The Bumthang community forest (CF) networking group decided to withhold the issuance of new timber permits for three years if members of CF fail to extract surplus timber within two years of marking. The decision was made during the group’s 5th networking meeting held on Saturday.
With the implementation of the new rule, the permits issued will also be revoked. The guideline will come to force with immediate effect.
Hereafter, CF management groups planning to sell the excess timber will also have to submit a work plan to respective forestry offices before applying for permits.
“There is a provision in the Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2017 which allows CF management groups to sell the surplus timber from their area. However, about two groups failed to do so within two years. So, at the meeting, all the participants decided to come up with this new rule,” Karma Dorji, the Social Forestry Head of Bumthang Territorial Division, said.
The members of Bumthang CF networking group include representatives from the district’s 33 Community Forests, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Phrumsengla National Park and Bumthang Forest Division.
The annual meeting also highlighted the challenges faced by various CF management groups and addressing them.
“Although we have various rules and regulations that guide people to work within the framework of the law, there are some challenges faced both by the CF management groups and the foresters while working in the field. So, in order to know these issues and come up with solutions, we conduct this meeting annually” Karma Dorji said.
Some other by-laws were also adopted at the meeting. These include the requirement to pay two per cent contribution by each community forest from their annual net income to the networking group within a month after the sale of timber, and allowing the sale of timber only on auction and negotiation basis among other rules.
The group is also seeking formal registration with the Agriculture and Forests Ministry.
