Wildfire: Waste of a valuable energy resource 

By Subarna Subedi 


In a nation blessed with more than 45% forest coverage, it is both ironic and disheartening that the public is increasingly demanding fresh and clean air to breathe. This paradox is one of the most intriguing yet troubling stories emerging from the foothills of the Himalayas, particularly in Nepal. Despite its abundant greenery, the country faces severe air pollution challenges. Even more paradoxical is Nepal’s growing dependence on imported wood and furniture from East Asian countries while simultaneously allowing its own valuable forest biomass to go up in smoke through uncontrolled open burning. This raises serious questions about the role of forests in Nepal: are they merely untapped resources, or have they inadvertently become contributors to an environmental threat?

As per a report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, the bustling capital home to nearly a million residents, experiences dangerously high levels of air pollution. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains above hazardous levels for nearly half the year (ICIMOD, 2023). The situation worsens during the dry season, when massive forest fires rage across the country, releasing vast amounts of particulate matter and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Ironically, these fires are becoming more frequent and intense even as Nepal's forest cover continues to expand, a phenomenon partly attributed to strict conservation laws and policies that limit active forest management.

Studies suggest that sustainably managed forests not only sequester more carbon over time but also help in reducing the risk of catastrophic fires. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), sustainable forest management practices, including selective harvesting and thinning, can enhance a forest’s resilience while providing renewable resources for economic development (FAO, 2022). For Nepal, adopting such practices could make economic and environmental sense. The country imported furniture and wood products worth millions of dollars in 2024, an unnecessary expense given its abundant forest resources (Department of Customs, Nepal, 2024).

Beyond reducing wood imports, Nepal’s forest biomass holds the potential to substitute for other imported fossil fuels. In 2024, Nepal imported coal worth over NPR 20 billion, a figure that could be partially offset by promoting biomass-based fuels such as pellets and briquettes (Nepal Rastra Bank, 2024). By utilizing forest residues and agricultural waste, Nepal can develop a domestic bioenergy sector that improves energy security and supports rural livelihoods. Process industries currently dependent on expensive petroleum products like high-speed diesel could transition to biomass for steam generation, reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Additionally, space heating in Nepal’s cold rural regions could shift from electricity and traditional wood burning to cleaner, more efficient biomass fuels, lessening the strain on the national grid and mitigating indoor air pollution.

In the longer term, advanced technologies like biomass gasification could be deployed at scale to produce clean energy for industries and communities alike. Such initiatives would not only diversify Nepal’s energy mix but also turn its forest biomass from a liability during fire seasons into a valuable economic asset. With careful planning and sustainable forest management, Nepal stands at a crossroads where it can transform its air quality crisis into an opportunity for green growth and energy security.



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