Biological embankment proves effective in controlling Kandra river in Bhajani

Bhajani: A biological embankment constructed in Jhalajhaliya of Bhajani Municipality, Kailali has proven effective in controlling the Kandra River, which has long caused erosion and displacement in the area.

The river, which has been cutting through land and flooding settlements every year, has displaced many local residents. Following the success of a community-led biological embankment built last year, the initiative has been continued this year in coordination with the local government and non-governmental organizations. The embankment work, carried out through the joint efforts of the municipality, cooperative societies and local residents, is currently underway.

The project initially began last year with contributions from local households, each providing one hundred rupees to purchase wooden materials. Local resident Amarraj Neupane said the embankment successfully prevented the river from entering the Kandra settlement, which was previously at high risk. “After it became effective last year, work is being continued in coordination with the municipality and other partners this year,” he said, expressing hope that displacement will no longer be necessary. According to him, about one kilometer of biological embankment has been completed so far.

The Kandra River has been responsible for annual damage to cultivable land and settlements, affecting around 435 households each year. In Jhalajhaliya, hundreds of bighas of farmland have turned barren due to erosion, leaving many families landless. In response, local residents constructed hundreds of meters of organic embankments last Bhadau through collective labor, said Laxmi Prasad Jaishi.

“We are tired of appealing to the government for embankment construction. Although our concerns are heard, implementation has been lacking, so we built the embankment ourselves to stay safe,” he said, adding that the initiative has proven effective in reducing erosion.

This year, an additional 175 meters of embankment has been completed with support from the municipality and Santhi Nepal. According to Mayor Kewal Chaudhary, organic embankments have now been constructed over more than 500 meters. The municipality has also conducted a survey for building a total of 750 meters of biological embankment.

The project is being implemented with support from the Nepal National Social Welfare Association, Nepal Red Cross Society and local residents, said Bishnu Neupane, head of the municipality’s Forest, Environment and Disaster Management Branch. He informed that approximately Rs. 2.5 million is being invested in the current phase, making it the largest biological embankment project so far, while previous efforts involved investments exceeding Rs. 6.5 million.

With river erosion brought under control, the area has also begun prioritizing commercial bagar farming. The Nepal Red Cross Society Kailali branch has launched a community agroforestry program on unused land to support income generation for flood-affected families. According to outgoing district president Basudev Binadi, the program focuses on fruit cultivation, which is expected to enhance agricultural productivity while contributing to long-term erosion control.

Local residents have expressed satisfaction with the livelihood initiatives targeting flood-affected communities. Phaguram Dagoura of Jhalajhaliya said that although the risk of flooding has not been entirely eliminated, conditions have improved this year and are expected to improve further as the remaining embankment work is completed.

Bhajani Municipality has long faced recurring floods and inundation during the monsoon season, with the Kandra River posing the greatest challenge in the area.