participated in the hedge plantation programme. Likewise, many plantation activities are being carried out this year under the Green Bhutan Programme.

July 25

http://www.kuenselonline.com/30000-saplings-planted-along-the-expressway/ Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence ……www. resourceshimalaya.org 5

COLLABORATIVE FOREST SUCCESS - Nepal

The Lumbini collaborative forest in mid western Nepal spread over 1,321 ha has been successfully managed by over 25,000 households in collaboration with the government. It has helped locals to gain economic, social and environmental benefits. The users can prune mature trees, use old ones and replace them with new saplings.

19 July

http://www.ekantipur.com/2015/07/19/national/collaborative-forest-mgmt-approach-scientific-say-users/408090.html

TIBET ON TOP - CHINA

The government of China has declared Tibet among the areas with the best environmental quality in the world. At present the nature reserves account for 33.9 percent of the total land area. Forests cover 11.91 percent of the area. It has around six million ha of wetlands, 125 species of wild animals and 39 wild plants. Tibet had 85.11 million ha of natural grassland in total, of which 69.1 million ha was available for grazing by the end of 2012.

April 17

http://eng.tibet.cn/2012sy/xw/201504/t20150417_2691719.html

RAMPANT DEFORESTATION IN BAJURA DISTRICT- Nepal

Porkhe forest area of Bajura district, Far- Western Nepal spread over 8 ha is rapidly shrinking in size due to unchecked timber smuggling worth millions of rupees annually. Rise in encroachment is another reason for deforestation in the area. Research shows that, more than 500 families of Martadi and Pandusain VDC have cut down trees for cultivation without permits from the District Forest Office (DFO).The forest boasts a wide variety of trees.

February 10

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=91836

WILDFIRE RAGES IN COMMUNITY FOREST- NEPAL

Wildfire is becoming an intense issue in Mahabhir Hariyali Community Forest in Baruneshwor of Okhaldhunga, eastern Nepal as all the efforts to control it have failed. According to the concerned authority, almost 250 ha forest area is likely to be destroyed. Attempts to control the wildfire have been hampered by the difficult topography and lack of easy availability of water in the vicinity.

January 21

http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Wildfire+rages+in+community+forest+&NewsID=441925

OPERATION AGAINST DEFORESTATION- NEPAL

District Forest Office of Banke in mid western Nepal has destroyed more than 1200 huts encroaching around 260 ha of Sidhdababa Community forest. Those houses were built by the flood victims of Rapti River. According to the victims, the trend of encroachment of forest area would continue until flood risk management activities are instigated in Rapti River.

January 3

http://gorkhapatraonline.com/news/1450