The government has asked the Chinese side to immediately halt construction of a safety wall along the Bhote Koshi River, which may force a change in the river's course and cause damage on the Nepali side.

The matter was first taken up by the District Administration Office, Sindhupalchowk, with the Ministry of Home Affairs about two weeks ago. An official at the District Administration Office in Sindhupalchowk told the Post that they received information from locals that the Chinese side was constructing a safety wall on its side of the border. The construction site is very close to the Nepal-China international border.

“We then wrote to the Home Ministry asking whether such unilateral construction is covered by the bilateral agreement between Nepal and China, and whether it requires prior approval from the other party,” said the official.

Based on communication from the local administration, the Home Ministry raised the matter with the foreign ministry. The foreign ministry wrote to the Chinese side asking to halt the erection of the wall.

According to the officials, the construction is being carried out near marker (border pillar) number 53 of the Nepal-China international border. As per the boundary protocol signed between Nepal and China in 1963, either party shall prior inform the next party in case of construction of any structure along the international border, and both parties shall not attempt to change the course of boundary rivers.

“The local immigration office in Kodari, Sindhupalchowk, had reported the case to the district administration office, and later they communicated it to us (Home Ministry),” said Ananda Kafle, the home ministry spokesperson.

The protocol clearly states that both signing parties should prevent changing boundary rivers as per the established protocol. This applies to both sides of the India-China border, according to an official at the Department of Survey. Marker number 53 on the Nepal-China border is located near the construction site.

The boundary protocol also stated that both contracting parties should not deliberately change the course of the boundary river, and should prevent such changes. It further states that both sides should adopt joint measures to prevent loss. And there is also a provision of compensation if any contracting party causes damage on either side of the border due to a change in the river’s course.

Kathmandu has yet to communicate with Sindhupalchowk after registering its formal reservation with the northern neighbour. The Bhote Koshi River lies in one of the most disaster-prone areas, and any construction along the river or attempt to alter its course would have a major impact on the Nepali side of the border during the monsoon, officials say.