Gandaki, March 14:
Residents of the Rupatal Integrated Conservation Development Project affected areas in Kaski district submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer on Wednesday, demanding compensation for and release of their land acquired for the project.
Coordinator of the Dam Area Problem Resolution Committee, Hari Prasad Adhikari said they demanded proper compensation for the acquired land and return of the land not required by the project.
As many as 1,472 ropanis of land belonging to the locals has been acquired since 2066 BS.
“Although some families have received compensation, around 300 families are yet to get it”, he said, blaming the project office and the local administration for not being able to take any action despite repeated calls.
The affected locals called for proper compensation as per the prevailing price if the project takes over all the land acquired.
Sita Adhikari, a local of Rupakot Rural Municipality-6, said they have not been able to sell their land for years.
She said their struggle would not cease until determination of proper compensation for the land and release of their land.
Project information officer and engineer Krishna BK said compensation has already been distributed for 995 ropanis of land. “Compensation of Rs 870 million has already been distributed, 477 ropanis of land is yet to be acquired and compensation is yet to be paid”, he said.
Information Officer BK said the decision of compensation and release could not be taken at the same time. Discussion however has moved ahead towards fulfilling demands of the agitating locals.
The project aims to develop Rupatal, located along the border of Pokhara Metropolitan City and Rupakot Rural Municipality, as a tourist destination with conservation. After dam construction, the lake area will be expanded to 180 hectares, according to project information officer BK. He shared that the target is to complete the dam construction by 2082 BS and the entire project work by 2085 BS.
Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
