Ranibari, a model urban forest managed by local community

The Land our Future (Brand Movement) on Saturday, May 13, 2023, organized Ranibari Community Urban Forest excursion programme. The two and half hour long forest walk programme organized at the initiative of forestry student Siksha Khanal was participated in by around a dozen people including conservationists, students, politicians, journalists and nature lovers.

Ranibari is a community forest area situated near Lazimpat in Kathmandu and spreads over 6.9 hectares (approximately 90 ropanis) of land. The urban forest is rich in flora and fauna. One can find here different species of birds, some wild animals and unique plants and herbs.

The Ranibari forest has helped maintain biodiversity in the locality amidst the crowded urban environment. This beautiful forest area is the only urban forest found in Kathmandu Metropolis. This forest area is famous for those going morning walk and every day it attracts at least 100-200 visitors. There are some 43 households in the locality, who have formed a community forest to look after the urban forest.

The forest walk began with introduction to the community forest by Santosh Bikram Rana, president of the community forest, which is being managed by a 13 member executive committee. On the occasion former Environment Minister Sunil Manandhar shed light on.