Kathmandu- The President Chure-Terai Madhes Conservation Development Committee has spent Rs 15 billion over the past decade. A review is now underway to assess the results of this expenditure.
Established on June 16, 2014, the committee has utilized Rs 14.96 billion as of the fiscal year ending July 16, 2024. According to the committee, financial progress stands at 88.93 percent, while physical progress is at 91.84 percent.
Of the 124 sanctioned positions, including six office-bearers receiving salaries and benefits, 86 posts are currently filled.
Committee Chair Dr. Kiran Poudel highlighted key achievements, including the expansion of multi-year crops in 1,459 locations and 166 hectares of hilly farmland. Additionally, the committee has undertaken greenery promotion programs across 5,230 hectares and produced 29.349 million saplings for distribution.
Infrastructure developments include the construction of 412 km of embankments, 162 hectares of green belt, the restoration of 139 wetlands, the creation of 628 water harvesting ponds, and the conservation of 548 water sources.
Dr. Poudel acknowledged that budget constraints and a lack of human resources have hindered full implementation of the master plan. The committee, headquartered in Lalitpur, operates regional units in Salakpur, Janakpur, Chitwan, Butwal, and Lamki.
The Chure region spans 37 districts and 325 local levels across seven provinces. It faces environmental threats such as erosion, migration, climate-related risks, and wildfires. The committee was formed to alleviate poverty through natural resource conservation, sustainable management, and ecological service promotion. However, it has faced challenges, including allegations of corruption, irregularities, and political interference.
Recently, two office-bearers were removed from their positions following a court order regarding their qualifications. The government is now forming a task force to review and restructure the committee.
The Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN) has opposed the committee since its inception, citing a lack of community involvement. Federation President Thakur Bhandari criticized the committee for failing to engage local communities, arguing that its presence has contributed to Chure’s degradation. He called for its dissolution, stating that indigenous rights have been sidelined.
Founding Chair Rameshwor Khanal defended the committee’s role in conservation but emphasized the need for adequate budget allocation, human resource management, and legislative backing for better performance. He suggested drafting a Chure-specific law, ensuring community representation, and coordinating efforts with provincial governments and stakeholders.
Chure expert Dr. Vijay Singh Dunwar underscored the region’s ecological significance, warning that continued degradation could turn the land into a desert. He echoed the call for legal provisions to strengthen conservation efforts.
The Office of the Auditor General’s 61st annual report highlighted poor progress in key targets outlined in the committee’s five-year master plan. The report noted setbacks in forest mapping across 36 districts, controlling encroachment on 14,150 hectares, and managing grazing for 4,800 farmer groups.
Additionally, there has been no substantial progress in expanding multi-year crops on 7,265 hectares of hilly farmland, managing 165,675 hectares of forest, or regulating river-borne waste in 180 rivers.
Further gaps include the failure to resettle 20,505 households in high-risk areas, provide domestic solar energy to 38,484 households, or develop and utilize 261 kW of micro-hydropower. Out of the planned 89 wetland management projects, only 65 have advanced. Similarly, while 64 rivers were slated for integrated resource development plans, only 47 have seen progress. The report also noted that only 1,917 households have benefited from biogas expansion, far below the target of 81,137.-RSS
