Timber worth Rs 2bn rots due to delays

Consumers often face challenges in obtaining timber for construction and other purposes due to unavailability at the required time. However, in Nawalpur district, timber worth millions has rotted and become unusable. Despite being cut on time, the timber could not be utilized due to complex forest-related laws.

Forest Officer Shishir Lamsal explained that delays in processing and handing over the timber have caused it to lose its value. Timber cut for various projects and community purposes has been left to rot. “When auctions are called, contracts often remain unsigned. Even in cases where contracts are signed, contractors sometimes fail to collect the timber, leading to its deterioration,” Lamsal said.

According to the Divisional Forest Office, Nawalpur, 78,235 cubic feet of timber are now in need of re-evaluation. At official rates, this timber is valued at over Rs 800m, but at current market prices of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per cubic foot, its value could exceed Rs 2bn. Much of this timber, some of which has been lying unused since 2017, is now unusable.

Chief Divisional Forest Officer Basanta Keshav Adhikari noted that delays in timber handovers by projects like the Narayangarh-Bhairahawa road project exacerbated the problem. “Timber from the project was handed over late, leading to its loss of value. Consumers are hesitant to invest in timber now, as the market is not economically favorable,” Adhikari said.

Repeated attempts to auction the timber have failed, with no contracts signed despite three calls. The forest office has written to the ministry requesting re-evaluation. Section 89 of the Gandaki Province Forest Act, 2023, allows for the re-evaluation of deteriorated and rotted timber. However, out of 83,673 cubic feet of timber cut during the Butwal-Narayanghat road expansion, 46,198 cubic feet remain unsold and unusable.

Forest Officer Lamsal emphasized that delays in project handovers have worsened the situation. “Some timber was handed over as recently as two or three months ago, but delays meant it had already deteriorated,” he said. According to the forest office, there is currently 114,086 cubic feet of timber in Nawalpur district.

Bishwa Bagale, a central member of the Timber Traders Association, criticized the handling of timber contracts. “Contracts should have been initiated one and a half years in advance to prevent this deterioration, but that didn’t happen. Now, entrepreneurs are reluctant to take up contracts for damaged timber. The price of deteriorated wood should be reduced, and new contracts should be called,” Bagale suggested. He estimated that less than 20 percent of the timber remains usable.

Meanwhile, consumers seeking timber from the forest office are returning empty-handed. Despite having timber in stock, the office is unable to distribute it due to the lack of an approved work plan. “The District Forest Products Supply Committee distributes timber, but we are not in a position to provide it at the moment,” said the chief officer. Four and a half months after the end of the fiscal year, the Gandaki Province Ministry of Forests has yet to approve the work plan for timber distribution, further delaying the process.