Mohanyal (kailali), Nov. 28 -- Excessive extraction of resin from pine trees is causing pine forests to dry in the Chure region of Kailali district.

More than 20 community forests have given tenders to various contractors to extract sap from pine trees, which, community forests users groups, say will help the community forests generate income.

According to the government directive issued in 2007, trees that are identified for resin extraction should be at least three feet in circumference and standing above four feet above the ground. However, contractors, in nexus with local forest users' groups, have not followed the rules and regulations and this has caused pine trees to dry, conservationists say.

Lok Bahadur Gharti, a conservationi...