Lack of youth leaves villages struggling to find help for the sick

KATHMANDU: Kathkhola Rural Municipality-5, Karlim village in Baglung has turned desolate due to continuous migration. As neighbors and relatives move to urban areas, the few remaining residents are left disheartened.

Even those who haven’t migrated permanently have sent their families to cities. With the younger generation working abroad, the village is now populated mostly by the elderly.

Kathkhola is one of the areas in Baglung most affected by migration. Many youths have moved to countries like Japan, Korea, and Australia, while their families have settled in Baglung, Pokhara, Kathmandu, and Chitwan.

This migration has made it difficult for elderly residents to find assistance during medical emergencies. Overgrown bushes are reclaiming the abandoned lands, increasing problems with wild animals and causing fear among the locals.

“Now, the village is filled with elderly people and women, making it frightening to walk around,” said local Maina Subedi. She added that farming has been abandoned due to a lack of workforce. “Everyone has moved to the city. This place used to be so lively, but now it feels empty. All the houses around are vacant. There’s no one to help with farming, which used to produce bountiful crops. Now, the fields are overtaken by weeds.”

Chiranjivi Kandel, another local, emphasized the need for government intervention to manage migration. He suggested introducing policies to prevent people from abandoning their homes. He lamented that weeds and bushes are swallowing pathways. Despite infrastructure improvements, migration has not slowed.

Wealthier families have moved to cities for better services, leaving behind only the underprivileged. Even though local governments are addressing basic needs, migration continues unabated. This trend is not limited to Karlim but is widespread across the district, leading to increasingly deserted rural areas.

Tej Bahadur Thapa, Vice-Chair of Kathkhola Rural Municipality, stated that the municipality is introducing programs to connect residents with entrepreneurship and business opportunities. He acknowledged that most people migrate for better healthcare and education, prompting the municipality to invest in these sectors. Thapa assured that they are committed to creating an environment where people can live comfortably in their villages.

The rising rate of migration in Baglung’s rural areas highlights an urgent need for sustainable solutions to preserve these communities.