Khotang authorities seek details of illegal land encroachment across all local units

KHOTANG: The District Administration Office has instructed all local levels in the district to submit details of encroached government and public land within three days.

All ten local levels have been asked to provide updated information on such encroachments, along with identification reports and action plans for their removal.

In a letter signed by Administrative Officer Prabhat Dhakal, local authorities have been directed to identify encroached government and public land and include a plan for clearing the encroachments. Both hard and soft copies of the details have been requested.

Chief District Officer Rekha Kandel said the request was made in line with a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs issued on April 16.

“The government has initiated efforts to bring encroached public land back under state ownership. We are currently collecting details at the district level,” she said. “After completing the documentation process, we will begin removing structures, and we urge citizens to voluntarily clear encroachments in advance.”

According to officials, the highest level of encroachment has been reported in Halesi Tuwachung Municipality and Barahapokhari Rural Municipality. Land areas such as Barahatal in these local units have reportedly been occupied illegally.

Previous attempts have been made to clear encroachments in Halesi, a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirats. However, Temple Management Committee Chair Gajurman Rai said political protection had hindered the removal process.

Although the Guthi Sansthan had earlier initiated investigations into encroached land around the Halesi Mahadev Temple area and even issued notices to 29 individuals in 2072 BS through the District Land Revenue Office, the encroachments have not yet been removed.

In Barahapokhari Rural Municipality–1, around 27 individuals are reported to have encroached on public land at Barahatal. Although the municipality had previously demolished illegal structures using excavators, locals are said to have rebuilt houses and sheds in the same area.