Baglung villages deserted as urban migration soars

KATHMANDU: Rural areas in Baglung, such as Kathekhola, Galkot, and Jaimini, are becoming desolate due to a rising trend of migration to urban centers in search of better facilities.

Despite local governments bringing development to villages, the number of residents who benefit from these advancements is steadily decreasing.

Dilaram Pun, a resident of Kathekhola Rural Municipality-5, Bihu, highlighted that despite improvements in education, healthcare, transportation, and electricity infrastructure connecting remote areas, many people now prefer urban areas.

Reflecting on the past decade, he recalled how neighbors used to work collectively in agriculture, but now, even finding someone to assist a sick person in an emergency has become challenging.

Pun lamented that cultivable land in the villages has been overtaken by invasive plants as a result of depopulation. “Our village, once thriving, has changed drastically. Those who could afford to leave have moved to cities, leaving behind only the poor. The youth are abroad, and we, the elderly, are left to fend for ourselves. Born and raised here, we endured hardships, but at this age, where would we go? Now, we worry that the village will soon be completely empty,” he said.

Maya Devi Shris of Galkot Municipality-5 echoed similar concerns, noting that younger generations opting for urban life are leaving villages to become overgrown with shrubs. “A decade ago, villages were bustling with people, and neighbors were always there to help in times of need. Back then, we had no motor roads, and we had to carry salt, oil, and rice from markets on foot. Fetching drinking water required standing in long queues for hours. Today, motor vehicles reach our doorsteps, and taps are installed in courtyards, but there’s no one left to utilize these developments. If the government fails to curb migration, we fear the very existence of villages will vanish,” she said.

Himbahadur Bhandari, spokesperson for Galkot Municipality, emphasized efforts to stem migration by promoting employment opportunities for youth in the villages.

He highlighted programs for small-scale enterprises and subsidies for livestock farmers. Since most migration occurs for education and healthcare, the municipality is focused on improving the quality of education in community schools and enhancing healthcare services.

Without effective measures to address the growing trend of migration, the rural charm and identity of Baglung’s villages are at risk of disappearing altogether.