Pokhara Metropolis Seeks Information on Land Encroachments

Pokhara. The Pokhara Metropolitan City, which a few days ago issued an order to remove structures from all public, unused, allocated, and government land, has again urged city dwellers to provide information about structures built on such lands. The Metropolis has issued a notice appealing for cooperation by providing information about encroachments on public, allocated, and unused lands within the city area.

It has been stated that for a long time, various individuals and organizations have been constructing structures, fencing, and using public land for other purposes. The Metropolis claims to remove such unauthorized structures immediately and vacate the land.

The municipality has sought information from citizens to make its monitoring and action more effective. The notice states, 'If you come to know that someone has encroached upon public, allocated, or unused land in your neighborhood and constructed structures, fenced it, rented it out, or is using it for any other purpose, we sincerely request you to inform the Metropolis.'

The Metropolis has stated that it will keep the identity of the informant completely secret, keeping in view the security of the person providing the information. Most of the government, public, unused, and allocated lands in Pokhara are encroached upon. Influential people have occupied land and rented it out, and many places are filled with squatters. It is estimated that there are about 25,000 squatters throughout Kaski district. Besides that, some lands have also been occupied by influential people and structures have been built.

Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said that everyone must remove their structures within the 35-day notice period. According to him, after the notice period expires, the Metropolis will come out with bulldozers. However, the squatters have urged not to operate the bulldozers until their alternative arrangements are made.