Journal of Forest and Environmental Science

Institute of Forest Science, kangwon National University (강원대학교 산림과학연구소)
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A Review of Implementation of Policy Instruments on Forests Fire in Nepal

  • Ganesh Raj Joshi (Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University) ;
  • Kedar Rijal (Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University) ;
  • Rikita Bhandari (Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University) ;
  • Ramesh Prasad Sapkota (Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University) ;
  • Narayan Babu Dhital (Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University - Patan Multiple Campus)
  • Received : 2024.05.04
  • Accepted : 2024.08.22
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

Forest fire is one of the major disasters occurring in Nepal causing huge loss to the ecosystem, people and economy. They are mainly caused due to different anthropogenic activities. In Nepal, the forest fires occur during the dry season mainly from March to May. Nepal has roughly 29.5 percent forest area that are prone to forest fires and it is estimated that about 375 thousand hectares of forest were burned over one and half decade from 2000-2014. The forest fire risk is higher in the Terai and Siwalik regions than in any other region. To prevent and mitigate the forests fire incidences, the Government of Nepal has formulated and executed different policy instruments. In this regard, this paper aims to review the implementation of policies, strategies, Acts and regulations related to forest fire management at different levels of governance. Although federal and provincial governments' different policy instruments have considered forest fire and its management, these are not effectively implemented. It is not prioritized in terms of resource allocation, institutional capacity building, disaster preparedness and early warning. In addition, there are unclear and overlapping roles and responsibilities among three tiers of governments to effectively implement the policy provisions. Considering the consequences of the forest fire, governments at different levels need to devise an effective mechanism involving all stakeholders for implementing preventive and curative activities, strengthen institutions and build the capacity of human resources, and increase the level of resource allocation to implement the provisions of various legal and policy instruments.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors duly acknowledge the financial support received from Research Directorate, Tribhuvan University (Grant Number: TU-NPAR-077/78-ERG-03) to conduct this research.

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