Activists Stage Protest in Kathmandu Demanding Protection of Chure Region

Kathmandu. The Chure and Forest Conservation Campaign Nepal staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala on Thursday to draw the government's attention. Citing renewed hope following the recent political shift, the campaign demanded immediate action to halt the exploitation of the Chure region and ensure forest conservation.

During the demonstration, the campaign presented a five-point demand, urging the government to take a firm stance against elements causing environmental destruction. The primary demand is the immediate removal of both old and new encroachments within the Chure forest area.

Stating that the Chure region has been devastated by illegal extraction of stones, gravel, and sand, they demanded the immediate closure of illegally operating crusher industries. They emphasized that the environmental damage caused by Chure exploitation must be recovered from the responsible parties and that the entire Chure-Bhabar region should be declared a protected area with special provisions.

Furthermore, there were calls to amend current standards regarding the sale and management of stones, gravel, and sand. Arguing that allowing local levels to decide on extraction and sales increases risks to forest areas, the campaign urged the government to mandate the consent of the relevant Division Forest Office and other concerned authorities for such activities.

The protection of rivers and the water crisis are also key agendas for the campaign. They demanded the cleanup of all polluted and encroached rivers and the formation of a separate 'Pollution Control Board' for their oversight. To address the growing drinking water crisis in the Terai-Madhesh region, the campaign suggested building check dams on rivers flowing from the Chure, improving aging irrigation projects like the Bam canal in Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat, and creating green corridors.

Questioning government mechanisms, the campaign demanded a high-level investigation into the work performed so far by the President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Committee and the Chure Resilience Project under the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

They insisted that despite significant state investment, the expected results in Chure conservation have not been achieved, and thus the transparency of these bodies must be investigated. Conservationists have warned that they will intensify their movement if these demands are not met.

After failing to meet the Prime Minister to submit their memorandum, the campaign posted the letter at Maitighar Mandala.