Illegal Land Occupation Sparks Water Scarcity

People in Tulsipur, Dang, have set up a settlement encroaching several water sources on the banks of Patu stream. Many water sources in the area are drying up because of illegal occupation of land.

District Chairman of the Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Nepal Khemraj Oli said three water sources in the area have dried up as the squatters have taken over the area that was the chief source of drinking water for the residents of Tulsipur Bazaar.

“There are seven deep-boring pumps that supply drinking water. Over the years, the supply has gone down because of the illegal urbanisation taking place near Patu stream. Tulsipur Bazaar consumes 150 litres of water per second. Because of urbanisation and population growth, our pumps can hardly draw 60 litres of water per second these days,” Oli said.

Around 1,000 concrete houses stand on the encroached government property by the banks of Patu stream.  Their inhabitants are also selling empty plots in the area.

“There is no way of stopping the illegal settlers from building and selling land in the area, because they are backed by local political leaders. Meanwhile, the residents of Tulsipur are reeling under water scarcity,” said Pradip Gautam of Beljhundi.

Executive Officer of Tulsipur Municipality Topendra KC said there should be an extensive field study before evicting the illegal settlers.

Chief District Officer Dipak Kafle said those people who are found occupying the public land will be prosecuted and removed from the land.

Source: Kathmandu Post

Media

Taxonomy

• Drinking Water Treatment
• Water Scarcity
• Governance
• Scarcity
• Water Supply
• Drinking Water
• Land and Water Resources Management