The Butwal Municipality has taken no initiatives to stop encroachment, said Krishna Poudel, president of Sorha-Chhatis Joint Irrigation Committee.[break]
Due to rampant encroachment on the banks of Sorha-Chhatis canal, farmers have been facing difficulty cleaning the canal, said Poudel.
Farmers said they will be forced to take action on their own if the municipality office does not take initiatives to stop encroachment within two weeks.
SCMIS had handed over a memorandum to Butwal Municipality Office on Thursday demanding action against encroachers within two weeks. “If the municipality office doesn´t take any action, we will launch protests.” informed Poudel, adding that buildings have been erected on the encroached land.
The municipality approves the concrete building map without seeking approval from the management of the irrigation system. This has encouraged encroachment, said Poudel.
The Sorha-Chhatis irrigation system irrigates more than 7,000 hectares of land in Rupandehi district.
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