Kathmandu - On the occasion of Chure Conservation Day 2082, President Ram Chandra Paudel called for a comprehensive review and reform of policies and practices guiding the conservation of Nepal’s Chure region. Speaking at a program organized in Kawasoti, Nawalparasi, the President emphasized the importance of leveraging lessons from the implementation of the President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Committee's (PCTMCDC) programs to enhance organizational structures and expand conservation services effectively.
President Paudel inaugurated the celebration by planting a banyan tree at Jyotipunj Community Forest, while First Lady Sabita Paudel planted a peepal tree. The community forest, spanning 28 bighas, is situated in Kawasoti Municipality–3.
Reflecting on the achievements and challenges faced by the PCTMCDC, President Paudel remarked, "While efforts such as landslide control, wetland management, afforestation, agroforestry programs, and riverbank conservation have shown progress, the broader objectives of sustainable conservation and resource management remain unfulfilled."
Critical Importance of Chure Conservation
The Chure region, spanning 37 districts and influencing the lives of nearly 60% of Nepal’s population, is under severe threat due to human activities such as overextraction of riverine materials, unscientific farming, forest encroachment, and poverty-induced pressures. The President stressed that the degradation of Chure's natural resources poses a risk of turning the fertile Terai region into barren land.
"Floods triggered by landslides and soil erosion in the Chure hills could devastate the Terai, impacting agriculture and local livelihoods. Sustainable resource utilization and targeted conservation measures are crucial," President Paudel warned.
Call for Integrated Conservation Efforts
The President outlined a roadmap for future conservation efforts, advocating for:
Strengthened Policy and Legal Frameworks: Revamping existing laws and policies based on practical implementation experiences.
Community Engagement: Expanding afforestation and water conservation projects and entrusting local communities with their management.
Sustainable Resource Management: Utilizing river gravel to reduce sedimentation and maintaining river pathways to prevent downstream flooding.
Increased Army Involvement: Acknowledging the significant role of the Nepal Army in safeguarding Chure resources and encouraging broader participation in conservation initiatives.
A Fragile Ecosystem at Risk
Highlighting the region’s geological fragility, President Paudel noted that Chure’s weak rock formations make it susceptible to landslides, floods, and erosion. He underlined the critical role of Chure as a groundwater recharge zone for the Terai, a biodiversity hotspot, and a habitat for rare wildlife species. "Protecting Chure is not just an environmental priority but an ecological necessity to ensure water security and sustain livelihoods in the region," he stated.
Conclusion
As the Government of Nepal continues to invest in the conservation of the Chure region, President Paudel’s remarks underscore the urgent need for sustainable management and community-driven solutions. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to safeguarding this vital ecological asset, ensuring its resources benefit future generations.
