Quiet exodus leaves Baitadi’s villages desolate
Summary
Baitadi’s villages are rapidly emptying as residents move to the Tarai, urban centres and abroad in search of jobs, leaving homes, farmland and public services deserted. The decline has hit schools, political representation and local transport, while major infrastructure projects and a planned model city in Patan remain underused.
Key Points
- Villages across Baitadi, including Pallachaudali, Dehimandau and Shahilek, have become increasingly deserted as people migrate for work and opportunities.
- Student numbers have fallen sharply, forcing school mergers and putting 114 basic-level schools at risk of closure or merger.
- Baitadi Airport, the model city project in Patan and bus services to Kathmandu are all struggling because of a lack of passengers and residents.
- Large areas of fertile farmland have been left fallow, and experts say weak migration and development policies have deepened the imbalance.
