Kathmandu, June 25: Representatives of the families displaced due to the expansion of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve have submitted a memorandum today for land compensation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Handing over the memo to the PM at his official residence in Baluwatar today, representatives from the displaced families, including 95-year-old Kamala Kumari Pokhrel, recalled a gentleman agreement with the government to provide land in exchange for their properties which were acquired 48 years ago when the Reserve was expanded.
Regarding the issue, the Government of Nepal formed a high-level commission led by Rakam Chemjong on February 18, 2024, with the authority to resolve the problems of the displaced in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. This commission suggested providing land compensation to 75 families that were entitled to replacement land in Letang Municipality, Morang.
Manohar Narayan Shrestha, a former member of the high-level commission participating in the delegation, said that the government should quickly address the demand for the implementation of the report.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli was also informed about the Supreme Court’s decision on April 17, 1989 which also included an order to provide substitute land to the displaced families.
After receiving the notification, PM Oli instructed Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal to study the issue and provide an appropriate response to the displaced families within 15 days.
