The term of the committee, led by the Central Regional Forest Director (CRFD), ended on June 15 with the end of fiscal year 2069-70 B.S., but relocation of as many as 59 households is yet to be completed. [break]
According to CRFD Rajendra Prasad Yadav, demarcation of land for 39 households is yet to be completed while 20 households are yet to receive any land. Similarly, the process of transferring the land, which was previously occupied by the now-relocated households, to Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR) is yet to be completed.
Some years ago, the government had introduced a plan to resettle the locals of Ramauli and Pratappur settlements, which fall within Manahari VDC-5 and 6, in Manahari VDC-2 and 3 to avoid recurrent encounters between the locals and wild animals from PWR region.
Three years ago, the government formed a CRFD-led committee to relocate the entire Ramauli and Pratappur settlements to Manahari-2 and 3, where threats of attack by wildlife are virtually non-existent.
The committee was instructed to complete its task in just one year´s time. As the committee failed to accomplish its task in one year, its tenure was extended twice by one year each. However, even after the completion of its third one-year term, the committee is yet to complete the task.
The committee, which answers directly to the council of ministers, was formed on July 13, 2009 with a mandate to resettle 377 households of Ramauli and Pratappur to Manahari-2 and 3.
As the committee´s future hangs in the balance, work such as construction of a dam, developing an irrigation system, a drinking water facility, building two schools and construction of electricity plants now appear stalled. Yadav says they still need Rs 529.8 million to develop a model village in Manahari VDC-2 and 3 for the resettled families.
"We have not received as big a budget as we asked for," said Yadav."This is the reason why we failed to complete our task on time."
Meanwhile, the committee on Monday requested the government to extend its term by at least six months more. The committee sent its request following consultations with the Makawanpur chief district officer, local representatives of political parties and other stakeholders.
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