KATHMANDU, AUGUST 1
Although the government recently declared Madhes a drought-affected area, youths from the region protested in Kathmandu, saying the government is not doing enough to address drought problems in Madhes - traditionally known as Nepal's rice bowl.
The youths expressed anger over the federal and provincial governments focusing only on short-term measures like installing deep boring systems, but said that alone would not address the problems.
Sujit Pandit, who organised today's protest, told THT that the government should also unveil long-term plans to address drought problems and that unchecked exploitation of the Chure range was also a factor leading to the current crisis, which should be addressed.
Protesting youths chanted slogans like 'Deep boring is not the solution', and 'Ensure sustainable solutions and declare relief packages for affected farmers'.
Pandit said that although there was the option of irrigating parched land from many rivers that cross the Madhes region, the government was not doing anything about it. He said in some Madhes districts, people were not getting drinking water due to depleted water levels.
Protesters carried placards with slogans demanding 24-hour free electricity for farmers and direct cash compensation for affected farmers in Madhes. The youths gathered under the banner of the 'Madhes Agriculture-Water Movement Struggle Committee'.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Management Januka Pandit said that the ministry was closely monitoring the situation in Madhes and if it rained in the next two weeks, drought could still be managed.
"However, if it does not rain in the next three weeks, the ministry will encourage people to go for alternative crops - different varieties of rice or other crops."
According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Management on July 29, Madhes Province had achieved paddy plantation of only 51.82 per cent, the lowest so far. The total paddy plantation in Nepal stood at 78.84 per cent. Province-wise, Sudurpaschim had the highest rate with 98.94 per cent, followed by Lumbini Province at 92.04 per cent, Karnali Province at 91.38 per cent, Bagmati Province at 87.19 per cent, Gandaki Province at 84.53 per cent, and Koshi Province at 80.39 per cent. Nationwide, the rate of paddy plantation was 78.84 per cent.
