Embankment Built on Mohana River in Kailali's Tikapur to Curb Erosion, Bringing Relief to Residents

Kailali. An embankment has been constructed on the Mohana River at Khakraula in Tikapur Municipality-9, Kailali. A 680-meter long embankment was built here using large stones (big boulder).

The construction of the embankment by the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project, Kanchanpur, has brought relief to residents who have been living under the threat of river erosion for years.

Project Engineer Uttam Subedi stated that the embankment was constructed at a cost of NPR 41.1 million including VAT, and it has helped in controlling river erosion. Previously, the erosion caused by the river had also put the number 105 border pillar located on the Nepal-India border at risk.

Local Khadga Dhami said that more than two dozen families residing in the coastal area have felt relieved after the embankment construction. "We have been facing the risk of river erosion for years. During the monsoon, there was a fear of when our houses might be washed away; hundreds of bighas of land were eroded, and many families have been displaced. Now, there is hope of being saved from that," he said.

Here, some families possess land ownership documents (lalpurja), but they no longer have the land. Their arable land has turned into riverbed or barren land. Dhami said, "If this embankment had been built five years ago, many families would not have been displaced. We repeatedly informed the ministry and leaders about this. Finally, our demand was heard, and the embankment was built. We are safe from further risk now."

The embankment here was constructed using the budget from the last fiscal year. Local Ransingh Dhami expressed hope that there would be no further risk after the embankment construction. "The river was causing trouble by eroding the land; during the monsoon, we couldn't even sleep peacefully. We have found relief from that after the embankment was built," he said.

Former lawmaker Neupane stated that the construction of the embankment has brought great relief from the suffering caused by the Mohana River's erosion every year. "It wasn't just during the monsoon; the river used to erode even during the dry season, and the public lived in fear. As representatives of this area, we were under immense pressure to get the embankment constructed," he said. "The embankment has been built here after everyone's efforts. We are happy that the government listened to the people's suffering and our voice."

Former Minister of the Sudurpashchim Province Government, Dr. Ran Bahadur Rawal, expressed confidence that many people lost land due to the delay in embankment construction, but that risk will not be repeated now. "Although the government built embankments on the Karnali and Mohana rivers, some parts here remained unprotected, causing erosion of land for many citizens living near the river. Although it was delayed, the problem has been solved with the construction of the embankment through everyone's efforts," he said.

Nepali territory has gone towards India due to the erosion by the Mohana River. After their land went across the river to the Indian side, the local citizens have been unable to cultivate there.