For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
ForestAction Nepal, building on the more than 15-year legacy of Ban Chautari as a platform for policy dialogue, successfully organised a Ban Chautari titled “Forestry for Prosperity: Political Economy Debates” on Thursday, 8th January 2026. The high-level discussion, held in the presence of the Honorable Minister for the Ministry of Forest and Environment, focused on Nepal’s timber economy: its status, untapped potential, prevailing challenges, and possible pathways to bridge existing gaps.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, REDD Implementation Centre, Chure Terai Madhesh Conservation Board, Forest Research and Training Centre, Divisional Forest Offices, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Foresters’ Association, FECOFUN, FENFIT, AFFON, development partners, civil society organisations, local governments, entrepreneurs, and journalists.
A team of researchers from ForestAction Nepal presented an evidence-based analysis of the potential and actual production of timber and other forest products, drawing on data compiled and synthesized from 83 Divisional Forest Offices, 7 Provincial Forest Directorates, and 7 Provincial Forest Ministries across the country. The presentation highlighted the significant gap between production potential and actual output and unpacked the underlying political-economic and institutional factors contributing to this disparity.
The program featured an engaging panel discussion with panelists from the Government of Nepal, FECOFUN, FENFIT, AFFON, and Tribhuvan University reflecting on policy, governance, and market aspects of Nepal’s timber economy. To ensure wider outreach and promote evidence-based public dialogue, the discussion was telecast through national media and is scheduled to be broadcast by Yatri Media, taking the conversation beyond the venue to a broader national audience. The Honorable Minister shared reflections on ongoing policy and regulatory reforms, outlining measures adopted to reduce procedural and regulatory hurdles, improve institutional efficiency, and strengthen governance mechanisms to better realise Nepal’s forest-based economic potential.
