FOREST TAKEOVER
The Nepalese government has decided to hand over some community forests to the Royal Nepal Army (RNA). Local forest user committees have criticised the government for this decision. Three community forests in Kamalamai Municipality and six forests in Ranichuri village development council will be taken over by the RNA, to establish its battalion. "We will vehemently oppose this decision,' said Bhisma Raj Shrestha, chairperson of the Federation of Forest Users Committee. Shrestha claimed that about 6,000 residents would be affected if the community forests were handed over to the army.