Nepal's territory is extended not only to Kalapani, but 17 Kms. west up to Limpiyadhura

Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, Border Management Expert, Nepal

Mr. Shrestha served the Nepal government as Director General at the Map Department. This should explain his experience in the issues pertaining to the continued encroachments of Nepali lands by neighboring India.

He is basically an expert on border management who has had a long practical experience and adequate expertise in the domain of mapping activities

His freshly published book on Border Management of Nepal which deals basically with the burning issues of managing and regulating the country’s border with its neighbors.

This book penned by Mr. Shrestha became so popular among the nationalists of the country that it bagged even the prestigious Madan Puraskar award in the year 2057 B.S.

Nepal as a nation-state must remain ever obliged to this senior Geographer whose contributions in opening the eyes of the Nepal’s Indo-pendant leaders as regards how India encroaches upon our lands as and when we happen to be politically in a weakened state.

Mr. Shrestha has been voicing his concerns through books and articles that we must go in for a scientific demarcation and proper management of our border with India.

Shrestha was born in Okhaldhunga district and currently resides close to our office in Ghattekulo, Dillibazar.

Apart from several books to his credit, scholar Shrestha has participated in scores of national as well international seminars wherein he has remained successful in highlighting Nepal’s plight as regards the land encroachment by India and that too on a continued basis.

He has obtained various degrees, for example, Land Surveying-Calcutta; Land Use Mapping, Canada; Land Information System, Germany and Remote Sensing Technology, Japan.

One could say that he is a sort of reservoir of knowledge in his domain.

Last week, we approached this noted Nepali Geographer to share his views on Nepal’s border problems with India. Mr. Shrestha readily agreed. We thank him for his sagacity. Below the results of our talks with Mr. Shrestha-ed.

Do you see any change in the previous and the present governments’ in its attitude when it comes to talk straight with India as regards the border issues?

Mr. Shrestha: The government ministries, departments and organizations have not disturbed me till this date in my study, research, field visits, writing, publication, presentation and discussions with various institutions and social organizations. On the other side of the coin, they have not helped and co-operated me directly either. Some of the government officials have inspired me asking to continue to carry out my studies and research. But a few of them sometimes tell me that it will not good to give them trouble writing the border demarcation issues, especially on the southern frontier of our country. 

 As a matter of fact, if the government officials help me directly or knowingly, they will get trouble from our neighboring nation through the Nepalese high ranking authorities. At least they have to face inquiries from their superiors, if somebody knows that I get information from them. So they don't want to get some type of harassment. 

I have not experienced any change of the attitude of past and present government(s) concerning the dealings with India on the border demarcation problems. Authorities of both periods have a kind of inner fear that India will get angry and they may loose their power / job or they will not get any benefit for their future career.    

Mr. Shrestha:  As my study, research and field inspection reveals that our southern neighbor has encroached at least 54 places along Nepal-India borderline. The total area under encroachment, dispute, conflict, controversy, violation, claim and counter-claim have been estimated at around 60,000 hectares of land, of which Kalapani-Limpiyadhura alone covers 37,840 ha. Susta area 14,860 ha and various places in Jhapa districts cover around 1,630 ha and other places in other districts occupy around 5,640 ha. 21 districts out of 26 districts adjoined with the Indian frontier have been suffered by disputed areas. Places of disputes and encroachment are increasing year after year.

By the effect of my publications about the places of counter and counter-claims by both the sides, Nepal government has informed to the local press that Nepal-India border issues and disputes will be solved amicably with the satisfaction of both the countries. But the burning problems like Kalapani-Limpiyadhura, Susta etc have never been resolved, since Nepal-India Joint Technical Level Boundary Committee has been working for the last twenty five years. Its period of terms has been extended eight times as 1991, 1995, 1997, 2003, June 2005, 2006, June 2007 and December 2007. However, the past progress / activity and way of dealings reveal that there is no possibility of settling the border encroachment problems with India in due time or within the allotted time period. In short, the government machinery is not so sensitive to settle the problems within the time frame due to various factors.     

Shed some light also on how our leaders handle the land encroachment issue as and when it arises in between Nepal and India? Are they really serious about it or take the event lightly?

