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Science-Policy Dialogue on ‘Forests and Education’

A Science-Policy Dialogue was organized on the occasion of the International Day of Forests 2019 in Kathmandu on 19 March 2019. The program was organized jointly by Forest Research and Training Centre and Nepal Foresters’ Association and more than one hundred policy-, decision-makers, academicians, scientists and foresters attended the program. Forest and Environment Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, National Planning Commission Member Dr Krishna Prasad Oli and Forest and Environment Secretary Dr Bishwa Nath Oli also participated in the event.

During the event, papers were presented on ‘Forests and Education’, the theme for International Day of Forests 2019 by Prof Dr Ridish Kumar Pokharel and Dr Rajendra KC. Former Secretaries of Government of Nepal Dr Uday Raj Sharma and Dr Shwoyambhu Man Amatya and Associate Professor Dr Ila Shrestha were the commentators.

During the program, Minister Basnet reaffirmed that the Government is effortful to conserve forest and biodiversity of Nepal. The minister said, “We should focus on sustainable use of our forest resources for national prosperity”. He urged forest scientists to come up with innovative ways to balance conservation and use of forest resources. “We must work together to conserve and sustainably use the country's forest resources,” the minister said. Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Member of National Planning Commission calls on tapping potentialities of forestry sector for the country’s prosperity. Secretary Oli said that collaboration between academicians and managers is required for bridging science-policy gaps.