Eviction drive exposes decades of settlement expansion on public land
Summary
Authorities across Nepal are intensifying eviction drives to clear squatter settlements and encroachments on public land, revealing decades of unmanaged urbanization and challenges in land ownership certification. Major urban areas have expanded on unregistered public land, with dense settlements lacking ownership documents but receiving public services.
Key Points
- Eviction drives are underway across Nepal to remove squatter settlements on public land under federal directives.
- Many urban centers in Nepal have grown on unregistered or uncultivated public land without ownership certificates.
- Local governments provide public services and collect revenue from settlements despite lacking formal land ownership.
- Authorities have identified tens of thousands of landless and unmanaged settler households across districts like Rupandehi and Palpa.
