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The weather has been highly active in recent days, with more rain expected this year and a higher risk of fatalities compared to last year. The increased rainfall has elevated the risk of landslides in mountainous areas and has led to more frequent incidents of floods, landslides, erosion, and destruction in the Terai region. In light of these challenges, what policies, plans, programs, and budgets have Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City formulated for managing, rescuing, and providing relief for flood and landslide events caused by heavy rains? The following is an edited excerpt from a conversation between INSEC Rupandehi District Representative Rima BC and Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City Chief Khelraj Pandey on this matter.

What type of policies, plans, budgets, and programs have Butwal Sub-metropolitan City prepared for disaster management?

Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City is one of the local levels most affected by natural disasters. While we cannot precisely predict the type or timing of natural disasters, we recognize the potential risks they pose. Therefore, we hold meetings with the local disaster management committee to identify risk areas, estimate potential damage, and guide how to protect residents in these areas. We have stationed excavators and dozers in risk areas. Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has progressed by integrating both human and physical development. In alignment with the promises made in the election manifesto, we are addressing disaster management through policies, plans, budgets, and programs. We have increased investment in both physical infrastructure and human development aspects such as education, health, and employment.

Which areas in the Butwal are most Risk Areas, and what preparations have been made to address them?

The highest-risk areas in Butwal include Jyotinagar, Milan Path, and Laxminagar, which are prone to landslides. Additionally, areas adjacent to the Tinau River, such as Ranigunj, Sahanshil Tol, Shrijananagar, and 11 other locations, face significant erosion and flooding problems. The Danav River has also caused significant issues. On the west side of Tinau and in the Butwal market area, water often enters the market and nearby homes. In areas like Butwal Jyotinagar and Laxminagar, flooding is a recurring problem during the rainy season. We are aware of the measures the local government can take to minimize risks and protect citizens from disasters. Every year, we allocate a budget to manage the Jyotinagar landslide, and this year, we have set aside 3 crores for this purpose. We have installed sirens at two locations along the Tinau River to alert people in risk areas. For the coming year, we have included the installation of two additional sirens in our policy and program. Additionally, we are working on constructing embankments to prevent the river from eroding its banks. However, there have been challenges since the Tinau Danab Corridor has not been built. If the Tinau Danau Corridor had been finished on time, the road department would have done regular checks. However, because the project relies on federal funding, progress has been delayed due to budget issues.

How is the coordination of the provincial and the federal government to deal with the disaster?

Our biggest challenge is the landslide in Jyotinagar. The municipality allocates a significant amount of money each year for its management. However, the support from the provincial and federal governments for landslide control and risk reduction has been insufficient. The assistance provided is minimal and inadequate for such a high-risk area. The necessary coordination and cooperation to address this major disaster have not been achieved.

What types of policies, plans, programs, and budget management have you implemented to ensure that women, children, Dalits, people with disabilities, Muslims, financially backward, queer communities, and marginalized communities within Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City experience the benefits of local governance?

Butwal sub-metropolitan city has identified the needs of Butwal residents and brought policies, plans, budgets, and programs based on the needs. We have advanced physical infrastructure development and human development with importance. We are convinced that development is not possible only with physical development. Therefore, we have taken physical development and human development together. We invested 26% of the budget in education last year. We have constructed two 15-bed hospitals and are working to upgrade BTI and Amda hospitals. We have installed Hymax systems to enhance the infrastructure in Butwal. Additionally, we have built and are managing cowsheds to improve the management of livestock on the roads. In this way, we have addressed the needs of the people of Butwal by including all regions, geographies, castes, and communities. For cultural conservation, we have prioritized projects such as the preservation of Panche Baja (a set of five Nepali traditional musical instruments) and Aran (a traditional style of making iron utensils by heating iron). Each year, we provide Panche Baja training for five groups, manage cart businesses in designated areas, operate a slaughterhouse to ensure the distribution of pure and healthy meat, run the Mayor Youths Venture program to foster entrepreneurship among youth, and offer ten-month cooking and computer training programs for young people. For the development of Butwal, we have programs aimed at making women independent through skills training and income generation. Additionally, as part of our campaign to provide free education, we are offering free education to 80 girls at BTI for two years. Furthermore, we have emphasized that the programs organized by Butwal are intended for everyone, not just Butwal residents. Additionally, we have developed a program and budget to include various activities, such as gold jewelry-making training, Saraya dance, and language training in Magar and Newar languages, among others.

What will be the future responsibilities to cultivate a strong human rights culture in Butwal, ensuring that its residents can truly experience and benefit from it?

The local government is committed to being an equal authority for all citizens. Therefore, every resident of Butwal should have equal access. We have consistently been proactive and attentive in advancing these principles. In the coming days, we will continue to advance our efforts. No resident of Butwal will be left feeling ignored. If anyone feels excluded, we will address their concerns promptly. Our goal is to make Butwal a model city of inclusion and equity. We understand that Butwal cannot achieve prosperity by leaving any community behind. The Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City is leading the way in fostering a human rights culture by addressing social inequalities and ensuring that everyone feels included and represented by the local government. To achieve this goal, continuous critical feedback from the citizens is essential. Some individuals may attempt to undermine Butwal’s progress, so I urge all to remain vigilant against such individuals and their efforts to disturb our advancement.