All villages will be fully electrified in a year: Malla

Himali Rural Municipality is located in a remote area of Bajura. It was formed by merging former Bichya, Rugin and Bandhu village development committees. Currently, the municipality consists of seven wards. According to the 2011 census, it has 1,722 households and a total population of 10,309.  

Govindra Bahadur Malla from the Nepali Congress was elected as the chairman of Himali Rural Municipality in both the 2017 and 2022 local elections. Under his leadership, significant improvements have been made in the sectors of health, education, roads, drinking water, electricity and agriculture. Our correspondent Sher Bahadur Sarki interviewed the chairman. Excerpts.

Most of the villages in the municipality are geographically distant. What is the current state of road connectivity in these areas?  

From 2017 to March 2025, we have extended roads to wards 4, 5, 6 and 7. However, we have not yet been able to reach wards 1, 2 and 3. Currently, road construction is progressing rapidly in these remaining wards.  

In Gumba village, located in Ward No. 3, there wasn’t even a walking trail before. Due to the lack of roads, locals needed stick support to walk. After 2022, we constructed a dirt road, making travel easier for the residents.  

However, road access is still lacking in some areas. Due to the high cost of road construction, it will take more time. Nevertheless, we are committed to connecting all villages in the municipality to the road network by 2026.

Previously, locals depended on river for drinking water. Has this situation improved or do villages now have access to tap water?  

By 2023, all villages in the municipality had access to drinking water. However, due to the earthquake that struck Bajura last year, the water sources in Neta in Ward No. 1 and Rumdi in Ward No. 2 dried up, leading to water scarcity in these areas.  

To address this, we have allocated a budget to bring water from alternative sources. The agreement for this project has been finalised and work will commence soon. Once completed, all villages will again have access to drinking water.  

What is the current state of education in the municipality?  

There are 22 schools in operation, including eight secondary schools and 14 primary ones. Previously, these schools faced severe infrastructure shortages. However, since prioritising education in 2018, all schools now have adequate physical infrastructure.  

Last year’s floods and landslides damaged the Kiudi and Kunna Basic Schools in Borta. The municipality has allocated funds for their reconstruction.  

In the past, the results of the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) were not promising. However, with improved school infrastructure, better educational materials and a well-managed teaching staff, SEE results have significantly improved.

A shortage of teachers previously affected the quality of education. To address this, the municipality has appointed teachers for Mathematics, Science and English. We have also ensured that textbooks are distributed on time, preventing disruptions in education.

In the past, locals struggled to access even basic medicines like paracetamol. What is the current healthcare situation?

Previously, for basic treatment and even minor medications, locals had to travel to Kolti. Their concerns were valid. However, we have made significant strides in the healthcare sector. We have established a basic health centre in every village and appointed 43 additional health workers.  

Health workers now conduct monthly health camps in every village. However, some women neglect their health during pregnancy and seek medical help only at the last moment, leading to cases of childbirth on the way to health centres. The most remote village, Gumba, now also has a basic health centre.  

Given the municipality’s vast geographical area, it can take a full day to reach some villages. Many women give birth on the way to health centres due to long travel distances. This is not due to a lack of healthcare services but because they do not seek medical assistance in time.  

To address this, we have deployed one auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) in each village to monitor pregnant women and provide timely assistance. Each ward now has at least one health centre, with some wards having two. Most health centres are equipped with video X-ray labs. 

In the past, despite having money, locals struggled to buy rice. They had to travel for a month with sheep and horses to other districts just to purchase rice. Has this situation changed?  

Food shortages remain a challenge in this region. However, access to food has improved compared to the past. We have established food supply centres in Kawadi and a food distribution center at the municipality's headquarters in Dhulachaur.

Additionally, we have implemented a vital food security programme. The municipality has launched a reforestation initiative to enhance food security.

In the fiscal year 2021/22, a policy was introduced requiring each of the 22 households in all wards to plant at least five fruit trees per person. In return, they received 5 kg of rice per tree. This initiative has provided some relief from food shortages and continues to be a priority, ensuring that most locals can meet their basic food needs.

What initiatives has the municipality taken to transform the agricultural sector?  

Himali Rural Municipality is well-suited for apple, walnut, pomegranate, mango and lemon cultivation. Given the high income potential from fruit farming, we have distributed free fruit saplings to residents to utilise previously uncultivated land.  

We have also supported locals with cattle and livestock farming by providing assistance for cow, buffalo and goat sheds, as well as subsidies for breeding bulls, oxen and he-goats.  

What programmes have been implemented to protect local crops?  

Traditional crops such as millet, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, beans and oats are grown in this region. To preserve these crops, we have been providing free seeds and technical support to farmers. Furthermore, we have mandated the use of locally produced crops in school midday meal programmes.  

Additionally, we are facilitating the commercialisation and transportation of locally produced crops to different parts of the country.  

What support has been provided to those affected by floods and landslides?  

The local government has allocated 10 per cent of the relief funds, the provincial government 20 per cent and the federal government 60 per cent. Since we cannot manage all aspects ourselves, we have collected data on displaced households and submitted requests to the concerned authorities. However, we have not yet received a response.  

You mentioned plans to establish industries for employment generation. How many people have benefited so far?  

In 2020, we established the Hattibar Industry in Bandhu of Ward No. 7 with a budget of Rs. 108 million. Currently, 16 to 18 young people are employed there.  

Last year, an additional Rs. 850 million was allocated to expand the industry, with plans to provide more job opportunities for unemployed youths in the village.  

Have locals gained access to electricity? 

We have implemented three small hydropower projects and one solar-powered electricity project in Kawadi, Bichya, Baddigad and Pandi. With an investment of approximately Rs. 1 billion, electricity has been provided to all villages except Gumba.  

In the coming years, we aim to make the municipality fully electrified, eliminating darkness.