SIRAHA, Feb 16: With the House of Representatives (HoR) election round the corner, the people working in the sector of forest and environment and locals alike have suggested to the political parties and candidates that they made conservation of Chure region a major election agenda.
As the deforestation was causing desertification with multiple hazards throughout Madhesh Province, the parties and candidates in the upcoming HoR election should prioritize the conservation of forest and environment, thereby protecting the Chure region. If the Chure region is ignored by political parties and contenders, desertification would continue fast, causing severe threat to humanity, they warned.
Environmentalist Dinesh Yadav said, "All three tiers of government must keep Chure conservation in priority. The political parties must make their views and roles clear through this election how they conserve Chure. If the Chure loses the originality of its topography and specificities, it would be difficult to restore it."
Local governments allowing mining in Chure to generate income
Some 15 percent of the fertile land in Terai-Madhesh is adversely affected by floods and erosion, Yadav said, adding that the federal government also remained apathetic towards this pressing issue. Election is a significant time to dwell on it, according to him.
A local from Lahan-17, Nepali Sah, expressed worry, "Chure region is fast depleting in recent decades. It has resulted in rising impacts of floods and inundations in Madhesh plains. The parties' election manifestos must reflect it and work ahead accordingly."
Another local Lagan Lal Chaudhary, who also heads a committee on gully management, said it is urgent to curb illegal extraction of stones, pebbles and sand from Chure area. However, the election candidates did not seem concerned over it, he said.
Moreover, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Siraha, Narendra Mahaseth, viewed Chure conservation has a direct bearing on sustainable agriculture here, which further contributes to Madhesh prosperity. So, Chure conservation must be a top priority, he urged the parties. Chure protection is the protection of water sources, the protection of land and the balance of the ecosystem, he underscored.
Another local Anil Chaudhary also viewed they had expected achievable commitments from election candidates on Chure conservation.
