The report 'Micro-Area Poverty Estimates-082' released by the National Statistics Office on Friday shows that the Far Western Province is at the forefront of the poverty map of the country.

The report lists 10 municipalities with the highest poverty rate out of 753 local levels in the country, with 6 from the Far West. According to the

report, 5 out of 10 districts with the highest poverty rate are from the Far West. Of these, Achham is ranked first, Baitadi is ranked second, Bajura is ranked third, Doti is ranked fifth, and Bajhang is ranked ninth. In Achham, 49.58 percent, in Baitadi 48.65, in Bajura 47.81, in Doti 42.81, and in Bajhang 38.83 percent of the population are below the poverty line.

According to the office, 70.54 percent of the population lives in poverty in Dhakari Rural Municipality of Achham, 66.87 in Sigas Rural Municipality of Baitadi, 66.8 in Kamalbazar Municipality of Achham, 65.34 in Shikhar Municipality of Doti, 65.17 in Triveni Municipality of Bajura, and 64.07 in Shivnath Rural Municipality of Baitadi. Two local levels in Karnali Province, 77.89 percent in Junechandi Rural Municipality of Jajarkot, and 72.36 percent in Soru Rural Municipality of Mugu, are below the poverty line . 

According to Dhundiraj Lamichhane, spokesperson of the National Statistics Office, the office has been regularly conducting various censuses, surveys, and research studies to produce data that can be used for policymaking and planning in the social, economic, and demographic sectors. 

The office has been conducting the Nepal Living Standards Survey using the Living Standards Measurement Study method with the support of the World Bank's Development Fund to measure the living standards of Nepalis. 'Poverty alleviation is a major social issue in Nepal and is a priority for all three levels of government.' He said, 'To meet this need, the National Statistics Office has conducted a survey in 753 local levels of 77 districts using the internationally prevalent small area estimation method.'

He said that a year-long survey had to be conducted because people's eating habits, living conditions, and spending habits differ according to the season. He said that monetary poverty is being measured using the basic cost method. 'They eat more during the Dashain season. They eat less during other seasons. This is monetary poverty. People who spend less fall into the poor category, while people who spend more fall into the rich category,' said Spokesperson Lamichhane, 'spending according to need changes the poverty rate.' According to him, the last time poverty was measured in Nepal, those who spend less than 72 thousand per year fell below the poverty line.

How is poverty measured ? The National Statistics Office has measured poverty not only on the basis of income, but also on the basis of multidimensional indicators. According to Spokesperson Lamichhane, the standard of living includes indicators such as safe housing, access to electricity, drinking water and sanitation, communication and transportation facilities, employment and a permanent source of income.
Indicators such as the condition of school-age children, literacy, basic education and school dropout rate are also included. 'Poverty is measured on the basis of consumption expenditure. The main basis is how food and other expenses are spent,' he said.

According to him, what is the roof, floor, and walls of the house like? What is the source of drinking water, the pillars and foundation of the house like? Is there young manpower in the family? How many have gone abroad? Does remittances come or not? All issues are covered. 'Based on the indicators, poverty is more visible in the Far West than in other provinces,' he said.

Achham ranks 5th in poverty in the country because a large part of its population is in India and investments are in the Terai districts, said Yagya Prasad Dhakal, the mayor of Kamalbazar Municipality. 'Poverty can only be eliminated if the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors are commercialized. It also provides employment,' he said. 'The land is barren after wild animals started destroying the crops. The villages are deserted.' This should be the focus of all three levels of government.'