Bajura man living in forest for eight years

By Jeevan Kaila,Kolti, Apr. 14: In the middle of a forest, on boulders near a river, Sher Bahadur Rokaya has built a small hut surrounded by thorny branches. Sher Bahadur does not know how many times he has reconstructed the shelter, but it has been eight years since he started living in the forest in Budhinanda Municipality of Bajura district.

Sher Bahadur, who is now 36-year-old, is a permanent resident of Ward No. 7 of Budhinanda. He has a father who has a house. The family also possess a field, but with the father in his old age and sick, and Sher Bahadur living in the forest, their farmland has been left barren for years.

According to local Lal Bahadur Rokaya, Sher Bahadur started living in the forest after he returned from India. 

"Sher Bahadur went to India in search of job. He found a job in the construction sector and worked there for eight years. He was not paid properly and was abused a lot by the employer. He was mentally and physically ill when he returned home," said Lal Bahadur.

Since then, Sher Bahadur has been living in the forest. He collects firewood and sells it to make some money. He also provides some earning to his father, who works in other's houses for some money as well.

"Many times, Sher Bahadur’s money gets stolen," said Lal Bahadur.

Despite extreme weather, such as scorching heat, storm and rain, and risks of wild animal attack, Sher Bahadur has been continuously living under the open sky in the wild.

"Had the family's economic condition been good, Sher Bahadur could have received essential treatment and would have been fit now. But there is no one to care for him," said Lal Bahadur.

Meanwhile, Ashok Dani, ward chairman of Ward No. 7 of Budhinanda, said that the municipality had been reported about Sher Bahadur’s mental condition and requested for help.

"We got informed about Sher Bahadur after a long time since he started living in the forest. The ward does not have money to afford his treatment," said Dani.

Nevertheless, Budhinanda's Mayor Janak Kumar Bohora said that the ward chairman had not informed him about Sher Bahadur yet.

"But now the municipality shall inquire about Sher Bahadur’s condition and rescue him at the earliest," said Bohora.