Forest office clarifies: Scrap tempo fell on its own, not pushed

KATHMANDU: The Division Forest Office, Kailali has expressed serious concern over a social media claim alleging that forest staff pushed a tempo (three-wheeler) off a cliff during an eviction drive in the Godawari Community Forest Area of Godawari Municipality–4.

Issuing a press statement, the office said the circulating information is misleading and does not reflect the actual incident.

According to the forest authority, the area falls under the sensitive Chure region, where illegal encroachment on public forest land along the roadside has been a long-standing issue.

The office said repeated activities such as unauthorized land division, sale of plots, and construction of huts and temporary shops have been regularly removed as part of enforcement actions.

The office stated that around five months ago, illegal structures were rebuilt after being cleared, prompting another eviction campaign.

It clarified that the tempo mentioned in social media reports was not in running condition, with its engine and wheels completely damaged, and was being used only as part of a makeshift shop structure.

The authority further said it had already instructed the removal of the structure a month earlier, but the concerned person did not comply.

Forest staff later moved the tempo to the individual’s house, but it was again brought back and used for business purposes.

During the latest removal drive on Jestha 29, the team attempted to clear the non-operational tempo.

However, due to the steep terrain and imbalance, it accidentally slipped and fell off a cliff, the office clarified.

The Division Forest Office has urged the public not to spread exaggerated or misleading information and to rely on verified facts.