Chure Exploitation To Herald Ecological Crisis: Ex-President Dr. Yadav

Janakpurdham / Nov 9: Former President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has pointed out the need to rethink the plan for the construction of folk highway through Chure.

At a dialogue ‘Chure Ko Chintan (Contemplation on Chure)’ organized as part of Nepal Literature Festival at Janakpurdham today, he called for all sides to pay attention on the imminent ecological crisis stemming from perpetual Chure erosion.

The ongoing construction of highway through Chure and excessive use of machines such as excavators have resulted in drying up of water sources and disappearance of animals from their habitats, the ex-President claimed.

He also suggested implementing he development plans keeping in mind the sensitivity of the areas bearing 60 percent of total population and pocket area of grains of Nepal.

He also demanded immediate actions to stop activities leaving Terai-Madhes in inundation. “It is unfortunate to construct airport in Nijgadh without carrying out scientific study”, he said, underlining the need to reassess the plan of building airport by chopping off standing green trees.

The ex-President also urged the government to rethink on the expansion of railway by ruining forest area.

He also went on saying that there was a need for formulating separate Act in line with the Master Plan outlined by experts; team for the conservation of Chure region, including rivers.

Likewise, former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal also echoed the former President’s remarks noting that the myopic planning has heralded crisis in Chure. He highlighted the need of framing master plan of the entire country.

The complication has been resulted due to unrealistic thinking in regard to the construction of several highways, he said, adding, “Only three highways are enough for our country, making plans ignoring this reality would create problem”.

He also highlighted the need to put in place the plan for constructing Nijgadh Airport without causing effects to main forest.

The former Prime Minster also called for attention from all sides to conserve the Chure and demanded systemic changes for this.