Dang, Feb 26: A proposal has been made to move 10 settlements located in Babai Rural Municipality of Dang, which are situated inside Banke National Park. Specifically, these settlements in wards 1 and 7 of Babai Rural Municipality have been identified for relocation from the park.
The municipality chairperson, Kul Bahadur Khatri, recently submitted this recommendation to the park authorities. Chairperson Khatri emphasized that the settlements of Kiureni, Banchare, Batule, Gauje, Jila, Simalkuna, Dandagaun, Kaptane, Jaljala, and Malai should be moved to safer locations outside the park.
Despite the fact that these areas have been inhabited for over 50 years prior to the establishment of Banke National Park, the current situation poses significant challenges for residents, as noted by the chairman. “Since this area is part of the core zone of the national park, the residents have experienced damage to their lives, livestock, and crops due to wild animals entering from the park,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, the residents have no choice but to continue living in these hazardous areas, and because it is within the national park, the government at all levels is unable to provide funding for infrastructure improvements.
Consequently, without state support, relocating these settlements is not a feasible option, he said.
