Kathmandu:

The history of Bajura shows that a long time ago, this area was governed by Jumla State and was popular for the wide variety of birds and other wildlife. The King of Jumla then asked that he be presented with a male eagle or ‘Royal Baaz’ from this area. However, the people were only successful in trapping the female bird or ‘Jhurra Baaz’, which they presented to the King. Hence, the place got the name ‘Bazurra kot’, which was later distorted to Bajura.

The district of Bajura is situated between 290 18’ and 290 59’ North latitude in the Seti Zone of the Far Western Region. It covers a total area of 2,021 km. To the south of the district are Accham and Kalikot, to the north Humla, and in the west Bajhang, and Mugu and Kalikot in the east.

Most of the land in the district is without organic matter and is less fertile. The eastern and western areas of the district have high mountains, with small valleys and lower plains on the lower parts. Around 76 per cent of the area lie at very high slopes of 30 degrees, which is unsuitable for agriculture. Some parts of the district are suitable for multiple cultivations, while major parts are either rocks or forests. About 48.8 per cent of land in Bajura are covered by forests.

Geographically Bajura has high mountains and is full of natural beauties. Badimalika is one of the taller mountains in this district and is very famous for its religious importance.

The district does not lack places of tourist attraction. Martadi, the district headquarters, is accessible by road via Dhangadi to Safebagar by public transport, and then two days trekking.

Martadi can also be reached via Chainpur of Bajhang. It requires a two-day walk through the border of Khaptad area. Bajua has only one airport in operation known as ‘Kolti’, but one will need a day walk to Martadi from there.

As a tourist destination or as a religious pilgrimage site, Bajura is very famous as Badimalika, Nateswori, Kaptad National Park, Chhede Daha, Buddi Ganga, Malagad, Ekdigaad, Jethi Bahurani lekh and Karnali river are all part of Bajura. All these places are famous for natural beauty.

Despite such significant landmarks, Bajura has been left out of the mainstream development for a very long time. There could be a number of reasons behind this.

One of the major reasons is its remoteness, lack of commitment of politicians, and not being connected to Nepal’s road network. The Safebagar-Martadi Highway was started 11 years ago, but it still has not been completed because of local politicisation of the problem and insurgency. It has to be noted here that this highway is supposed to connect Humla and Mugu districts too.

The people of Bajura are historically and culturally rich, and friendly and simple. But due to poverty, diseases and high illiteracy rate, they are facing a number of problems. Most of the adult population are going to Indian cities for employment opportunities.

Bajura district lacks education and health facilities, industries, and the basic needs of people are not met. Therefore, people here suffer from poverty and unemployment. It looks like the Far Western Region has become a dumping ground for unhygienic/expired foods and medicine.

The district is rich in biodiversity along with the non timber forests products (NTFP). Here is a great opportunity for the forestry programme in Nepal to support the government’s poverty alleviation agenda, which is key to addressing the issues of social justice and economically and socially disadvantaged groups. There is a need for a special programme on sustainable use of forests products and especially NTFP for income generation activities in such remote areas. The District Forestry Plan should thus focus on more such activities.

The district’s major attractions are its water resources, which are the prime resources for power generation. There are many waterfalls, which could be easily used for micro-hydro electricity, which could be great support to the local people.

Due to the low food production in the district, the people of Bajura have to depend on other districts for most of the food supply and also because Bajura is isolated from the road network. Most of the food supplies are transported on backs of sheep/goats and khacchar to the district, and quite a few times food has been airlifted too.

The basic human rights of the people have been ignored as the politicians do not seem to be fully committed to the development of this area. Similarly, bureaucratic people posted

in this area think that is a punishment being posted here because of the district’s remoteness.

In conclusion, Bajura has been forgotten by the policy makers. Thus, there is need to give the district priority for the uplift of the Bajurali people by developing the area.

Tourist packages, micro-hydro electricity, income generation activities, education, health and development of road network could be very helpful for the uplift of the life of local people.