Kanchanpur. Villages in the hilly districts of the Far West are becoming empty due to migration. The population graph in the Terai is increasing. 20 percent of the total population in the Far West, which has nine districts, is in Kanchanpur.

According to the 2078 Census of Nepal, this province has a population of 26,94,783. Out of which, 1,421,997 are women, while the male population is 1,272,786. Since many men from this province go to India and third countries for employment, the male population is less and the female population is more compared to other provinces.

According to statistics, the female population here is 52.77 percent and the male population is 47.23 percent. Out of the nine districts of the province, five districts, except two in the Terai and two in the hills, are in a state of decline in population.

According to the census published by the National Statistics Office, the population of Achham, Baitadi, Doti, Bajhang, and Dadeldhura districts is in a state of decline every year. The population growth rate of the mountainous district of Darchula is stable, i.e. zero percent.

The population growth rate of the hilly district of Bajura has increased at a normal rate. The growth rate here is 0.25 percent, while the highest in Kailali is 1.48 percent and that of Kanchanpur is 1.25 percent.

According to Govinda Neupane, head of the Statistics Coordination Office, Dhangadhi, like other provinces, there is a problem in population distribution in this province as people from hilly and mountainous areas are moving to the Terai (Madhes) and even if they live in the hills, they are moving to urban areas.

The growing population in the Terai, known as a storehouse of food production, is reducing the amount of arable land. Many are concerned that if the provincial and local governments do not pay attention to population management in a timely manner, it will lead to a big problem in the near future.

“This imbalance has arisen due to the lack of employment, education, a society that is friendly to them and opportunities in the hills,” says Neupane. “The local and provincial governments should pay special attention to prevent this. If data-based plans and budgets are made, the needs of the people can be addressed in the places where they live. Otherwise, the unbalanced population in the Far West will create challenges in the long term.”

He said that the increasing population in the Terai is reducing the agricultural production area and barren land in the hills He said that if appropriate policies are not adopted in time due to the increasing land area, attention should be paid to further increasing the scope of imports in the near future.

According to experts, since the agricultural sector contributes 30 percent to the GDP of the Far West, a decrease in production will also cause a contraction in the economy here. More than half of the total population here is in Kailali and Kanchanpur.

About 33 percent of the people live in Kailali and 20 percent in Kanchanpur. This pressure of population is not only in the district headquarters Bhimdatta but also in rural areas.

According to Padam Bogati, Mayor of Bhimdatta Municipality, since it is a convenient town in the Terai and connected to the highway, it is natural for people to be attracted here. He said that with the addition of new people every year, the pressure on resource management is increasing every year.

“All branches in the municipality have been providing information about the situation in their respective areas. Migration and the growing population are putting pressure on resource management, but we have been managing it so far. If this continues to increase, it could be a problem,” said Mayor Bogati. He said.

According to the National Statistics Office, Far West, out of the nine local levels of Kanchanpur, Bhimdatta Municipality has a population of 122,320. Similarly, Krishnapur Municipality has a population of 71,500, Shuklaphanta Municipality has a population of 53,969, Bedkot Municipality has a population of 57,680, and Dodhara Chandani has a population of 42,974.

Punarbas Municipality has a population of 61,748, Belauri has a population of 53,910, Beldandi Rural Municipality has a population of 21,888, and Laljhadi Rural Municipality has a population of 25,037.

Shankar Dutta Bhatta, Associate Professor at Sudurpaschim University, said that migration is a very challenging issue for population management. He stressed the need to use the resources available in the hilly areas to control it and distribute state resources proportionately. Since the hilly districts of the Far West have great potential for vegetable and fruit farming, as well as animal husbandry, the government should invest in it. Bhatta suggests investing in government-private partnerships.

“Due to migration, cultivable land in the hilly areas is barren, those areas should be classified as model agricultural pocket areas,” said Associate Professor Bhatta. “The government should invest in those areas, and a policy should be adopted to involve farmers in collective farming. In addition, the government needs to build infrastructure for the safety and marketing of products, as well as build agricultural ambulances and moisture centers.”

Dr. Hira Chand, a member of the Sudurpaschim Province Policy and Planning Commission, said that the government should focus on improving them as migration is taking place from the hills in search of employment, quality education, and good health care.

He said that the provincial government has emphasized integrated settlement development, one municipality, one product, and infrastructure development to stop migration in the hilly districts here.

“Infrastructure development and service delivery in the hilly areas are expensive. Therefore, scattered settlements should be integrated, and community schools should be made residential along with improving the quality,” said member Chand. “If we can develop remote tourist areas and create employment, the lives of citizens will improve. (RSS)