Kathmandu, Aug 23 : Minister for Forest and
Environment, Pradip Yadav, has said the government was serious to solve the
problems facing the people displaced by the Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve.
Receiving a preliminary report
submitted by the Committee formed to solve the problems of people displaced by
the Reserve, Minister Yadav informed that the government would study the report
thoroughly and take initiative on it by holding discussions with wider sectors.
"The displaced ones have been facing severe problems for not getting the
compensation to their lands. I make immediate efforts to solve the
problems," he reiterated.
Similarly, he directed the
subordinate bodies to collect more information about the displaced people.
Commission Chairperson Raj Kumar Rai
submitted the preliminary report to the Minister on the activities conducted by
the Commission so far.
In the report, the government has suggested providing lands for housing to those who are displaced by the Koshitappu Wildlife
Reserve, while additional study was needed on other people.
The government had acquired more
than 4,000 bighas of land to expand the Reserve in 2033BS. Although the people
were then assured of compensation to their land, they had not gotten it yet.
Expert advisor to the Commission,
Shyam Lamsal, informed that although the displaced ones were paying land tax,
they were not able to use their land. On the other hand, other outsiders were
capturing their lands.
According to the Reserve-displaced
people, 21 commissions were formed so far to solve the problems, but in
vain. (RSS)