Survey underway for land management of landless and unorganized settlers in Kanchanpur

Mahendranagar: Local governments in Kanchanpur district have initiated surveys aimed at managing land for landless citizens and unorganized settlements.

The district comprises nine local levels, most of which have deployed technical teams to conduct surveys across various wards.

Shuklaphanta Municipality Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara said that ward-level surveys have commenced from today, specifically in Wards 5, 10, and 11. “We had already completed the survey in six wards and have now begun work in three more,” he said, adding that teams will be mobilized in Wards 6, 7, and 8 after the monsoon season ends.

The municipality, which is home to approximately 12,000 landless squatters, unorganized settlers, and landless Dalits, plans to submit land ownership documents to the Land Commission for distribution upon completion of the survey. “Currently, a team including a technical representative from the Land Commission is working in the field,” Mayor Mahara stated. “After completing all procedures, the documents will be handed over to the Commission for issuing land deeds.”

Across Kanchanpur, where around 60,000 landless Dalit squatters and unorganized settlers reside, similar challenges persist in land management.

Krishnapur Municipality has also begun surveys within its jurisdiction two days ago. Information Officer Prem Bogati reported that surveying activities are currently underway in Wards 5 and 6. He stated that the initiative aims to expedite the necessary processes for managing land for landless and unorganized settlers. The municipality has more than 17,000 individuals in these categories.

In Bedkot Municipality, which has over 9,500 landless squatters, unorganized settlers, and landless Dalits, Mayor Bhojraj Bohara said that most of the survey work has been completed. “Survey work remains pending in some wards where land belonging to displaced people from Shuklaphanta Park is in disrepair, but we have completed surveys in all other areas,” he said.

Similarly, Laljhadi Rural Municipality has completed surveys in most areas, with only a few wards remaining. Chairperson Nirmal Rana informed that re-surveying is required in Ward No. 5, while work is currently ongoing in Ward No. 1. The rural municipality is home to more than 4,000 landless squatters, unorganized settlers, and landless Dalits.