The border district of Bardia on the western edge of Lumbini region is rich in diverse tourism, agriculture, nature and culture. Tharu, Madhesi and hill communities live here. Most of the residents of Bardia are dependent on farming, which has hundreds of bighas of arable land. Besides, tourism business has been made a means of self-employment.

People's representatives elected at all the eight local levels of the district have said that they have given priority to development and construction by including these possibilities. Voices of public representatives and stakeholders collected by Kantipur about the prospects of Bardia and the programs being conducted by various municipalities:

'We have paid attention to the welfare of the conflict victims'

Dipesh Tharu 

Chief, Rajapur Municipality 

Rajapur municipality has problems of education, health, development and construction, river erosion. Sickle cell is another problem here. A curriculum has been prepared and implemented for classes 9 and 10 to create awareness about this disease. We are preparing to build a multi-technical school. The contract process has been initiated for the construction of a hospital at a cost of 110 million in Rajapur, giving priority to health services.

In the current year alone, 4 km of tarred, 20 km of gravel and 10 km of unpaved roads have been constructed within the city. We have made an action plan giving priority to the families who disappeared during the Maoist armed conflict. We have provided a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 to the families of the disappeared. About 400 people affected by the conflict are undergoing training for employment. We have distributed landlord parts for the landless. We have launched motorboats for tourists on the Karnali River. In 2024, the Korean government is going to invest in livestock and agriculture. 

'Investment in tourism infrastructure'

Tej Bahadur Bhat

Chief, Madhuvan Municipality

Under Madhuvan Municipality, areas such as Khata, Bhagareya, Pattharbozhi, Dalla, Kothiaghat and other areas have been developed as tourist spots. Now these places have become tourist destinations after being connected with the road network. Due to the biological route, wild animals such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, etc. 1 thousand 15 meters long bridge Kothiyaghat has been constructed. After the construction of the

bridge, this has become the shortest road connecting Bardia National Park. Now the choice account of tourists has become the organic route. Dalla Homestay is becoming a destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Farmers have benefited from the canal being constructed by Babai Irrigation Project in Madhuvan Municipality. Farmers' fields are being irrigated with canal water. The city has also put forward a plan to build an agricultural university.

'One Ward One Agriculture Package'

Khadga Bahadur Khadka

Head, Bansgarhi Municipality

We are working with agriculture as the main priority. In order to increase agricultural production, this municipality has implemented 'One Ward One Agriculture Package Program' in the current year. Animal and crop insurance program has been introduced with 100% subsidy to farmers. A service center has been established for the convenience of farmers and services have been provided at their doorsteps. Subsidy program for animal husbandry, including maternity allowance, has been launched under the 'Production in hand with subsidy' program. The construction of a 15-bed hospital in the municipality has reached its final stage. Construction of 5 suspension bridges has been completed within the city this year. In the current year, 8 km of road has been blacked. A daughter has operated a bank account.

'Electric fence in the municipality'

Laxmikumari Chaudhary 

Vice President, Geruwa Rural Municipality

Residents here are dependent on agriculture as there is plenty of fertile land. However, due to wildlife, the farmers here cannot import their produce in significant quantities. All the 6 wards of the municipality are affected due to wild animals coming from the park. Due to wild animals, there has been a huge loss of wealth here every year.

The municipality has installed an electric fence (meshwar) in a 35 km area connected to the park to protect human settlements along with wildlife protection. After electric fences, wildlife penetration is now somewhat less than in the past. In the current year, 14 km of roads have been blackened here. Education and health are the first priority of this municipality. Community health centers and three Worthing centers are operating in all 6 wards. 

'Priority from road to school'

Muktinath Yadav

Chief, Gulria Municipality

We are moving forward with the goal of making the city and village areas equipped with facilities. Paved roads leading to all the 12 ward offices of the city have been constructed. Electricity has reached all the wards. We have given priority to construction work in flood-affected areas. During the last 6 years, about 80 km of roads have been constructed using unpaved, gravel and paved roads. A health center has been established in every ward.

We are constructing a school building. We have introduced free education up to class 12. Nepal's biggest tile industry is being established in Gularia. Discussions are being held with industrialists for setting up potential industries in Gularia. There are plans to bring in more domestic tourists to Gularia, the home of Krishnasar. At a modern dumping site built at a cost of around 30 million, two tractors are collecting and managing waste daily. 

'We will show by doing what we said' 

Tilakram Lamsal

Chief, Thakurbaba Municipality 

The municipality is self-sufficient in rice and wheat production. We have prioritized free education. We have implemented free education, level education matching and established an educational bank. AC has been installed in Worthing Center here. A 24-hour emergency health service with two medical officers is provided.

23-bed treatment room with four ICU services, necessary equipment for sickle cell and TB testing, snakebite treatment service with ventilators and 3 ambulance services are operational. In order to create jobs for the city dwellers and connect them to economic development, 12 months of farming equipment and technical support have also been started. 413 houses have been built in partnership for the needy citizens to have their own safe houses. In the current fiscal year, 10 km of paved, 20 km of gravel and 5 km of unpaved roads have been constructed.

'Youth targeted program'

Arjun Subedi

Chief Administrative Officer

Badhaiyatal Rural Municipality

The municipality has invested 12 million rupees in this area where fish and corn are becoming scarce. 35 crore rupees are being spent annually in the education sector alone. Free education is provided up to 12th standard within the municipality. Youth targeted employment programs have been launched. The work of rebuilding dilapidated lake, lake and monastery has started.

The goal has been taken to complete the work including the necessary physical structures of the city within three years. The border area of ​​200 hectares is now shrinking to 140 hectares. Work is also being done to prevent it. The municipality has so far constructed 40 km of tarred, 52 km of gravel and 20 km of unpaved roads. All the 9 wards of the municipality have been connected by road network. According to the master plan, the reconstruction work has been started immediately. The work is being done to provide electricity to all the wards of the municipality.

'Searching for ways to reduce human-wildlife conflict'

Ajit Toombahamfe

Head, Bardia National Nature Conservation Fund

With the increase in the number of tigers, human-wildlife conflict has been seen as a challenge for the protection of Bardia National Park. After this problem, the National Nature Conservation Fund, in coordination and cooperation with the National Park, Wildlife Conservation Department and Bardia National Park, has investigated the conflict through camera taping and regular monitoring. Local residents are dependent on forests.

A behavior change campaign has been started with the understanding that the human-wildlife conflict cannot be controlled if the traditional farming practices adopted by the residents of marginalized areas cannot be changed. Two years ago, various training and capacity building programs were conducted for 19 local youths here. Local communities in marginal areas, shepherds and firewood collectors were concentrated in it.

'The country needs to be careful to solve the problem'

Devendra Prasad Pandey

Chairman, Gulria Industry and Commerce Association

When government agencies do not tighten the Nepal-India border, smuggling has flourished here. Laukahi and Balaigaon markets in India along the border are openly importing goods without paying revenue. Due to this, the business in the border market including Gularia has been closed. More than two dozen businessmen have fled from Gularia alone in the past one month. The shutters here are closing day by day.

Due to the economic recession, the industries including brick kilns are collapsing badly. This has especially affected construction professionals. Bank loans have led industrialists to auction real estate. It is necessary for the country to be careful to solve it. There are about 25 small scale industries here. Last year alone, a tile industry has been started here with an investment of 4 crore rupees. If work like industry registration, renewal recommendations are done through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the income source will also increase in the district.