Forestry plays a crucial role in maintaining the planet’s ecological balance, enhancing biodiversity conservation, increasing carbon stock, and the provisioning of ecosystem services. However, the growing demand for natural resources due to increased population and the pressures of economic development putting forests at a risk of degradation and deforestation. It is essential to adopt an appropriate approach that integrates conservation efforts with sustainable development practices to secure the future of forestry. This does not mean only to protect forest ecosystems but ensuring the extraction of forest resources to maintain their regenerative capacities. Effective policies and management strategies must balance the ecological integrity of forests with the economic needs of local communities and country.

In addition, it is also essential to consider that forestry activities must contribute to the well-being of the human populations. This requires an inclusive approach considering the social dimensions of forestry, including the rights and concerns of indigenous peoples and local communities. Participatory governance, equitable resource sharing, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods are key elements in ensuring that forestry practices contribute to uplift livelihoods of forest dependent communities and social equity. Therefore, forestry can serve as a model for sustainable resource management, by aligning conservation goals with human development objectives, that meets the needs of both present and future generations.

In this context, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University- a leading institution of excellence in forestry education, research, and sustainable management of natural resources in Nepal- is organizing the first annual graduate seminar focusing on “Forestry for the Future: Balancing Conservation, Development and Human Well-Being” to share the knowledge generated by its graduates, faculties, alumni and partners.