SINDHULI, July 25: Despite the Terai region facing a growing crisis of drought due to lack of Chure conservation, the allocated budget for Chure restoration in Sindhuli has been returned unspent. The budget from the Chure Resilient Project went unused due to a shortage of human resources.
Sensitive Chure zones lie within Teenpatan Rural Municipality, Kamalamai Municipality, and Dudhauli Municipality of Sindhuli. Dozens of seasonal streams (locally called khahare) originate from the Chure hills. These streams cause annual erosion and flooding, wreaking havoc on locals.
Originating from the Chure region that borders the Terai, these streams have become a curse for the residents of Sindhuli. Chure degradation has forced thousands of farmers into displacement. The destruction of Chure forests and lack of conservation has led to drying water sources and frequent flash floods that sweep away farmlands each year.
The Chure hilltops are located across different parts of Sindhuli, and failure to protect them has visibly affected even the Terai districts. As a direct consequence, fields in the Terai remain barren even during peak monsoon season.
President Paudel stresses Chure conservation for ecosystem bala...
In response to worsening conditions, the Chure Resilient Project, supported by various development partners, has been operating in Sindhuli. However, the project office was forced to return more than Rs 90 million of the allocated budget for the fiscal year 2024/25, as it could not be used effectively.
Out of an approximate budget of Rs 220 million, Rs 97.2 million in development funds went unspent, according to the office. Project Chief Chudamani Khatri admitted the failure, citing staff shortages, field-level disputes, and legal hurdles.
"We were unable to execute the full scope of work, and the conservation budget had to be returned," he said.
Some works such as bamboo fencing, gabion netting for stream control, and pond construction were carried out under the project. The Division Forest Office, Sindhuli also reported spending around Rs 25 million on Chure conservation.
"Our budget was conditional, and we followed central directives to ensure full expenditure," Office Chief Ram Kumar Bhandari told Republica.
Due to its connectivity with the Terai and improved transport access, Chure forests in Sindhuli have recently become vulnerable to illegal logging and smuggling.
"Every year, new streams emerge due to forest destruction in the Chure," said a local from Dudhauli. "During monsoon, these uncontrolled streams make life chaotic, while in the dry season, not a drop of water flows. To prevent these losses, we must conserve the Chure."
Agencies such as the Watershed Office, President Chure Conservation Program, and various non-governmental organizations have been spending budgets annually for Chure protection. However, despite these investments, Chure remains inadequately conserved, leading to recurring environmental disasters.
Locals report that swollen streams from Chure frequently flow into rivers such as the Kamala, Chadaha, and Marin, causing sudden flash floods and heavy damage every year.
