These organizations affiliated to indigenous communities such as Mewahang, Yamphu, Kulung, Singwa Bhote and Sherpa have handed over a memorandum to the government on Monday to oppose the decision, which, they say, undermined the rights of indigenous people, and violates the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention Number 169. [break]
They have also warned of agitation if the government doesn´t reconsider its decision.
According to Rajdhan Kulung, a central member of Nepal Kirat Kulung Language and Culture Development Organization, the presence of armed security personnel will certainly bolster security inside the park, but it will also ruin the natural habitat and culture of the indigenous people.
“The government should have at least consulted with us once before taking the decision. Other local residents are also disappointed by the move,” added Khulung. “When development and expansion of the park should have been their priority, the government is intended towards ruining the natural habitat of the indigenous people,” added Khulung.
The organizations have demanded the government to establish a security mechanism in coordination with the indigenous people to conserve the wildlife by control smuggling and poaching.
Meanwhile, officials at the park´s office at Khathbari said that they have no knowledge about any such decision taken by the government. “So far, we have received no legal document or any information regarding the posting of the army personnel inside the park,” said, Abhisek Poudel, an official.
The park, which is spread across 2,330 square meters, covers 10 VDCs of Sankhuwasaba and 2 VDCs of Solukhambu districts.
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