The Chure and Forest Conservation Campaign Nepal staged a demonstration in Maitighar of Kathmandu on Thursday, demanding the protection of the Chure region and forests.
Campaigners took to the streets calling for the conservation of forests and jungles, land rights for Dalits and landless squatters, and an end to the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
The protesters demanded that the destruction of the Chure region must be stopped, the growing pollution and encroachment of the Sirsiya River must be controlled, and the illegal extraction of stones, gravel, and sand must be immediately halted.
They strongly urged the government to bring illegally operating crusher industries within the legal framework and shut them down.
The demonstrators gathered in Maitighar held various placards and memorandums prepared for submission to the government.
The placards bore questions such as, "Why is Singha Durbar closed to the people, Government?" and "When will you see the nation's problems, Government?"
According to campaign representatives, the government appears indifferent to solving the issue of Dalits and landless squatters who have been deprived of land rights for years.
Citing that the exploitation of natural resources is triggering an environmental crisis, they even attempted to enter Singha Durbar to submit a memorandum and draw the government’s attention.
During the demonstration, campaigners sat on the road and displayed letters listing their demands.
The campaign has warned that it will continue the agitation until its demands are met.
