Surunga, July 28, Shanti Raj Prasain has become a popular figure after being recognized for growing a private forest. A resident of Kankai municipality-6, Prasain owns a private forest spread over an area of 2.5 bigaha.
He replaced his paddy fields with the forest that he began six years ago with an investment of nearly Rs. 1.5 million.
Not many had believed in his efforts then. However, after being recognized at the best farmer of the country by the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Prasain has now become a model for every aspiring farmer.
Prasain was recently honoured with the prize in the capital, including a cash of Rs. 75,000 by the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation of the Ministry.
He was recognized for his efforts to protect and save forest products through private forest management and increasing local employment. Following the prize ceremony on July 16, Prasain has been receiving hoards of people coming to see his forest.
Inside the forest, Prasain has also grown medicinal plants and fruits. He has near 1,000 lemon trees and he has also farmed bananas in his forest.
Another attraction is farming of local chicken breed inside the forest area. Growing of private forest has increased as of late in Jhapa, with near 500 private forest registered at the local authorities.
