Birgunj, March 1:

Illegal imports of unpackaged rock salts from India continue in the border areas of Terai due to the open border. Huge amount of unpackaged salts enter Nepal via the open borders of Parsa, Bara, Rautahat and Sarlahi everyday and the residents of rural regions of Terai are compelled to use these salts due to the unavailability of iodised salt.

Though the Salt Trading Corporation (STC) has launched many publicity campaigns for greater use of iodised salt in the rural region, the iodised salt is not available in these

areas. “We don’t get iodised salt in any of the shops here’, teacher Raj Kumar Patel of Langadi VDC said: “Only organising street dramas and telling villagers to use iodised salt is not enough, the salt must be made available in the villages.”

Journalist Guru Gautam of Bara said the villagers still use rock salts due to the unavailability of iodised salt and lack of awareness among people on the benefits of iodine.