The homeless villagers shifted to the Bhatteghari village in Kunathari after the tragedy.
The families were in Birendranagar on Tuesday demanding proper housing facilities.
They said that they were facing various problems living in the middle of the dense forest.
“Ever since we were displaced, we have neither been able to have full meals, nor drink safe water,” said Prem Bahadur Shahi, chairman of a struggle committee formed by the displaced. As there is no fresh water spout nearby, the villagers have been forced to rely on the muddy water flowing down the Bheri River for drinking purposes.
“Still, we cannot leave this place,” he added. Shahi further said they were facing problems as the government had not permitted them to clear sections of the forest to start farming.
Tika Ram Shahi, a displaced, said the settlers have to brave freezing cold in winter and hailstorm in monsoon. Moreover, a dark future awaits their children as the only school that shifted to Bhatteghari from Simlepani along with the settlers operates only a few days during monsoon. While in winter, the children are not able to attend classes due to freezing cold.
“After the school´s roof was blown away last monsoon, classes were conducted only during the days when there was no rain,” said Tak Bahadur Shahi, principal, Bhairav Primary School. “The winter is around, and the repair works haven´t been fully done. The school is as good as closed,” he added.
The school, where 300 students are enrolled, had a concrete building in Simlepani. But in Bhatteghari, the school is in a pitiable state. Two classrooms have been roofed with corrugated sheets bought with donor money, while the remaining four classrooms are as good as useless.
District Development Officer Yagya Prasad Bhattarai said efforts are afoot to properly settle the villagers in the same location. “We have recommended to the government that the settlers be legally provided land. We hope the government will arrive at a decision soon,” he said.
Related story
Forest guard fire aerial shots to disperse timber smugglers
