Three private sector organizations on Tuesday, February 4, urged all stakeholders to safeguard Nepal’s investment climate amid protests against the Pathibhara Cable Car Project in eastern Nepal.
The indigenous Limbu community, which has opposed the project from the outset, has recently intensified demonstrations. The foundation stone was laid last November despite resistance from local groups.
Read: Why is the Pathibhara Cable Car Project Facing Opposition?
The project, to be developed by Pathibhara Devi Mukkumlung Cable Car Darshan Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of IME Group, now faces uncertainty due to mounting opposition. IME Group’s Chairman, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, also serves as president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), Nepal’s leading private sector body.
Unlike typical disputes over land compensation or financial concerns, this protest stems from religious and cultural objections. The Mukkumlung Conservation Joint Struggle Committee, leading the opposition, argues that the project threatens the cultural and spiritual identity of the Limbu/Yakthumba community, who have inhabited the region for centuries.
A violent confrontation in Taplejung district on January 25 left over two dozen people injured, prompting the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to call for dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully.
The three individuals who are seriously injured sustain bullet wounds, according to the NHRC. They are undergoing treatment at the Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
On Monday, the committee called for strike across nine districts east of the Arun River.
In a joint statement, FNCCI, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) criticized the strike for disrupting education, economic activities, and the overall investment climate.
“We urge all stakeholders to take this issue seriously, as such actions send negative signals to domestic and foreign investors,” the statement read.
The organizations emphasized that the private sector has already invested billions in Nepal’s tourism industry, creating employment opportunities. They asserted that the cable car project is designed to improve accessibility for visitors, including senior citizens and children, while promoting religious, cultural, and adventure tourism.
Additionally, they believe the project will boost local agriculture and handicrafts.
Obstruction and external interference hinder national development, the statement continued, urging local communities and stakeholders to resolve the dispute through dialogue and embrace the project’s benefits.
(With inputs from RSS)
