Limestone mining industries operating in Palpa have been paying the outstanding forest development fund, environmental fees, and revenue for the past eight years in exchange for using forest areas.

Five limestone industries and one coal mine operating in different parts of the district have submitted revenue. According to the Division Forest Office, Palpa, Satyawati Chundhunga Pvt. Ltd., Koldanda-5, has submitted Rs 22,20,685 in Tinau Rural Municipality-5 (formerly Koldanda-9) for the fiscal year 2081/082.

Palpa Cement Limited, Kathmandu has submitted revenue of Rs 39,22,359 in Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-7 (formerly Gothadi-9). Alpha Construction and Developers Pvt. Ltd., Koteshwor, Kathmandu has submitted revenue of Rs 11,76,789 in Tinau Rural Municipality-2 (formerly Dobhan-9), according to the Division Forest Office.

Similarly, Sarvottam Cement Pvt. Ltd., Tinkune, Kathmandu has submitted Rs 44,156 in Tinau Rural Municipality-1 (formerly Kachal-1). Sarvottam Cement Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Jagadamba Cement Industries Pvt. Ltd.) has paid a revenue of Rs 14.446 million in Nisdi Rural Municipality-7 (formerly Jyamire-7).

Similarly, Nepal Mining Company Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu (formerly Mahalaxmi Coal Pvt. Ltd.), operating in Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-4, Palpa, has paid a revenue of Rs 105,704.

As per the agreement between the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation (formerly Forest Department) and Chundhunga Pvt. Ltd., the national forest area was allowed to be used to operate the limestone quarrying project. The quarrying work has been carried out by making an agreement as per the government's decision to remove trees and plants in the same area.

However, since 2075/076, the industries had not paid the amount to be deposited in the Revenue and Forest Development Fund as per the prevailing Forest Act and regulations.

‘If revenue had been paid in the past, a letter was sent from the department to submit the details,’ said Senior Divisional Forest Officer Mohan Prasad Shrestha. ‘Whether it was paid or not, it was requested to submit the details as per the rules.’ According to him, the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation had also been in correspondence repeatedly.

He said that the Forest Development Fund, environmental fees and revenue were paid based on the letter from the Department of Mines and Geology and the audit report of limestone industries.

There is a provision to pay 25 percent of the revenue paid to the Department of Mines and Geology from the fiscal year 2075/076 to 2076/077 as per the Forest Regulations, 2051. Similarly, after the issuance of the Forest Act, 2076, the amount for the period before the issuance of the Forest Regulations, 2079 has been deposited in the Forest Development Fund.

According to Schedule-8 of the Forest Regulations, 2079, revenue from 2079 to mid-Shrawan 2080 has also been paid as per the price rate of other forest products. According to the interim order of the Supreme Court, the amount has been deposited in the Forest Development Fund at the rate of 10 percent, according to the Division Forest Office.

Five limestone industries' arrears

Five limestone mining industries operating in Palpa have been arrears in paying the outstanding Forest Development Fund, environmental fees and revenue for years for using forest areas.

BS Cement Industries Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, located in Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-5 (formerly Kaseni-8), has yet to pay Rs 66.96 million, 213. It has not paid revenue since April 2, 2075.

Hongsi Shivam Cement Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, located in Nisdi Rural Municipality-7 (formerly Jyamire-7), has yet to pay Rs 35.82 million, 52 thousand 677. It has not paid since Kartik 1, 2074.

Similarly, Dolomite Chundhunga Pvt. Ltd., Dobhan-5, located in Tinau Rural Municipality-5 (formerly Masyam-4), has to pay Rs. 14.5 million 238. It has not paid since 22 Asad, 2064.