KATMANDU, NEPAL, November 26, 2002: The violent Maoist insurgency in Nepal has killed thousands of people, devastated the economy and is now threatening the Himalayan Kingdom’s precious forests, officials say. Guards cannot protect forests from illegal cutting of trees because they are worried about attacks by Maoist rebels, and the government is unable to dedicate enough funds for forest conservation. Some 92 area forest offices and 696 range posts are engaged in conservation programs across the 5.8 million acres of Nepalese land which is covered by forests, about 40 per cent of Nepal’s total land area. According to officials, 20 area forest offices and 280 range posts have already been destroyed by the Maoists since they launched their armed insurgency, and in monetary terms, the Maoists have destroyed forestry infrastructure worth US$3.84 million.
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