BIRGUNJ, JUNE 8
A demonstration was staged in Birgunj today protesting the central government's budgetary provision allowing excavation in the Churiya belt. The demonstration was organised by Nepal Student Union Thakurram Campus Unit Committee in front of the college.
Lately, after the government, through its annual budgetary policies and programmes, declared it would allow excavation of sand, gravel and stones in the Churiya belt, the announcement has drawn criticism from across the country.
Most of those against the budgetary provision argue that the decision to open excavation in the sensitive Chure belt will ultimately destroy the entire Churiya region and also spell disaster for the Tarai belt.
Participants chanted slogans against the government and urged it to protect the sensitive Churiya range.
"The government policy of earning money by trading in sand, stones and gravel is clearly an anti-national decision.
Such decision will surely cause desertification of the Tarai belt. It will also create shortage of drinking water in the plains," said the unit Chair Manoj Sah.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 9, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
