Susta: Why Does India Oppose the ‘Temporary Embankment’ Built by Locals on Nepalese Land?
Photo credit: BABU KHAN
Local tensions have calmed following reports that the temporary embankment constructed by residents on Nepalese territory in Susta, West Nawalparasi to prevent the Narayani River’s erosion, was dismantled by Indian authorities, according to local administration.
However, after the structure was destroyed, locals have expressed concern that the increased flow of water in the Narayani River could lead to flooding in their settlements.
The dispute arose when Indian authorities obstructed efforts to pile earth and sand to raise the riverbanks at potential erosion sites, leading to a brief confrontation between both parties on Sunday.
India has consistently blocked the construction of any permanent structures in the border area without bilateral agreement.
Locals from Susta have expressed dissatisfaction, emphasizing that they were merely repairing previously built temporary embankments collectively rather than creating new ones, but faced obstruction.
Risk of Flooding in Settlements
Photo credit: BABU KHAN
“At the spot where the embankment was initially constructed, we had raised the height to prevent Narayani River waters from seeping through,” local resident Munna Khan told the BBC. “After the Indian side dismantled it on Sunday, the risk of water entering the settlements has increased.”
Though the authorities of both countries are expected to engage in further discussions to reduce the risk, locals report that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) refused to allocate time for talks on Monday.
Chief District Officer of West Nawalparasi, Deepkaraj Nepal, confirmed that no discussions took place on Monday.
“There was some disagreement between both sides yesterday. However, the situation has calmed down due to efforts by Nepalese security forces. Coordination and discussions continue as necessary, but no separate meeting was held on Monday,” he stated.
Occasionally, flooding causes the Narayani River to change its course, leading to Susta’s eastern region becoming a disputed area between Nepal and India.
What is the Dispute?
For years, as the Narayani River eroded Nepalese land, the government of Nepal had been constructing embankments along the river’s eastern bank in recent years to prevent further erosion.
During the tenure of then-Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a budget was approved and a contract awarded to construct approximately 300 meters of embankments.
According to boundary expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, when 132 meters of embankments had been built, controversial remarks by then-Prime Minister Balendra Shah sparked Indian opposition to the project.
“In this context, locals independently took temporary initiatives by building a temporary embankment to stop the water flow, which triggered dispute and unrest between both sides on Sunday,” he explained.
A few months ago, during a parliamentary question session, Prime Minister Shah acknowledged, “After becoming prime minister, I realized that not only India but Nepal has also encroached upon Indian land.”
According to Teknarayan Upadhyay, chairperson of Susta Rural Municipality, following the controversial statements, the Indian side obstructed the project, leading the contractor to halt embankment construction.
“When government work stopped, villagers tried temporarily to control the water flow by placing bamboo fences and sacks of sand,” he said. “However, the structures they built were also dismantled.”
Chief District Officer Nepal added that the embankments constructed by locals were managed by the Nepalese Armed Police Force as well. “Since it’s close to the border, these measures were taken. People from there have managed it similarly.”
Following Sunday’s incident, locals are terrified at the prospect of Narayani water flooding their settlements, as explained by Babu Khan, an advisor to the ‘Save Susta Campaign.’
“Half of the monsoon season remains. Sometimes floods also come in the later months. The water hasn’t reached here yet, but we are living in fear,” he remarked.
Efforts to Find a Solution
Due to the Narayani River’s changing course, a long-standing boundary dispute exists in the Susta area. Both Nepal and India claim jurisdiction over the region.
Boundary expert Shrestha explains that according to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, the Narayani River flowed from north to south. However, due to the river’s shifting course, some regions in the eastern part were lost, with India currently occupying about 145 square kilometers of territory.
“Nepal has asserted that according to the permanent boundary agreement, even if the river changed its course, the eastern territory remains part of Nepal. However, India claims the eastern territory as its own, using the river’s shifted course as the border,” he said.
The absence of boundary pillars along 24 kilometers of the riverbank has added to the complexity of the issue.
Both countries’ authorities have acknowledged the boundary dispute in the region, but progress on resolving it remains limited.
In 2014, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal, a three-tier mechanism was established to address boundary issues. This encompasses a high-level Boundary Working Group, a survey team led by deputy directors of the survey departments, and a field survey team led by local administrators from both Nepal and India.
Boundary expert Shrestha said he is unaware of any serious discussions on resolving boundary disputes since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Nepal must prepare seriously for the forthcoming Survey Official Committee meeting, which was scheduled soon. Initial tasks include mapping the river according to the Sugauli Treaty.”
Survey department spokesperson Dayanand Joshi confirmed that the meeting will be held in India towards the end of the monsoon season. The agenda and Nepal’s lead representative are yet to be finalized.
“This is a routine technical meeting. The ongoing disputes related to the boundary and issues like Susta will not be discussed in this session,” Joshi stated.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has reiterated that boundary issues will be resolved through the established bilateral mechanisms.
“We plan to pursue these matters seriously based on facts, evidence, and necessity. Some issues may take time to resolve,” Minister Khanal told the BBC in an interview.
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