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Forests falling fast

Thimphu dzongkhag felled about 29,000 trees last year, or about 80 trees daily, to meet timber and firewood demand, a consumption rate that could leave Bhutan bald by deforestation in two decades. The figure excludes thousands of trees destroyed by forest fires and pest outbreak. "If the trend continues, there will be no question of maintaining the 60 percent forest coverage for all times to come,' said Thimphu divisional forest officer (DFO), Lobzang Dorji. At this rate, our forests will be gone in 20 years.' Types of tree cut For construction Blue Pine 30% Spruce 70%

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