Challenges and opportunities of border security at mustang district
Date
2025-04
Authors
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Publisher
APF Command and Staff College, Sanogaucharan, Kathmandu
Abstract
Border security is a fundamental aspect of national security, sovereignty and independence. Border security particularly in high altitude geographically challenging regions like Mustang district of Nepal is crucial for cross-border governance. This study explores the challenges and opportunities in securing the Nepal-China border, focusing on four key dimensions: physical security, trans-border crime, revenue support and civic action. By adopting a pragmatic world view, this research uses an exploratory sequential mixed model method design in gaining the insights to meet the objective of research from multiple perspective. Both primary and secondary data are extracted for this paper. In terms of qualitative analysis, primary data are taken from Key Informant by using purposive sampling technique and for FGD homogenous sampling are engaged. For quantitative analysis, field survey was conducted using purposive stratified sampling technique form 68 government official from Mustang district. Findings from qualitative analysis reveal 37 thematic area of challenges, opportunities and strategy under physical security, trans-border crime, revenue support and civil actions for Mustang border security. Mustang’s high-altitude terrain, extreme weather and limited infrastructure create significant barriers to effective border management. Security forces face logistical difficulties in patrolling and monitoring due to the lack of road networks, harsh climatic conditions, and inadequate technological resources. The high-altitude border, coupled with limited security deployment, contributes to risks such as smuggling, illegal trade, and undocumented cross-border movements. Despite these challenges, the study identifies substantial opportunities, including cross-border trade expansion, infrastructure development, and the use of advanced surveillance technologies such as drones and biometric identification systems. Increased security coordination between Nepalese and Chinese authorities, alongside community participation in border governance, is essential for enhancing security operations. From quantitative analysis, the regression coefficient under border security challenges shows climatic factor has maximum impact with (β) value of 0.494 as a highest factor whereas geographical barrier with (β) value of 0.119 as a lowest factor. In opportunities, local support have a highest (β) value of 0.487 and International collaboration have lowest (β) value of 0.034. Similarly, in strategy use of technology have highest (β) value of 0.487 and BADP have lowest (β) value of 0.086. The study recommends strengthening border security through the establishment of additional outposts, the deployment of modern surveillance systems, and an vi improved intelligence-sharing mechanism. Moreover, policy-level cooperation between Nepal and China is necessary to regulate trade, address security concerns, and facilitate controlled border movement. Mustang’s border holds economic potential if security frameworks are reinforced to mitigate illicit activities while promoting lawful commerce and tourism. By providing a contextualized analysis of Mustang’s border security landscape, this research contributes to policy discussions on high-altitude border governance, offering strategic insights for strengthening Nepal’s northern border security.
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Keywords
border#, governance, Crime