By Basanta Parajuli, Narayangadh, Feb. 12: All seven local levels of Chitwan district have initiated a process to provide land ownership certificate to over 37,000 landless squatters in the district.

The local levels, including Bharatpur Metropolitan City, are now busy collecting data of the landless individuals in their area. 

Some local levels have already completed the data collection work and have begun verifying the individuals through ward offices.

Madi Municipality, which is surrounded by Chitwan National Park from all sides, is also collecting the data.

“We plan to provide the land ownership certificates to the eligible landless citizens in six months,” said Arjun Pangeni, coordinator at the data collection committee of Ratnanagar Municipality, the second biggest municipality in Chitwan after Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

According to Pangeni, Ratnanagar has already collected the data and has begun verifying the individuals listed as landless.

After completing the verification work the municipality will start to survey lands for the certificate process, he added.

 The municipality has 2,450 families of landless squatters.

Similarly, Bharatpur Metropolitan City that has 15,700 families of landless people in its 29 wards is also working to distribute the certificates at the earliest.

“Coordination committees have been formed in ward levels by comprising representatives of major political parties to ease the process. The Metropolis itself has recruited 15 individuals for the process,” said Mayor Renu Dahal.

According to Dahal, if the process continues in the present pace, Bharatpur will begin to distribute the land ownership certificates in next three to six months.

Madi Municipality, which is surrounded by Chitwan National Park from all sides, is also collecting the data of the families of landless  squatters in each ward.

“There are some forms to be filled up by the landless squatters, which is expected to complete in two weeks. Each landless squatter will be provided up to six Kattha (one Kattha = approx. 338.62 m²) land for free while those living in disorganised manner will be provided up to one Bigha nine Kattha (one Bigha = 20 Kattha) land under the set programme ,” said Thakur Dhakal, Mayor of Madi Municipality.

There are about 700 families of landless squatters living in Badarjhula area of Madi for 30 years, but the local level has facing problem to provide  the land ownership certificates to them.

“The settlement is inside the Chitwan National Park and the park authority has not provided permission for the process. But we are trying to talk with the CNP to solve the problem,” said Dhakal.

Among other local levels in Chitwan, 4,232 families of landless squatters are in Kalika Municipality, where majority are from Chepang communities; 6,000 in Rapti Municipality; 2,500 in Khairahani Municipality and 4,500 in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality.

“We, local levels, will send the collected data and verification to the Landless Squatters’ Problems Resolution Commission. Under the Commission’s permission, all local levels will start distributing the land ownership certificates,” said Gita Gurung, chairperson at Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality.