June 3: June 2, the anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo is also observed as the social forestry day. On the occasion, our reporter Pema Lhaden takes a look at challenge of maintaining 60% forest cover in the face of rapid socio-economic development.

In last few decades, a lot of developmental activities, forest fires and natural calamities have lead to a slight decrease in forest cover. A large portion of forest has been cleared for construction of roads, transmission lines, and other developments activities. The demand for forest logs ad timber has increased many folds.

The department of forest says the country’s forest is already under pressure from increasing demand for energy and developmental activities. Last year alone, 12,500 trees were cut down in Thimphu Dzongkhag including the capital town for infrastructure development. This year, 18,000 trees would be cut down.

Lobzang Dorji, the divisional forest officer in Thimphu, said the actual demand is higher. He said apart from planting saplings, various other interim measures are put into place to reduce degradation of forest land. But he said with rapid socio-economic development, maintaining a forest cover of 60% for all times to come is going to be challenging.