Madhes Matters Much

Madhes Province is critical to Nepal in many ways. Known as the breadbasket of the nation, the province contributes over 20 per cent to the nation's total paddy production, over 25 per cent to total maize production, and over 75 per cent to total mango production, among many other agricultural yields. Beyond agriculture, the region is also a crucial industrial hub boasting many factories, including those for leather goods, beverages, fabricated metal products, and paper materials. Madhes is also a religious and cultural hotspot. Home to the ancient Mithila civilisation and major temples, it draws millions of pilgrims and visitors from around the globe annually.  At the same time, despite being rich in resources, it is also the region beset by many ills.  Severe socio-economic and infrastructural issues, along with environmental crises, are holding it back. Uncontrolled mining of riverbed materials and deforestation in the Chure hills have disturbed not only the natural recharge mechanism for underground water but have also led to the drying up of rivers and degradation of fertile land into sand. To make matters worse, the region has recently faced recurring droughts, which have increased in both duration and frequency, keeping farmers awake at night and driving youth away for employment.   

In an effort to address these and more issues bedevilling the province, Prime Minister Balendra Shah held meetings with newly elected lawmakers from the province on Wednesday. The MPs raised a wide range of pressing development and governance concerns, along with persistent structural challenges crippling both their constituencies and the province as a whole. Dominating the discussions were the topics of good governance, controlling corruption, and accelerating infrastructure development, particularly roads and bridges. Environmental protection and border management also featured prominently. Strong concerns were raised about protecting the Chure region, managing border areas effectively, and reopening smaller customs points that were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers also highlighted longstanding social and administrative problems, bringing up the issues faced by loan-shark victims, land disputes, and difficulties service seekers face in government offices such as the CDO and land revenue offices. Additionally, water scarcity, groundwater depletion, and mobile network concerns were discussed. 

After listening to all these grievances, Prime Minister Shah pledged to make concrete efforts to address all of them. Hailing from the province, the Prime Minister must have taken these matters seriously. The Prime Minister himself began his election campaign from Madhes, addressing a huge crowd of Madhesi people in the Maithili language. With deep roots in the region, he is expected to give due priority to it. Indeed, whatever happens in Madhes doesn't stay with it; it ripples across the country. For example, when Madhes suffers from unyielding drought and a plunge in food production, the whole nation faces dire food insecurity. A thriving sugarcane industry there means not only that the sugar supply is steady in Kathmandu or Pokhara, but it is also affordable. Therefore, ensuring Madhes remains healthy is critical. Since the province is hungry for infrastructural development, Madhes is in serious need of large-scale projects that enhance connectivity and ease the transportation of industrial products. Giving a dose of momentum to the long-delayed Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project that aims to irrigate five districts in the province, besides generating electricity, can be a long stride toward this goal. At the same time, it is also vital to ensure that development doesn't come at the cost of the environment. Conservation of the Chure must not take a backseat.