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Tree felling has begun in Chitwan district for the construction of the Damauli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line, being developed under the Tanahun Hydropower Project. The work commenced after the project received approval to remove trees located within national and community forest areas.

The project obtained official tree-felling approval on May 9, 2026. According to Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari, tree felling, timber collection, and secure storage are being carried out under an agreement with the Division Forest Office, Chitwan.

Bhandari said the concerned Community Forest User Groups began tree felling and timber collection after completing an orientation program on safe timber handling and storage.

“We are carrying out the work in full compliance with the prescribed health, safety, and environmental standards,” Bhandari said. “Financial assistance has also been provided to the Community Forest User Groups to install fencing and CCTV systems for the secure storage and management of the harvested timber.”

A total of 1,263 trees of various species will be felled from the Satanchuli Community Forest in Bharatpur Metropolitan City–1, as well as the Akaladevi and Siddhadevi Community Forests in Ward No. 29, which lie along the transmission line corridor. In Tanahun district, the project said tree marking is currently underway.

Under a Cabinet decision of December 6, 2022, the Government of Nepal approved the use of 92.73 hectares of forest land in Chitwan and Tanahun districts and authorized the removal of 9,127 trees for the transmission line project.

Construction of Package-3 of the transmission line is being carried out by the Indian company KEC International Limited. Of the 94 transmission towers planned along the 35-kilometre transmission line, the foundations of 82 towers have been completed, while 72 towers have already been erected. Overall physical progress of the project has reached 81 percent.

Jalasarokar