Karnali Needs Better Infrastructures

By PARMESHWAR DEVKOTA

Seen from the yardstick of modern-day development, the Karnali Province is far behind the other six provinces of this country. But the Karnali Province is bigger than other provinces in terms of geography. In addition, it is also rich in civilisation and culture. It is a place where the modern Nepali language was born.

The Karnali Province spreads from the Chure range in the south to the snowy mountains in the north which adjoins the Tibetan plateau. It covers a total area of 27, 984 square kilometres. Similarly, as it spreads from south to north, it has three climatic zones. The weather in Surkhet is hot while Jajarkot and Dailekh have moderate temperatures. But the remaining districts - Kalikot, Jumla, Humla, Mugu and Dolpa - endure freezing cold most of the time. Three climatic variations mean it has vivid topography, flora and fauna.

The current Nepali language developed in the Sinja area of Jumla. Bharat, recitations of the achievements made by the warriors and kings, began here. Some of the senior citizens of the Dholi community still recite it. Baliraj, son-in-law of Malaya Barma and husband of Mala Devi, became the king of Jumla around 1448 AD.

He has been credited with having started Deusi-Bhailo during the Tihar festival. Revellers always mention the name of Bali Raja while playing Deusi-Bhailo. They chant: “Hami Tesai Aayanau, Bali Rajale Pathaya” (we did not come here on our own, King Bali sent us.)

Although experienced and national-level leaders ruled the province, its human development indicators, especially in the health, food, hygiene and transport sectors, are disappointing. It has numerous hills and dales and the shortest route to Kailash Manasarobar and Rara Lake. Air travel has been risky due to the frequent weather changes. Likewise, narrow and poor conditions of roads or lack of road access have hindered domestic and foreign tourists from exploring the region. The Nepal Army constructed road that has connected Dunai, the headquarters of Dolpa, to the national road network after years of hard work.

But, Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, is yet to be connected to the national road network as a bridge over the Karnali River at Chuwa Khola of Kharpunath Rural Municipality is yet to be completed. Roads to Jajarkot and the western part of Surkhet are in dilapidated condition.

The Madan Bhandari Highway, which is supposed to connect the eastern part of Doti in Sudurpaschim Province, has been designed with many twists and turns. So it is yet to reach each and every settlement in the Panchapuri and Chaukune rural municipalities in Surket. What is more painful fact is that Birendranagar, the capital city of the Karnali Province, lacks a public transport system. The city, which spreads over 245.6 square kilometres, has seen rapid urbanization because it has of late become a political, commercial and industrial hub. But it is devoid of basic infrastructures such as roads and water supply. Three-seat tempos, owned by individuals, provide the transport service. 

But they charge exorbitant fare. Travellers have to pay Rs. 70 for travelling a three-kilometre distance on the East-West Highway. If you hire them for play in the nearest place, you have to pay a huge amount of money. So, one must bargain well before hiring one of them. As local and provincial leaders travel in state-owned or their own private vehicles, they are unaware of the suffering of the commoners.