Kalikhola, June 6:

Monsoon is yet to set in, but the eastern region of Taplejung district is already facing an acute food shortage.

Locals of Kalikhola, Sadeba, Surumkhin, Adakhop, Limbudin and other areas of the district are grappling with the problem and left to think on how they could manage two square meals a day.

Though Kalikhola VDC neighbours Sikkim state in India, locals are barred from crossing the border and buy goods there.

“People in the area are compelled to go to jungles to collect food,” said Santosh Baniya of Kalikhola VDC. Locals have to buy food as rice is not produced here.

“Stocks of maize have depleted and we are forced to buy foodstuff from other areas,” said Indra Bahadur Rai.

Locals bring in food items in the VDCs on Yaks from Tharpu area of the district.

“The price of foodstuff is very high due to lack of transportation facilities. Yaks, the only means of transport, cannot walk in the rainy season,” said Khem Kumari Rai of Kalikhola VDC.

“Locals will continue to face a food shortage until transportation facilities are arranged for,” Narayan Chapagain, the former Kalikhola VDC chairman, said, adding: “The government should act now and do something about the problems of people here.”

Saying that people here reel under acute shortage of food every year, District Development Officer Khadga Bahadur Chapagain said: “Work is on to build a road from Khalikola to Chyangthapu VDC. Food shortage problem will end after the construction of the road.”

“We cannot supply food in the areas as the local depot of the Nepal Food Corporation is inactive,” said Narendra KC, chief of the Taplejung Food Corporation Office.