Bajura, March 23

Locals of remote Rudhi village in Sappta VDC of Bajura have been reeling under acute food crisis for the last three years after cultivated land turned barren due to prolonged drought.

There are around 156 households in Rudhi village.

Dil Bahadur Dhami, a local of the village, said long drought had turned the land barren as all the villagers were dependent on rainwater for irrigation. “The villagers face acute food crisis all 12 months a year,” he added.

Another local Bir Bahadur Karki said the land had turned barren after landslides swept away the irrigation canal three years ago. “The canal, built with a budget of Rs 20 million, has yet to be repaired and there has not been any rainfall till now,” he said.

He added that the villagers could hardly manage their daily meals.

Karki said the locals were compelled to reach district headquarters Martadi and Kolti VDC to buy food stuff. He said many local youths had migrated to India in search of job opportunities and better living. Rudhi village is three days’ walk from Martadi.

Archana Karki, another local, said they were unable to provide sufficient food to their children. “We are compelled to sleep with empty stomachs for many days,” she lamented.

Women and children of the village are said to be suffering from malnutrition and anaemia due to lack of sufficient and nutritious food. “We do not get to eat green vegetables or fruits despite the fact that these are essential to fight against malnutrition and anaemia and other food deficiency related diseases,” said local Bina Bhul.

Chatur Bom, a local, said the government had failed to take any initiative though the villagers had frequently requested food security and landslide control measures. “The state has simply turned a deaf ear to the villagers’ plight,” he said.

Director Ashok Singh of Food-first Information and Action Network, Nepal, said Rudhi villagers were deprived of basic human rights. “Eating nutritious food is a far cry for the villagers at a time when they are reeling under food crisis,” he added.

The village is also under great risk of landslides. As many 23 families were displaced after a dry landslide five months ago.