Displaced Koshi Tappu families seek land swap, urge PM for action
The commission has recommended that land be provided to 75 remaining families in Letang Municipality of Morang district.
KATHMANDU: Representatives of families displaced during the expansion of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today, demanding land compensation through land swaps.
The delegation, which included 95-year-old Kamala Kumari Pokharel, reminded PM Oli that their homes were acquired during the reserve’s expansion 48 years ago, and that the state had made a gentleman’s agreement to provide replacement land.
The issue is currently under the review of a high-level commission formed under the leadership of Ram Kumar Chemjong on Falgun 6, 2080 BS, which was tasked with resolving the grievances of those displaced.
The commission has recommended that land be provided to 75 remaining families in Letang Municipality of Morang district.
Former commission member Manohar Narayan Shrestha, who was part of the delegation, emphasized the need for swift government action and cited a Supreme Court ruling from Baisakh 5, 2046 BS that had also ordered the state to provide alternative land to the displaced families.
After receiving the memorandum, Prime Minister Oli instructed Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal to study the issue and provide an appropriate response to the affected families within 15 days.
