Conservation campaign triggers Bajura-Humla territorial dispute

By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, May 24: A conservation and tourism promotion campaign launched in Ranisain of Himali Rural Municipality has sparked a territorial dispute between residents of Bajura and the neighbouring Humla district.

The dispute emerged after Himali Rural Municipality began promoting Ranisain, located in Ward No. 3, as a tourist destination and initiated conservation efforts in the area.

Situated at an altitude of around 2,500 metres, Ranisain remains cold and covered by snow throughout the year. The area has recently started attracting both domestic and foreign tourists.

Locals said that the municipality accelerated conservation and promotional activities to bring wider attention to the previously remote and less accessible Ranisain.

However, residents from neighbouring Humla have claimed ownership of the area, leading to controversy over the boundary.

Raj Bahadur Bhandari, Information Officer of Himali Rural Municipality, said Ranisain and the nearby Lamapata area fall within the jurisdiction of the municipality.

He accused people from Humla of creating unnecessary disputes after the municipality intensified efforts to develop the area for tourism.

According to him, the disagreement escalated after a temporary police post was established in Lamapata to control the illegal collection and smuggling of valuable medicinal herbs from nearby forests.

“This area is rich in medicinal herbs,” Bhandari said. For years, herbs worth millions of rupees were allegedly smuggled illegally. After the police post was set up to control such activities, disputes over the border began surfacing, he added.

He maintained that local residents of Himali Rural Municipality-3 have historically used the area and said the official boundary clarification process would confirm this.

Chief District Officer of District Administration Office Bajura, Dorendra Niraula, said the government has started procedures to resolve the dispute. “We consulted the survey office regarding the issue, but border-related matters fall under the jurisdiction of the federal ministry,” he said.

According to him, a formal letter has already been sent to the concerned federal authority requesting a prompt resolution of the dispute.