§ 79. Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to make provision for an increase in his Department's support for reafforestation in Nepal.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI recognise the importance of forest conservation and reafforestation in Nepal. Our current368W commitments to forestry projects in Nepal are about £7 million. These fund research and the provision of information designed to assist both of these objectives throughout Nepal, as well as a community forestry project in eastern Nepal. We have assisted the preparation of a forestry master plan for the development of the forestry sector in Nepal over the next 25 years. This plan is now in the final stage of consideration by the Government of Nepal. As soon as it is ready my officials will be discussing with the Nepalese Government and other donors what role we might play in its implementation.