The Maoists have cleared some 1-square km community forest area in Danabari area of the eastern district of Ilam where a satellite camp of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is being set up.
The damage caused in the process of settling a PLA brigade here runs into tens of millions of rupees, reports quoting officials at the District Forest Office (DFO) said.
The Maoists have said there is no other option than to clear the forest, a property of Namuna Community Forest, which is managed by the local users’ group. According to Himachal, commander of the Biplab-Srijan Brigade, the forest is being cleared with the permission from the DFO and the management of the community forest.
Hundreds of PLA men were seen felling trees on Wednesday. Some 150 tent-like blocks will be erected in the camp area.
Community forests in Nepal are considered exemplary in the South Asian region. There are more than 12,000 community forest user groups around the country using and managing the community forests which cover 16 percent of the total forest area in the country.
