October 24: The import of timber has increased significantly although the country has abundance of resources at its disposal.

According to the records maintained by the Department of Customs, timbers worth Rs 5.75 billion were imported in Nepal during the last fiscal year.

The timbers were imported from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Ukraine. The imported timbers mostly included varieties of plywood as well as door and window frames.

The imported timbers were mostly used for furniture.

Rajesh Agrawal, president of Nepal Furniture and Furnishing Association said that the timbers produced within the country are decaying in the forests due to lack of policies and proper management while the traders have been compelled to import timbers from abroad.

Despite Nepal having dense forests across the country, the furniture market is dependent on import of timber to meet its demand. The consumers too are found to prefer timber from abroad.

“The increase in import of timber to a country full forests has made Nepal dependent on timber from abroad. This trend also hinders the government’s plan to decrease trade deficit while the popular saying ‘Hariyo ban, Nepal ko dhan’ will be limited only to a slogan,” Agrawal added.