SC bars land distribution to Kamaiyas

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today issued interim order to the government not to implement its one-year-old decision to distribute forest to freed Kamaiyas.

A single bench of Justice Prakash Wosti issued the order following today's hearing. The bench directed the authorities not to implement the decision till the final verdict in the case, which sought the apex court intervention.

The bench directed the authorities - the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Land Reforms, the Ministry of Forest and the Freed Kamaiyas Rehabilitation Management Committee - not to distribute the land for freed Kamaiyas for their rehabilitation.

The bench also directed the authorities to furnish a written explanation on why such a decision has been taken hastily within 15 days.

Advocates Madhak Kumar Basnet and Uddav Chaulagain accused the government for inspiring deforestation. In spite of protecting the land, which has now come down to 29 per cent from the earlier 40 percent, the government is encouraging deforestation.

Govinda Dahal moved the apex court on behalf of the Nepal Forest Technical Association challenging the government decision.