Complaint Filed Against Govinda Malla, Chairperson of Himalaya Rural Municipality, for Timber Smuggling in Humla

Confiscated materials involving Chairperson Malla and local residents. May 26, Humla. A case has been registered in Humla against Govinda Malla, Chairperson of Himalaya Rural Municipality in Bajura, along with three others, on charges of timber smuggling. The complaint was filed regarding smuggling of timber and wildlife in the Lampata Chyachaur forest area of Kharpunath Rural Municipality-3, Humla district, implicating Chairperson Malla and three others.

The complaint alleges that timber smuggling occurred under Chairperson Malla’s plan within the Thala Community Forest area. According to the Division Forest Office Humla, the complaint was made against Chairperson Malla, Nar Bahadur Gurung of Ward No. 3, Ward member Pema Gara Gurung, and Himal Gurung. Mahesh Kumai, Chief of Division Forest Office Humla, informed that a team led by Devaraj Rawal, Chairperson of Thala Community Forest, filed the complaint against these four individuals.

The complaint states that two automatic saws used for cutting Gobre Sal timber, 700 tree felled logs, a partial body of the national bird Danphe found in the jungle, and the skin of a rare animal were discovered at Pema Gurung’s residence. The complaint demands legal action based on the National Wildlife Conservation Act 2022 and Forest Act 2019, as stated by Chief Kumai. According to him, officials have been appointed to investigate, and the wildlife specimens have been sent to the National Forensic Laboratory for identification. – Narajan Tamang