1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

supervision and guidance. The Assembly also resolved that the preventive
measures as well as information and awareness raising activities by the Health
Department should be further stepped up to prevent and minimize the impact of
HIV/AIDS in the country.
3. Revision of Royalty for Rural House Construction Timber
The Punakha Chimi submitted that the people are facing problems related to
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan implemented since 2000.
According to the Rules, 2000 Cft. of subsidized timber can be purchased from
sawmill for the purpose of house construction if the house is near the road.
Those living in villages further than a kilometer from the road are allotted
subsidized timber of conifer or broad leaf species. In the case of conifer species,
the quantity that would be allotted includes trees for 4 drashing, 80 cham-sized
trees, 80 tsim, and 100 dangchung. If the timber allotted were broadleaved
species, the quantity would be 4 drashing, 60 cham, 60 tsim and 80 dangchung.
As the number of allotted timber is not enough for an average house, the people
would appreciate if it were increased. Although the royalty paid for the timber is
at a subsidized rate, the 3-fold increase in the royalty in a single year is causing
lots of problems. The people would be grateful if a downward revision of the
royalty could be considered.
The Chimi also pointed out that according to the Rules the allotment lapses if
the timber were not extracted from the forest within two years. While those who
have manpower face no problems, most of the rural families do not have
adequate able-bodied family members. The relaxation of the Rules and
extending the time period would be greatly appreciated. For the purpose of
house renovation, the total sawn timber permitted for purchase is 400 cft. and in
case of conifer species, the permitted quantity on standing tree basis is 3
drashing trees, 6 cham-sized trees, 8 tsim and 10 dangchung, while for
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