Government shows little interest in Chure conservation
Summary
Government plans to extract and export stone, gravel and sand have drawn criticism for threatening Chure conservation and the Tarai-Madhes water system. Experts say repeated excavation projects in the region are increasing the risks of displacement, floods and landslides.
Key Points
- The federal and provincial governments have repeatedly backed plans to extract stone, gravel and sand from the Chure region for revenue generation.
- Chure experts say these projects threaten water storage, agriculture and the Tarai-Madhes plains, while increasing flood and landslide risks.
- A proposed excavation plan for Basantapur Hill in Rupandehi and extraction from the Rapti River in Dang faced opposition, delays and cancellation.
- Experts say the current government has still not introduced a concrete legal plan for Chure conservation.
