Kathmandu, Nepal - All seven provincial governments have placed forest conservation, environmental protection, watershed management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation among their key priorities in the fiscal year 2083/84 budgets. The newly announced provincial budgets indicate a growing shift from traditional conservation approaches toward linking forests and natural resources with green employment, rural economic growth, and climate resilience.
Provincial governments have collectively emphasized the sustainable use of forests, promotion of medicinal herbs and non-timber forest products, scientific forest management, ecotourism development, and measures to address increasing environmental challenges such as forest fires, watershed degradation, and human-wildlife conflict.
Koshi Province Focuses on Chure Conservation and Ecotourism
Koshi Province has allocated approximately Rs 3.49 billion under the Ministry of Tourism, Forest, and Environment. The province has introduced programs promoting sustainable forest management and the commercialization of timber, including a policy requiring the use of local timber in public construction projects.
Under the slogan “Soil of Chure for Chure, Clean Water for All,” the province has allocated resources for biodiversity conservation, wildlife rescue centers, ecotourism development, and watershed protection. Additional emphasis has been placed on the cultivation of medicinal herbs and high-value non-timber forest products within forest areas.
Madhesh Province Links Forests with Enterprise Development
Madhesh Province has allocated Rs 3.496 billion for forest, environment, and ecotourism initiatives. The budget promotes the “One Tree Destruction, Ten Trees Development” campaign alongside large-scale afforestation and forest conservation programs.
The province aims to strengthen community participation in controlling forest fires and encroachment while encouraging forest product-based enterprises. Chure conservation efforts will include check dam construction, groundwater recharge initiatives, and watershed management programs. The budget also promotes medicinal herb cultivation as a source of income for local communities.
Bagmati Province Promotes Green Prosperity
Bagmati Province has earmarked Rs 6.72 billion under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, and Environment. The province has adopted the slogan “Green Forest: Means of Prosperity” and plans to strengthen forest-based enterprises, ecotourism, and sustainable utilization of forest resources.
Special attention has been given to the conservation of the endangered pangolin (Salak), declared the province’s pride animal. The budget also prioritizes REDD+ initiatives, agroforestry promotion, and the use of bio-engineering technologies for climate adaptation and environmental conservation.
Gandaki Province Introduces Community Forest Pond Program
Gandaki Province has allocated Rs 1.21 billion to the forest and environment sector. A key feature of the budget is the “One Community Forest: One Pond” initiative, designed to support watershed conservation, groundwater recharge, and wildlife water sources.
The province also plans to address invasive species, forest encroachment, and forest fires while promoting integrated environmental conservation measures to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Lumbini Province Expands Scientific Forest Management
Lumbini Province has allocated Rs 1.72 billion for forest and environmental programs. The budget includes plans to expand scientific forest management across community and block forests while introducing electronic bidding systems to improve transparency in timber sales.
The province aims to increase local incomes through the commercial cultivation of medicinal herbs and non-timber forest products such as Satuwa, Tejpat, Timur, and Pashanbhed. Funding has also been allocated for the conservation of endangered tree species and the establishment of wildlife rescue and ambulance services.
Karnali Province Prioritizes Medicinal Herbs and Himalayan Biodiversity
Karnali Province has allocated Rs 2.46 billion under the Ministry of Forest and Environment. The province has emphasized sustainable forest management, green employment, and the promotion of high-value medicinal herbs found in Himalayan and hill regions.
Special conservation programs have been announced for iconic Himalayan wildlife, including snow leopards, red pandas, and musk deer. Additional investments will support watershed restoration and soil erosion control projects across vulnerable areas.
Sudurpashchim Province Targets Watershed Protection and Ecotourism
Sudurpashchim Province has allocated Rs 3.496 billion to the forest and environment sector. The province plans to strengthen scientific forest management through community forest groups while promoting ecotourism and medicinal herb-based enterprises.
The budget includes significant investments in bio-engineering technologies for riverbank protection, soil erosion control, and Chure conservation. Measures have also been proposed to improve wildlife conservation and compensation mechanisms for damages caused by human-wildlife conflict.
Forests Positioned as Drivers of Green Employment
A common theme across all provincial budgets is the effort to transform forests from solely conservation areas into drivers of economic development and employment. Provinces such as Koshi, Karnali, and Lumbini have particularly emphasized the cultivation and commercialization of medicinal herbs and non-timber forest products to generate income while maintaining ecological sustainability.
The promotion of species such as Tejpat, Rudraksha, Bodhichitta, and Amriso is expected to support rural livelihoods and reduce the trend of leaving agricultural and forest land underutilized.
Persistent Challenges Remain
Despite the ambitious programs announced by provincial governments, experts note that successful implementation will require stronger coordination among provincial authorities, local governments, community forest user groups, and the private sector.
Forest fires, watershed degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and forest encroachment continue to pose significant environmental risks. In addition, limited private sector investment in medicinal herb collection, storage, processing, and marketing infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly in remote hill and Himalayan regions.
The provincial budgets for FY 2083/84 nevertheless signal a growing recognition that environmental conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable economic development are closely interconnected. If effectively implemented, these initiatives could contribute significantly to Nepal’s climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and green economic transformation.
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