{"id":20049126,"date":"2020-10-07T12:30:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T07:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thethirdpole.net\/?p=49126"},"modified":"2021-01-29T18:10:47","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T12:40:47","slug":"bhutan-considers-exploiting-forests-to-offset-pandemic-losses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/forests\/bhutan-considers-exploiting-forests-to-offset-pandemic-losses\/","title":{"rendered":"Bhutan considers exploiting forests to offset pandemic losses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just two countries in the world are carbon-negative: Suriname in South America and Bhutan. But Bhutan, famous for its commitment to conservation, is now considering exploiting its rich forest resources.
\nThe coronavirus pandemic has battered the economy: a report from Bhutan\u2019s central bank says it could shrink<\/a> by 1.1% this year. Households are already feeling the impact of job losses and wage cuts. The result will be falling standards of living and material welfare, with private consumption expected to drop by 21.8%.
\nIn response, the government may increase timber production<\/a>. It has said it wants this to be used domestically, reducing imports, and in exported goods. Namgay Tshering, Bhutan\u2019s finance minister, told The Third Pole<\/a> the government is reassessing some aspects of the economy in light of the Covid-19 situation, and that it aims to reduce imports of wood-based products by 90%. \u201cIt\u2019s a low-hanging fruit but we will adopt a sustainable and strategic approach,\u201d the minister said.
\nOfficials from the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) said they are working on a report setting out the plans, which they will soon submit to the government. The proposals include exporting and making more wood-based products, and supplying charcoal to local industries.
\nThey did not have any estimates on how much timber would be produced, and the number and type of trees that would be felled, as they said they are still considering the challenges involved and cost to the environment. The government\u2019s priority, officials said, is to make timber available in the domestic market to cut imports.
\nAn untapped resource?<\/strong>
\nJust 5% of Bhutan\u2019s total forest area is used for commercial forest production, according to a World Bank report<\/a> published in July 2019. The report describes the forestry sector as \u201cunderutilised\u201d, with very little timber harvested. It calculated that forests contribute 2% of Bhutan\u2019s total gross domestic product.
\nBhutan is recognised globally as a leading country on environmental issues, with its forests protected through strict laws and policies, such as the ban on exports<\/a> of raw timber. Its development model is framed around conserving the environment. Today, more than 70% of the country is forested, helping Bhutan to absorb three times more carbon from the air than it emits.
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