Proposal Submitted to Upgrade Municipalities in Manang and Mustang Districts

Pokhara. A report recommending the establishment of municipalities in the trans-Himalayan districts of Manang and Mustang has been submitted to the government. The Municipal Association of Nepal conducted a special study and presented its findings, proposing that Chame in Manang and Gharapjhong in Mustang be upgraded to municipalities.

The study was led by Kalanidhi Devkota, Executive Director of the Municipal Association of Nepal. The team included geography expert Dr. Bholanath Dhakal, statistics expert Dinesh Bhattarai, and advocate Bishwohari Nepal.

"Considering their status as district headquarters, they should be upgraded to municipalities to facilitate urban management from now on," said Devkota. "Sarlahi has 12 municipalities and Rautahat has 16. Municipalities should not be formed based on population alone."

Furthermore, the report suggests creating a special municipality by merging Ajirkot, Barpak Sulikot, and Dharche rural municipalities in Gorkha. It also proposes that Raghuganga and Dhaulagiri rural municipalities in Myagdi could be upgraded. "We submitted the report before the Gen-Z movement, but it was sidelined as a political issue," he added. "Many local units have misaligned borders. Adjusting them would be beneficial and provide clarity on natural resources."

The report also notes border disputes in districts such as Syangja and Lamjung. The federal government has prepared criteria for reducing the number and adjusting the boundaries of local units and has requested feedback. Discussions regarding the restructuring of boundaries and local units have been ongoing in Gandaki Province since the criteria development phase.