Call to increase local community access to natural resource

Kathmandu, June 16: Various stakeholders have stressed the need to increase local community's access to natural resources and means so as to mitigate growing negative impact triggered by climate change.

At an interaction programme 'Climate Change, Sustainable Forest Management and Global Political Economy' organized by Green Foundation Nepal here on Saturday, participating speakers underlined the need of public engagement in proper use and management of natural resources.

International forest expert and former advisor to UK Department of International Development John Hudson underscored the urgency to increase communities' rights to forest resources and food to reduce harms caused by climate change.

He further said that a new policy and strategy should be in place to preserve forests and thereby greater interest of the public since the existing fertile land will not suffice to serve food to the people by 2050 AD if the current trend of population growth and rising level of starvation are not checked.

Green Foundation Nepal Chairperson Ghanashyam Pandey said local people's engagement for the sustainable management of forest resources and environment protection could also help generate employment opportunities. RSS