Trees planted on reclaimed Gorkha forest

By Our Correspondent, Gorkha, (Sulikot) July 25: Trees have been planted on community forest land in Bahra Kilo Bazaar of Gorkha Municipality-11 after illegal houses and temporary structures built on the encroached area were demolished.

The Division Forest Office, Gorkha, on Friday fenced the reclaimed land within the Okhle Pakha Community Forest and launched a tree plantation drive. According to Madan Mohan Shandilya, Chief of the Division Forest Office, thousands of saplings of various species, including Kalki, Gulmohar, mango, bakaino (chinaberry), parijat, and champ, have been planted across the restored forest area.

The office said those occupying the forest land vacated the site after being warned that anyone obstructing the clearance operation would face legal action under the Forest Act, 2019.

More than 30 temporary structures had been erected on the encroached land of the Okhle Pakha Community Forest in Bahra Kilo Bazaar—located at the gateway to the Barpak road—where commercial activities had been operating for years.

Local residents have expressed appreciation to Gorkha Municipality, the Division Forest Office and the community forest management committee for their role in peacefully relocating occupants who had been using the forest land for nearly two decades.

Shandilya said the clearance became possible after the authorities repeatedly urged individuals, families and organisations occupying the forest area to immediately remove all temporary structures, materials and other illegally constructed buildings from the site.

The Division Forest Office stated that the strict enforcement of the decision to protect forest land and uphold the rule of law has resulted in the removal of encroachments that had existed for almost two decades. Following the clearance, the area has been restored through tree plantation and environmental conservation efforts, creating a more organised and greener Bahra Kilo Bazaar.