KAILALI, June 23: The Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City has unanimously endorsed two bills aimed at preserving and promoting the Bhalmansha customary practice of the Tharu community-2083 BS and another bill designed to protect and develop the Padhana and Bhalbhansa customs of the Ranatharu community-2083 BS.
The 15th Municipal Council of the local government concluded on Sunday, unanimously endorsed the documents aiming to recognize, promote and archive the customary practices of the Tharu and Ranatharu communities.
Customary practices causing harm to some groups and people
With this development, a legal foundation has been established at the local level for the institutionalization of these customs, according to Deputy Mayor Kandakala Rana.
The Bhalbhansa and Padhana customs are being practiced as significant traditional institutions for fostering collective organisation, social harmony, justice delivery, development works, cultural conservation, and for the functioning of society.
The bills are expected to support the implementation of the State's responsibilities to protect and promote the cultural rights, indigenous knowledge, skills, practices and institutional structures of the indigenous communities as guaranteed by the constitution.
The local government believes that the enactment of the new legal instruments will help preserve the cultural heritage of these communities and integrate their traditional social institutions into local governance and development processes.
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