The socio-economic and environmental impact of Bhutanese Refugee camp of Beldangi in Damak Municipality of Jhapa District)

Abstract

The problem of refuge is rapidly increasing in the world day by day, even though it is not a new problem in the world's history. Before several centuries the people who were not in favor of the governments law, political system, tradition and culture, they were victimized as refugee. In the world's history, many famous personalities had to face these problems. Some of them are Albert Einstein, Maying Bran, Henry Kissinger. In Nepalese context B.P. Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh, Man Mohan Adhikari etc are some personalities who were made refugee for certain period of time. For seventeen years now, Nepal has seen an enormous influx of Bhutanese refugees. These refugees are ethnic Nepalese, who have been living in southern Bhutan for up to four generations called as Lhotshampa by Bhutanese Governments. The Drukpa government implemented the decree of 'one nation one people' based on "Driglam Namga". According to the refugee's law, refugees must reside within their camps and not be engaged in economic activities outside the camp. In practice neither refugees are following this law nor is government of Nepal being able to effectively implement this law. As a result, employment opportunities and wage rate of Nepalese citizen is affected on the side the people of Nepal are suffering from lock of employment opportunities, and in other side refugees are obtaining facilities provided by UNHCR and other national and international organizations and at the same time. There are 1,80,000 refugees have been living in Nepal (Source: LWF, 2008) out of them 92,919 refugees have been living in Jhapa and 30,000 in Morang districts. There are 57,081 Bhutanese refugees at Beldangi 1 and Beldangi 2 refugee's camp. The presence of large number of refugees in close vicinity of the local community they have been bearing many negative impacts. Own of the livelihood activities. Since Nepal is developing country the state is still to manage the sufficient basic requirements to her own people. In such on situation the enforced Bhutanese refugees have become emerging issues for nation. So, to repatriate the Refugee Joint Verification (JVT) team has started to recognize the refugees. UNHCR has also been exercising to solve the refugee's problem as soon as possible. This verification programme has made the refugee very hopeful to repatriate to their homeland but the norms of acceptance by the Bhutani Government is still to be resolved bilaterally or multilateral.