Kathmandu, February 18:

Political leaders today urged the government to take initiate initiatives for the development of the Karnali region. They also called for the optimum utilisation of the region’s natural resources.

Though the region is rich in natural resources, the government has not been able to harness them, they said at a programme on ‘Nepal of the 21st Century and the Restructuring of the Karnali’.

Keshav Badaal, a member of the central committee of the CPN-UML, said, “The Karnali region should be developed through the maximum utilisation of its natural resources.”

He also called on the locals of the region to take initiatives for the development of the region.

“The Karnali region locals should utilise the available resources and produce products that can compete in the international market.”

Dr Narayan Khadka, a central committee member of the Nepali Congress-Democratic, said, “The Karnali region is underdeveloped compared to other regions.”

The optimal utilisation of resources available in the region can pave the way for the making of a new Nepal, he said.

Lekh Raj Bhatta, a member of the Interim Legislative Parliament, said, “We have proposed that Karnali be made an autonomous region. For the development of Karnali, the local people should get an opportunity to make decisions.”

Rabindra KC, the central deputy president, Loktantrik Ganatantra Morcha Nepal, said, “The Karnali region should properly utilise its resources.”