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About 100 bighas of land in the Mardhar wetland area of Chandrapur Municipality-8, Rautahat, have been registered under an individual’s name. The municipality has filed a case at the Birgunj High Court seeking to cancel the registration and is requesting investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Chandrapur Municipality has halted land tax collection from this wetland area, claiming the public land was illegally transferred through collusion between political figures and land revenue officials. Mayor Sanjay Kafle said that after the Land Revenue Office in Chandranigahapur failed to revoke the land deeds, the municipality was compelled to take legal action.

The land issue dates back to the Panchayat era, during the tenure of then-Forest Minister Hem Bahadur Malla, when displaced settlers from Dhiyal in Makawanpur were relocated to this wetland. According to the Land Revenue Office, the then High-Level Commission for Forest Area Strengthening had allocated around 80 bighas to the settlers. The municipality argues that this decision led to the encroachment of the remaining wetland, which was later registered in individual names under the pretext of resettlement.

A letter from the commission cites a Cabinet decision from 27 May 1989, that allowed the division of wetland land among displaced individuals, with many receiving 10 katta each. Safala Neupane of Dhiyal, Makawanpur, received a title deed for 7 katta in plot number 170.

Documents at the Land Revenue Office show that 19 other individuals also received land titles, each averaging 10 katta. Many of the original settlers were supposed to be relocated to Gujara Municipality (then Rangpur VDC), but Chandrapur suspects that some may have colluded with land mafias to register the Mardhar land in their names.

Out of the total 100 bighas, 10 bighas—including the lake—have reportedly been registered to private individuals. Among the listed names are Yadav Adhikari, Ramadevi Parajuli, Subodh Kumar Nepal, and Basant Prasad Dahal of Dhiyal, who hold ownership documents for the wetland area.

Mayor Kafle stated that the municipality is open to reconciling with relevant bodies but remains committed to reclaiming the public wetland.

In the last fiscal year, the Madhesh Province Ministry of Tourism spent Rs 3.5m on infrastructure for wetland conservation, including rest houses, toilets, and fencing. The provincial government had allocated Rs 15m for Mardhar’s development, but the funds were returned after the land’s private registration came to light.

On Dec 5, the municipality formally requested the Land Revenue Office Chandranigahapur to begin the cancellation process. However, the office cited an earlier commission letter saying that cancellation was no longer possible, as the land had already been transferred to private ownership.

Legal advisor Advocate Dilip Koirala said that the title deeds had already been collected in the presence of ward representatives six months ago. According to him, the land should only have been granted to landless individuals and only if they had no alternative property. Since the titleholders have not contacted the municipality so far, Koirala said preparations are underway to file a writ in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the land titles.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has emphasized on adopting a nature-friendly lifestyle. 

President Paudel said this in his message of best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of the World Environment Day (June 5) on Thursday. 

"The haphazard and unscientific use of plastic polymers has created plastic waste, which is becoming a challenging environmental issue. In accordance with the concept that development and the environment are complementary to each other, I sincerely urge everyone to adopt a nature-oriented lifestyle and promote activities for environmental improvement”, the Head of the State noted. 

On the World Environment Day being marked with the slogan 'Reducing Plastic Pollution: Our Responsibility', now is the time to pledge for the improvement of environment around our homes, making ecological relationships between forests, water, vegetation, agriculture, and wildlife live and meaningful and uphold every citizen's right to live in a clean and healthy environment, the message reads. 

The President has emphasized the need for all of us to focus on how to maintain interdependent relationships between the environment and nature sustainable, urging all Nepali sisters and brothers to unite and engage in activities to improve the environment while reducing pollution caused by plastic use. 

He also expressed gratitude to all associated actors, including government and non-government organisations, development partners, and others involved in the profound responsibility of environmental conservation and enhancement, 

President Paudel wished that the day may provide additional solidarity and enthusiasm for the implementation of the matters that Nepal has raised in various national and international forums and the commitments made to mitigate the environmental impacts arising from air, water, and land pollution.

World Environment Day is being celebrated in different countries of the world with the slogan 'Alleviating plastic pollution: our responsibility'. 

It is also being marked in different parts of the country by organising different programs. 

The United Nations (UN) has called for the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5 every year since 1973. 

Today, this day is being celebrated in South Korea with a special program, as stated by the United Nations.

According to the United Nations, 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced on Earth every year, with only 10 percent of the waste being recycled, and 11 million tons of plastic being discharged into rivers, lakes, and oceans. 

Today is also the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. This day has been observed since 2017, at the invitation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

To address the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared 5 June as the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

The FAO emphasizes that the trend of illegal fishing must be ended to achieve sustainable development goals. Every year, 11 million to 26 million tons of fish are caught illegally, resulting in loss of billions of dollars, the FAO reported. 

Bali will ban the production and sale of plastic water bottles under one litre starting January 2025 to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.

Governor I Wayan Koster stated that the measure has to be taken because landfills are nearing capacity, primarily due to single-use plastics. The initiative, which is supported by the central government, expands on previous prohibitions on plastic bags and straws, Xinhua reported.

Noncompliance may result in canceled business permissions or the loss of public funds. Authorities anticipate that the action will establish Bali as a model for sustainable tourism.