Human rights organizations have issued an appeal to resolve the Pathibhara Temple cable car project dispute through dialogue. In an appeal released on March 21, the organizations urged for a meaningful discussion and negotiation to find a human rights-friendly solution to the dispute. The organizations that issued the appeal include the Accountability Watch Committee, Amnesty International Nepal, Justice and Rights Institute (JURI–Nepal), Advocacy Forum Nepal, and the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC). These organizations have emphasized the need for meaningful discussion among stakeholders to make the project human rights-friendly.
The organizations have recommended that the project be reconsidered or adjusted to respect the religion, culture, and spiritual beliefs of the Limbu community. They also stressed the importance of creating an environment where the local community feels included in the development plans. Additionally, human rights organizations believe that before moving forward with any development project in the traditional settlement areas of indigenous communities, it is crucial to have detailed discussions and consultations with them.
The appellants have suggested the establishment of a special mechanism and strengthening the Indigenous Nationalities Commission as a potential solution. As tensions rise between the supporters and opponents of the cable car project, there have been complaints of the police administration using excessive force and violent activities from both sides. Human rights organizations have called for an impartial investigation into the incident, urging that those responsible be held accountable and measures be taken to prevent such activities from occurring again. The organizations have demanded that all documents and information related to the Pathibhara Temple cable car project be made public. They have stressed the importance of disclosing details such as the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). The appellants have stated that the concept of “Building physical structures like cable cars is not development in itself; the preservation of natural and cultural heritage is also an integral part of development” should be promoted at all levels, from federal to local.
The organizations have urged both the “No Cable Car” and “Cable Car Supporters” sides to exercise restraint and choose the path of peaceful protest and discussion. They have also suggested that elected representatives should facilitate the resolution of the dispute without taking sides. The organizations have suggested that the National Human Rights Commission, the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, and Parliamentary committees play an active role in guiding the dispute in a constructive direction. This involvement is crucial for ensuring a balanced and effective approach to resolving the issue.