BANKE : “The shape of Kakrahawa River was very small in the past but now it has become big and dangerous. It is the result of haphazard extraction of natural resources and destruction of forest. As a consequence, water sources are drying up gradually,” says Gunnidhi Sharma, a local.
Speaking at the ‘Paani’ discussion organized in Dang, another local Ram Autar Chaudhary said: “We are facing a huge problem. We have been living in a constant fear because of Kakrahawa River.” He added around 65 households in Maknahawa Village are at high risk of floods and erosion. Each household had collected Rs 1,000 in the third week of July to build a temporary embankment to lessen the impact of floods and soil erosion. But the embankment was swept away by the floods in August. “Now, we have to pay a loan of Rs 75,000. How will we pay back that loan? Chaudhary questioned. “We have urged the rural municipality to provide financial assistance to reconstruct the embankment,” he added.
“The local people also have the rights over the natural resources. Locals will protect and use the natural resources on their own. No one can extract riverbed materials from Kakrahawa River without the consent of local people,” said Huma BC.
“The rural municipality should first think about the alternative before extracting riverbed materials from Dhikure and Kakrahawa River. Excessive extraction of riverbed materials has invited the problem of water,” conservationist and Chairman of Forest and Environment Conservation Committee Umakanta Panta said. Panta was of the view that the concerned authority should pay attention towards conserving water sources, Chure range, installing fence wires and planting trees.
People residing from upper embankment area to lower embankment area of Kakrahawa River lamented that they have been living at high risk of floods and erosion. Gadhawa Rural Municipality had conducted Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) last year in Kakrahawa and Dhikure Rivers to extract riverbed materials. Though locals had enforced a ban to extract riverbed materials, the work to construct embankment has not started yet.
Sunai Khola, Chyuri Khola and Daha Khola, among other rivers, that merge into Kakrahawa River which originated from Jamunibas should cross six km distance to reach Rapti. Thousands of people of Jamunibas, Manikapur, Simaltara, Maknahawa and Kanchi Rural Municipalities among others have been residing near the river. Local communities have been staying alert following reports of excessive mining of riverbed materials.
“I am a contractor authorized by Nepal government. I have not only extracted riverbed materials. I had also helped schools for education. I will not extract the riverbed materials if the local people did not allow me to do so,” contractor Ram Babu Chaudhary said. Chaudhary claimed that he has been extracting riverbed materials as per the need.
Also speaking at the program, Chairman of Gadhawa Rural Municipality Ward-6 Bal Chandra Thakuri said that no one should carry out activities that will affect the water sources. Both sides should conduct activities that benefit the people of upper and lower embankment areas.
On the occasion, Chairman of Gadhawa Rural Municipality, Sahajram Ahire urged the local people to use natural resources based on scientific standard by balancing development and environment and to not obstruct the development works.
Briefly speaking at the program, Rapti Wetland Area exert Min Mahatara of Paani Project informed about the environment and contribution made to conserve the aquatic biodiversity.
During a ‘Paani’ program organized by Nepal Forum of Environment Journalists (NEFEJ) with the financial assistance of USAID, participants discussed extraction of riverbed materials, erosion and inundation.
Local representatives, conservationists, contractor, security personnel, various community forest consumers’ committee and locals, among others, expressed joint commitment during the program.
Chairman of Gadhawa Rural Municipality, ward chairman, elected local representatives, officials of Gadhawa Area Police Office, Fecofan, representatives of community forest, local journalists, contractor and local victims, among others, were present in the program.
Participants had made a four-point commitment during the program.
Commitments
- Local government in coordination with consumers will try to construct embankment this year as per the masterplan of government to prevent Maknahawa and Madapur Rural Municipalities from erosion and inundation.
- To use natural resources by not affecting the biodiversity as per the scientific standard of stones, pebbles and sand in Kakrahawa, Khabari and Dhikure rivers.
- To conserve water sources by not affecting the environment in the settlements from the source of Kakrahawa River to Rapti River. Development and conservation will be taken ahead together by adopting the middle path to prevent the settlements from erosion and inundation.
- Tree plantation and other productive works will be carried out in lower area by conserving water sources, lakes and chure of upper embankment area.
