The President Chure-Terai Madhes Conservation Development Committee has spent Rs 15 billion over the past 10 years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its initiatives. A review is now underway to assess the outcomes of this expenditure.

Established on June 16, 2014, the committee had spent Rs 14.96 billion by the end of Fiscal Year 2023/24 (mid-July 2024). According to the committee, financial progress stood at 88.93 percent, while physical progress reached 91.84 percent. Of the 124 employee positions, including six office-bearers receiving monthly perks and benefits, 86 positions are currently filled.

Sharing the committee’s progress, Chair Dr. Kiran Poudel highlighted key achievements, including the extension of multi-year crops to 1,459 locations and 166 hectares of agricultural land in the hill areas. The committee also implemented a greenery promotion program covering 5,230 hectares and produced and distributed 29.35 million saplings.

"We have constructed 412 km of embankments, developed 162 hectares of green belt, reconstructed 139 wetland lakes, built 628 water harvesting ponds, and conserved 548 water sources," Dr. Poudel stated. However, he admitted that a lack of adequate budget and human resources has hindered the committee from fully implementing its master plan.

According to the 61st annual report of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), the committee has fallen short of key targets. Little progress has been made in mapping forests across 36 districts, preventing encroachment in 14,150 hectares of forest, and managing grazing in 4,800 farmer groups. Additionally, efforts to expand multi-year crops in 7,265 hectares of farmlands in the hill areas and manage 165,675 hectares of forest have stalled.

The committee has also failed to regulate river-borne waste in 180 rivers, relocate 20,505 households from sensitive areas, extend domestic solar energy to 38,484 households, and increase micro-hydropower capacity to 261 kW. Out of 89 targeted wetlands, only 65 have seen progress, while integrated river system resource development plans have been prepared for only 47 out of 64 rivers. Similarly, biogas expansion has reached just 1,917 households, far below the target of 81,137.

The OAG report concluded that the committee has not achieved its expected outcomes within the first five years of implementing its master plan. It recommended that programs be executed more effectively to ensure that set goals are met.

With its central office in Lalitpur, the committee operates program implementation units in Salakpur, Janakpur, Chitwan, Butwal, and Lamki. The Chure region spans 37 districts and 325 local levels across seven provinces. The region faces environmental threats due to low-lying topography, migration, climate-related risks, and forest fires.

The committee was formed to reduce poverty by conserving natural resources, promoting sustainable management, and enhancing ecological services. However, it has faced multiple controversies and challenges, including allegations of political interference, corruption, and irregularities. Recently, two office-bearers lost their positions following a court order questioning their qualifications.

In response to ongoing concerns, the government is forming a task force to gather recommendations for restructuring the committee. The Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN) has opposed the committee since its inception, citing a lack of community participation. FECOFUN President Thakur Bhandari criticized the committee’s work, arguing that it has failed to engage local communities. "It has curtailed the rights of indigenous peoples. As long as it exists, Chure will continue to degrade," he asserted.

Rameshwor Khanal, the committee’s founding chair, defended its role in Chure conservation. He urged the government to allocate sufficient funds, hire necessary personnel, and introduce a Chure-specific law to enhance the committee’s effectiveness. He also emphasized the need for coordination with provincial governments and stakeholders.

Chure expert Dr. Bijay Singh Dunwar underscored the region's importance for the sustainability of the Terai-Madhes. He warned that continued degradation could lead to desertification and echoed calls for a Chure-specific law. -- RSS