Lawmakers representing the Chure region have urged the government and other concerned bodies to pay due attention to protecting Chure from forest degradation, encroachment, and illegal extraction of resources.

Speaking at a programme organised to discuss and share feedback on the master plan formulated by the President Chure-Tarai Madhes Conservation Development Committee in Kathmandu on Friday, the lawmakers expressed concerns over unabated ecological degradation of Chure region, emphasising the need of prioritising Chure conservation works at the highest level for the benefit of people and the environment.

They shared the problems faced by the locals ranging from water scarcity to flooding to excessive extraction of sand, boulders and stones from river beds which have threatened the local environment in many Tarai districts.

“Every year, river bank erosion washes away thousand bigha of agricultural land in Kailali. The impact is huge on human lives and property and yet the investment in river management is minimal,” said Mohan Singh Rathore, a lawmaker representing CPN-UML from Kailali district.

Shambhu Lal Shrestha, Maoist lawmaker from Sarlahi, said the lack of management of river-based resources, including stones, boulders, sand and gravel deposited in river beds is the major challenge in Chure which is causing water-induced disasters. “I will personally take this issue with senior politicians and high level authorities to include a special session to discuss the Chure master plan in Parliament soon,” said Forest Minister Agni Sapkota.  “We need a political commitment as well as enhanced leadership to protect the Chure.”