Bajura school lying at risk of landslide for years

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Mar. 24: Laxmi Secondary School in Jilli, Badhimalika Municipality-7, Bajura, has been at a high risk of landslides for years. 

The school has been vulnerable to landslides since the continuous rainfall of (July-August) 2021, which triggered landslides above, below and around the school.

During winter, classes were conducted outdoors. And when the monsoon starts, the school is worried about a safe place to conduct teaching-learning activities. Even light rainfall during the monsoon can trigger landslides, raising security concerns for both teachers and students.

The school is situated near the Martadi-Kolti road. In September and October 2021, when a bulldozer was used to repair the nearby road, landslides began to occur around the school area, according to Lal Chandra Jainsi, the headmaster of Laxmi Secondary School. 

Headmaster Jainsi said, “The school is prone to landslides from all directions. We managed to conduct classes during the dry winter, but now the landslide is forcing us to leave the place. But we have nowhere to go. We are deeply worried about where to conduct classes during the monsoon.”

Jainsi said,” Although the concerns about the school's condition have been brought to the attention of local, provincial and federal governments, no action has been taken.”

Additionally, the school is struggling to function effectively as a secondary school as running a secondary school requires adequate physical infrastructure and a playground, he said. 

However, space at the school is limited. If physical infrastructure is built, there will be no room for a playground, and if a playground is made, there will be a shortage of infrastructure, Jainsi said. 

Since 2021, the problem of landslides around the school has been intensifying as a result of road construction, further aggravating already critical conditions.

The school’s condition is dire, and it must be relocated to a safer location. Efforts are underway to move the school to a secure area, according to Badhimalika Municipality Mayor, Amar Khadka.

Devi Prasad Upadhyaya the Information Officer for the Infrastructure Development Office, Achham, said that if development activities have caused damage to the school, drinking water, or other infrastructure, a police report and the school's recommendation will be required for further assessment. 

Necessary actions will then be taken to provide compensation and support, he added.