7-8 Poush, 2081 (22-23 December 2024) Bagarapur Homestay, Rapti-6, Dang
The Annual Participatory Review and Reflection Program of CSRC took place from 22-23 December 2024 at the Rapti Tharu Community Homestay’s Community Hall in Rapti-6, Bagarapur, Dang. Participants included representatives from the National Land Rights Forum, 13 District Land Rights Forums, Mukta Kamaiya Samaaj, Mukta Kamlari Samaaj, Guthi tenant farmers and the CSRC staff.
A total of 70 participants (38 men, 32 women) were present in the event. The L4ACT team from Dang facilitated the program.
Jagat Deuja, Executive Director of CSRC addressed the event by saying, “It is a participatory program, so we must learn and share knowledge between the experienced and new participants in the field of land-agriculture movements. He also emphasized that ‘everyone should be eager to learn new things while simultaneously building on past experiences.’’
The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Mr. Prakash Bista, Chairperson of the Rapti Rural Municipality. He highlighted the key initiatives being undertaken in the rural municipality. These include the Land Lease Program Subsidy, promotion of organic agriculture through compost enterprises, and the bamboo furniture industry which engages youth and women. Additionally, there are projects such as incense stick preparation from dried marigold flowers and camphor, soap production from neem and papaya, and the creation of herbal dishwashing liquid from lemon.
Mr. Deepak Chaudhary, Ward Chairperson of Rapti-6, mentioned that Ailani land has been allocated to the landless residents, and the process of distributing Nissa is currently underway. Within 1-2 years, the landless people residing in this ward will receive their land ownership certificates.
Mr. Lyam Bahadur Darji, Chairperson of NLRF concluded the formal session of the program with his words: ‘The establishment of the NLRF has assisted in providing Land Ownership Certificates to some landless people. CSRC has been organizing the annual program consistently, which helps to unite people from different districts. For us, it feels like a great festival.’
The program also highlighted the rich and vibrant culture of the Tharu community, featuring their preparation of local delicacies and captivating cultural dance performances.”
On the 2nd day, the participants were divided into four groups for community visits to various locations, including Bhagwanpur, Badka Sisaniya, and Saljhandi in Rapti Rural Municipality, and Parsia in Gadhawa Rural Municipality. These visits aimed to foster community engagement, understand local issues, and gather insights directly from the community members. Each group had the opportunity to interact with community members, learn about their challenges and successes, and explore potential collaborative efforts to support local development.
Vice chairperson of Rapti Rural Municipality, MS. Kamalapati Chaudhary at the community visit to Bhagwanpur. The participants shared their annual achievements, lessons learned, and challenges faced during land-agriculture campaigns.
The main achievements included the expansion of Land Rights Forum activities beyond land issues, with involvement in organizing Agriculture Farmer Groups to help uplift landless people. Common challenges highlighted were the lack of financial resources within the Land Rights Forum and delays in forming the District Land Commission.
This event allowed land rights campaigners from different districts facing similar issues to unite, exchange achievements, and share lessons and challenges. This collaboration is seen as a source of motivation for their future work.
Major Achievements of 2024
- The Swargadwari Guthi Pidit Mohi Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, the National Land Rights Forum (NLRF) and CSRC, successfully organized a two-day national conference of Guthi tenant farmers in Ghorahi, Dang in 8th to 9th April 2024. This significant event brought together over 2,000 farmers from 14 districts, creating a powerful platform for collective action and advocacy. As a result, issued a nine-point declaration, outlining key demands such as the enactment of a Guthi Act and the issuance of land ownership certificates.
- 179 Households received Land Ownership Certificates, 354 HHs received Village Block Ownership Certificates, 16 families received Mohi Tenant Ownership Certificate.
- The Land Management Training Centre, Habitat for Humanity, and CSRC have collaboratively developed a comprehensive land literacy curriculum. This curriculum is designed to educate communities on essential land management practices, rights, and responsibilities. The module consists of 16 sessions.
Bharat Giri Secretary, Swargaduwari Guthi affected Committee stated, ‘ The Swargaduwari Ashram in Pyuthan has 12 areas, affecting 3,000 households and 15,000 people who have been cultivating guthi land for generations. We paid the land revenue to the government, but as our families grew, it became challenging to continue payments, leading to a halt. The struggles of those affected by guthi land issues have driven movements to seek solutions. ‘ Achievements include the conduct of a guthi seminar, activists being able to express their suffering and build closer bonds, leaders realizing that protests can be self-funded, and the publication of a book featuring the people involved in these movements.
