Lumbini Province Government Approves Bills for Tharu Customary Practices and Stray Animal Management

Butwal. The Lumbini Province Government has granted in-principle approval for the drafting of two bills. Approval was given for drafting bills to institutionalize the customary systems, values, and best practices of the Tharu community, and to manage stray livestock.

Government Spokesperson and Minister for Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives, Dinesh Panthi, informed that the Provincial Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Chetanarayan Acharya on Monday, gave in-principle approval for drafting a bill to create an act for the recognition and intergenerational transfer of the good and exemplary customary practices of the Tharu community.

The government believes that once the act is established, the practical implementation of the community's rights and entitlements will occur, positively impacting social, cultural, and economic aspects. The Tharu community in Lumbini Province had been demanding the creation of this law.

Similarly, the meeting also granted in-principle approval for drafting a bill to manage stray livestock. Various problems have been arising due to stray animals left roaming in the Terai districts of the province.

There is data indicating approximately 12,732 stray animals in the province. Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives of the provincial government conducted a survey related to stray animal management. Based on this survey, the provincial government has prepared the basis for enacting the law.

It is noted that about 1,000 animals still remain outside of management, even though the capacity of the 39 cow shelters operating in various districts of the province is 11,677, with only 8,995 animals currently being managed. These cow shelters have space for an additional 2,682 animals.

It is expected that once the act is established, coordination between the province and local levels regarding stray animal management will increase with clear roles, problems of road accidents and crop destruction will decrease, animal health services will improve, and cow shelters will gradually become self-reliant.