Olena Residents Demand Protection to their Settlement

By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, Feb 4: Locals of Olena located in Balimalika Municipality- 4 have claimed that election candidates must take responsibility to protect their habitation from flood and landslide risks.

The local people raised the demand after candidates contesting the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 reached at village to seek votes.

Olena residence facing serious floods and landslide problems since 2010. 

 About 13 households are living in the area.

Residents continuously worry about finding shelter during the monsoon season.

Residents have applied for the election period to demand firm commitments from candidates to protect the settlement.

Olena settlement lies below the Olena road section of the Sanfe–Martadi road corridor. 

Kamal Nath, a resident of Rila in Badimalika Municipality–4, said that repeated appeals to political leaders for relocation brought no results.

Candidates continuously visit the village during the election period.

 ‘We tell them clearly that we will vote only after they commit to protecting our settlement,’ Nath said.

Residents have previously approached local, provincial and federal governments. However, authorities have not responded to demand for relocation so far.

Nath said the entire community would vote for any candidate who promises to protect the settlement, build protective barriers.

More than 135 settlements in Bajura face flood and landslide risks. 

High-risk areas include Karnali, Dansangu and Bichchhya in the eastern northern region, and Budhiganga, Bhaunera, Rapka Selaghat, Balde, Sera, Barjugad, Bajedi, Mustola, Dogadi, Pata and Naina in lower regions.

During the monsoon season, residents in these settlements live under tarpaulin shelters in open fields. 

Despite the continuous difficulties, authorities have not initiated relocation measures.

The Bajura District Administration Office said it has sent official correspondence to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting the relocation of Olena settlement.