DOTI: The Elected representatives of Badikedar Rural Municipality have promised to formulate environment friendly policy for controlling landslides after the locals suffered from loss of life and properties.
The local body representatives promised in written at Paani Chalfal organized by Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ).
Badikedar surrounded by Thuligad and Boktan Lagam Karnali have been annually suffering from floods and landslides. “My village is along with Thuligad River. Flood damages every year and landslides fall from above,” Thakan devi Kolal of Badikedar Rural Municipality-1.
According to Dambar Bahadur Bohora, ward chairman of 1, the risk of landslides has also increased due to development of BP Nagar-Khutiya fast track, which has even damaged fertile fields.
People set fire in forests, expecting new buds but it has triggered landslides, said Gauri Rana of Badikedar Rural Municipality-5, adjoined to Boktan water area.
Buddhi Sagar Binadi, ward chairman of Lana, said that they have planned to plant trees, which control landslides. Liladhar Sapkota, ward chairman of 3, said that people of Thuligad, Ganjari, Byabre, Okhaldhunga, Ratadhunga, Deuthan and Pipalkunda have duffered from the landslides. “People have become homeless due to Karnali and Thuligad rivers,” said Sapkota. “Such 20 families have been living in the jungles for two years.”
Vice-chairperson Indra Bhat Bohora said that they have planted trees as a tree plantation campaign. She expressed commitment to solve the problem of deforestation by formulating policy.
Wards 1, 2 and 3 fall at Thuligad area where landslide takes place every year. Krishna Bahadur Chanda, chairman of Badikedar Rural Municipality, said that they were discussing to settle down the problems. “We have started embankment in some places and tree plantation in coordination with forest office,” he said.
Though roads should be developed by carrying out environment impact assessment (EIA) and initial environment evaluation (IEE), it is not implemented due to long time of about 10 years. “Our tenure is only five years. It is difficult for us to implement them. But we will go ahead by formulating policies,” he said. “Now, all elected representatives are aware of natural disaster and tackling them. We will also seek support from province if we fail to solve the problem.”
The 8-point commitment paper was pledged in the water discussion program attended by chairs of all five wards of Badikedar Rural Municipality and locals.
Commitments:
Ø Formulate environment friendly policies while carrying our development works.
Ø Form disaster management committee to solve disaster problems.
Ø Provide training and awareness programs to locals for disaster management.
Ø Plant saplings, conserve water sources, and construct canals for controlling landslides only after detail study.
Ø Initiate programs at each ward to control fire in forest.
Ø In order to control natural disaster, local government will coordinate with provincial and central governments.
Ø Implement tree plantation program at landslide prone areas.
Ø Forward embankment programs to control erosion.
