KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today directed the government authorities to ensure food sovereignty of people which is also ensured by the Interim Constitution.

A division bench of Justices Bala Ram KC and Krishna Prasad Upadhayaya directed the government to set up a permanent mechanism in this regard.

Interpreting Article 18 (3) of the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007, the bench directed the government to be sensitive over the right of the people while formulating plans and policies of the government.

The Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet and finance and forest ministries have been told to set up permanent committee to ensure the food sovereignty for the citizens where wild animals destroy the crops near wildlife conservation areas.

As per the demand of the locals of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), the apex court directed the government to provide compensation to them for destroying sugarcane harvest that was demolished by the wild animals earlier.

The bench was responding to a joint writ petition filed by 33 permanent residents those living in the surrounding areas of the KTWR. They had demanded that the apex court order authorities to provide compensation to their sugarcane harvest destroyed by the wild animals of the reserve.

"Since the owner is supposed be compensated for the damage inflicted, the government is liable to provide compensation to the victim," the bench observed.

The bench also directed the government to promulgate a suitable legislation in this regard and to set up a permanent committee in district concerned, where the conservation areas are in existence, to provide compensation to the local residents.

The bench told the authorities to set up such committees under the chairmanship of CDO, the other members of which will be the representatives from DDC, DVC and the respective conservation office, among others.