KATHMANDU: The Bhangre River in Jitpur Simra sub-metropolitan city-2, which used to flow freely until a decade ago, has now been confined within the premises of Jagdamba Steel Pvt. Ltd. since 2064 BS. Despite being physically enclosed within the high walls of the industry, the map shows the river as situated outside the compound. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the influence wielded by Jagdamba Steel, discouraging locals, national park officials, and public representatives from discussing the matter openly. Allegations include not only the confinement of the river but also the illegal occupation of over 25 bighas of land belonging to Parsa National Park by Jagdamba Steel.
A complaint filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) accused Jagdamba Steel of encroaching on park land and conducting business on it. The CIAA responded by instructing the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to provide relevant documents for investigation. In response, Parsa National Park requested details from Jagdamba Steel regarding the land it claims to own. The industry defended itself by stating that it had acquired the land legitimately from various individuals and organizations, denying any encroachment on park or government land.
Officials from Parsa National Park and the District Survey Office have been cautious in their responses. The park's information officer declined to comment on the allegations of encroachment, redirecting inquiries to other departments. Meanwhile, the head of the District Survey Office clarified that they had not received any formal request to survey the disputed land. Despite these developments, no substantial progress has been made in resolving the dispute, pending further investigation into the legitimacy of Jagdamba Steel's land claims.
Local residents and environmentalists have expressed concerns about the impact of Jagdamba Steel's activities on the Bhangre River and its surrounding wetlands. Previously a habitat for various wildlife species and a vital water source, the river has reportedly been repurposed by the industry for dumping industrial wastewater. This transformation has led to a crisis in the once-thriving wetlands, affecting wildlife and altering the natural ecosystem.
The dispute over Jagdamba Steel's activities brings to light more general problems with land use planning and environmental preservation in Nepal. The case highlights the difficulties local government faces in striking a balance between economic expansion and conservation initiatives, in the face of accusations of influence peddling and inadequate regulatory control. The resolution of this disagreement might have a big impact on regional environmental regulations and corporate responsibility as the inquiries go on and public attention grows.