Mr. Shrestha:  Yes, Kalapani area including Limpiyadhura certainly belongs to Nepal. There is no doubt as it is depicted on the historical maps published by Survey of India, China, Russia, Germany, Japan and also some other countries. I would like to cite some old maps such as Map of Gurhwal Kumaon (1st February 1827), Nipal and the countries adjoining South, West and East (24th April 1856), Index Map of India ( 1835), The Atlas of India (1846), Sketch Map of Kumaon (1819), Old Atlas of China, Qing Dynasty (China 1903), Indo Index of South Asia, (Tokyo 1934), The World Atlas (Moscow 1984), Vorder-Indien, Indo-Britische (Germany 1834) etc. The most interesting fact is that in the map of 24 April 1856, it is written in note-3 that Jung Bahadur's Nipal Sketch Map in Dev Nagree Characters received from Foreign Department sent thereto by Resident of Nipal (No Scale) has been included in this map. In all of these maps, it is drawn that the Kalee River is originated from Limpiyadhura. According to these maps, Nepal's territory is extended not only to Kalapani, but 17 Km west up to Limpiyadhura.

Our political leaders raise voice and make slogans during the election period and also when they are in the opposition bench in the parliament that 'Kalapani is ours and India must quit Kalapani.' But it is unfortunate that when they are in the government and power, they keep their lips mum. This is a very mysterious fact about the sensitivity on the national boundary of Nepal. However, our political leaders know very well that India has encroached upon our territory in so many segments. But they don't venture to put the matter to India when they hold the political and administrative power. When they come out of power, they again make slogan on the border issues of Nepal to win the mind of the Nepalese people once again.

Had you been ever seduced with scholarship schemes by the other side at time of the border negotiation? Your personal experience please.  

Mr. Shrestha:  The Nepalese bureaucrats present themselves in a good fashion at first during the negotiations. But when the talk prolongs in a certain issue, the tempo (situation) of the Nepalese team may go down due to poor home work and insufficient internal discussion before starting the joint meeting. During the negotiating meetings, mostly the Indian team goes in depth finding out the root / crux of the problem. But the Nepalese team bears the shallow information and knowledge on the said meeting. The next point is that Nepalese authorities do not visualize and forecast possible or would be problems. And if there are problems of claims and counter claims and conversations, Nepalese team may generally be tired of the problems.

Yes, I have heard the scholarship luring factor for the sons and daughters of the Nepalese authorities. When the Nepalese gains superiority in some discussing points, there is a possibility that the Indian counterpart may divert the issues in irrelevant matters such as the education of young boys and girls of the Nepalese officials in the field of medicine and engineering. Sometime, they may break the dialogue in international language and they may start to speak in Hindi "Arey bhai, Nepali Indian to bhai bhai na hain."  

I had never been seduced with luring scholarship scheme during my tenure. My daughters have studied in Pakistan and Bangladesh. But I must say honestly that I have obtained survey education in West Bengal Survey Institue, Bandel Calcutta during 1966-67. Still I have some Bengali Surveyor friends making correspondence time and often. We have very good relationship.  

Do you consider such Missions will bag success given the subservient attitude of Nepali leaders towards New Delhi?

Do you agree that as and when Nepal is politically weak, New Delhi encroached upon our lands here and there? Your valuable remarks please.

Mr. Shrestha:  So far as I understand the historical facts on Kalapani Issue is in favor of Nepal. If the authorities of our friendly nation India do not give consent to the historical facts and figures, that's another thing. But they have to rely on various nations and organizations of the world including the United Nations Security Council and International Count of Justice. The proposed mission to Kalapani creates awareness to the general people and warns the government that Kalapani-Limpiyadhura belongs to Nepal. I am sure they put the matter publicly with some legal, technical, geographical and historical background.

I think, such mission may bag success convincing to the government authorities. Because these authorities also are of the Nepalese nationality and they love their nation Nepal. These days, Nepal is open not only to India, but also to so many other countries of the world who like and love Nepal and Nepali people and nationality of Nepal. Because this is the age of information technology. If there are some incidents in Nepal, the world may know it within some hours of that happenings. 

In fact, New Delhi wants to make Nepal politically weak. India considers that Nepal may ask and consult to New Delhi on all matters. Past history tells that when there are political changes in Nepal, the people of Indian frontier intend to encroach some territory of Nepal. There are some examples that when the Jana Andolan- II was on rise, some lands of Susta area, Parasan, Lalbojhi (kauakheda), Bhajani (Kusumghat), Gulariya (Chaugurji) etc have been encroached.

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