Belase of Ilam-11 to become a climate adaptive village

By Prem Adhikari,Ilam, Aug. 15: Belase village in Soyak of Ilam Municipality-11 is getting transformed into a climate-adaptive village. 

With the support of the Canadian government, the Ilam Community Development Centre has initiated a process to transform Belase village located near the Mai River into a climate-adaptive village.

A project named 'Minimising the impact of natural and climate change-induced disasters by increasing climate resilience through model climate-adapted villages' will run in the village for eight months.

An awareness generating programme regarding the construction of climate-adapted villages for the local community has been completed in the village. 

Team leader of Namsaling Community Development Centre Hirakaji Ghale, engineer Ghanendra Bhandari, and programme officer Suvodh Niroula provided information about the project amid a programme.

Ward chairman of Ilam Municipality Ward No. 11 Tasi Jawegu informed the locals about the importance of preparedness while implementing climate-resilient construction for climate adaptation.

According to Ghale, some 50 households under the Jhapa-Ilam fast-track road area will be benefited from the programme. The project aims to irrigate the barren land in Belase and implement a climate-adaptive farming system. Local Padam Loktam mentioned that there are numerous plots barren lands in the Mai Khola area of Belase, and with the implementation of an irrigation system, these lands could be turned into green spaces.

Water from the Mai Khola will be transported using solar-powered lifting systems for irrigating the barren land as part of the project. The entire project, estimated at Rs. 6.5 million, will also focus on raising awareness about climate impact, climate-adapted farming systems, and the plan for a climate-adapted village.