Chure committee has spent Rs 15 billion in 10 years: What are outcomes?

KATHMANDU, MARCH 12: Since its establishment a decade ago, the President Chure-Terai Madhes Conservation Development Committee has spent Rs 15 billion on conservation efforts. A review is currently underway to assess the outcomes of this public expenditure.

Formed on June 16, 2014, the committee had spent Rs 14.96 billion as of July 16, 2024. According to the committee, financial progress stands at 88.93% while physical progress is 91.84% during this period.

Human resource and organizational structure

The committee has 124 sanctioned positions, including six office-bearers receiving monthly perks and benefits. However, only 86 positions are currently filled. The central office is based in Lalitpur, with program implementation units in Salakpur, Janakpur, Chitwan, Butwal, and Lamki.

Key achievements

Highlighting the committee’s progress, Chair Dr. Kiran Poudel shared the following accomplishments:

• Multi-year crop expansion in 1,459 locations and 166 hectares of hilly farmland
• Greenery promotion across 5,230 hectares
• Production and distribution of 29.349 million saplings
• Construction of 412 km of embankments and 162 hectares of green belts
• Reconstruction of 139 wetland lakes and 628 water-harvesting ponds
• Conservation of 548 water sources

Despite these achievements, budget constraints and workforce shortages have hindered full implementation of the master plan, according to Dr. Poudel.

Challenges and criticism

The Chure region spans 37 districts and 325 local levels across seven provinces. It faces severe environmental threats due to low topography, migration, climate-related risks, and wildfires.

While the committee was established to promote natural resource conservation, ecological sustainability, and poverty reduction, it has been embroiled in controversies and challenges since its inception. The committee has frequently complained of political interference and has faced allegations of corruption and irregularities.

Recently, two office-bearers were relieved of their positions following a court order citing qualification-related issues. In response to ongoing concerns, the government is forming a task force to seek input from various stakeholders for the committee’s restructuring.

Opposition from community groups

The Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN) has opposed the committee since its formation, citing lack of community participation. FECOFUN President Thakur Bhandari criticized the committee’s approach, stating:

"It has curtailed the rights of indigenous people. The committee should be dissolved—until that happens, Chure’s destruction will continue."

Expert opinions and recommendations

Founding Chair Rameshwor Khanal acknowledged the committee’s contributions but stressed the need for:

• Adequate budget allocation for master plan implementation
• Sufficient human resource management
• A dedicated law on Chure conservation
• Community representation in the committee
• Coordination with provincial governments and stakeholders

Similarly, Chure expert Dr. Vijay Singh Dunwar emphasized that Chure conservation is vital for the future of Terai-Madhes. He warned that ongoing erosion could turn the land into a desert and echoed the call for a Chure Conservation Act.