The Division Forest Office in Udayapur has imposed a ban on all locals from entering the forest areas in the district from Friday onwards.

The office took the decision in the wake of increased incidents of bushfires, trees felling, smuggling of woods and hunting of wild animals across the country.

Two weeks ago, a forest patrol team had foiled a suspected poacher from starting a fire in the Belakatari forest area while the Area Police Office in Beltar had arrested two poachers with a musket from Basaha area in Chaudandigadhi Municipality a week ago.
Ambika Prasad Paudel, the division forest officer, said the forest office was compelled to impose the restriction because smugglers and poachers were cutting down trees and hunting animals taking advantage of the lockdown. “We have done this to save our precious medicinal herbs, trees and wild animals,” said Paudel.

Udayapur has 1,45,496 hectares of forest cover. According to the forest office, the ban is applicable to all national, community, leasehold and religious forests in Udayapur. “The prohibition has been enforced as per the Forest Act 2019,” said Paudel, adding that any individual violating the restriction shall be fined up to Rs 1,000 or imprisoned for one month or both.

According to Jageshowr Sah, information officer at the office, forest users can enter the forests but only for conservation works such as construction of fire lines and for the conservation of plants and animals.
“We have directed sub division forests and community forest groups to take initiatives in forest conservation works,” said Sah, adding that the forest office will grant permission letters to the forest users to enter forests to conduct conservation works.