Dozer and development in Panchthar district, Nepal

Abstract

Globally, infrastructure development such as road connectivity is one of the indicators of development. After the 1990s, Nepal’s road construction to connect rural areas to urban centers became the major developmental intervention. Such practice continues to effect throughout the Panchthar District after the formation of three tiered governments culminated of the regime change of 2006 after the decade long Maoist insurgency. Panchthar District is known for access road construction compared to other districts in the country. The present research attempts to understand road construction phenomenon via qualitative study approach following the thematic analysis. Although road construction in the district have contributed positively to livelihood outcomes by addressing five basic needs such as food, shelter, education, health, and employment. Alternatively, poorly designed and constructed roads put lives and properties at risk. The study revealed poor access roads are the leading cause of the social capital loss, recurrence of disasters and also the migration. Family tragedies because of deaths are added psychological impact in the community. The study suggests, ecological impact can be addressed through compliance measures required by the national laws and avoiding, minimizing and mitigation measures towards negative consequences such as by following environmental and social safeguard measures. For such measures to be effective community awareness and capacity building is quintessential to balance the needs and wants of the people aspiring for sustainable community development for now and to the future. Keywords: Connectivity, poorly designed, disasters, impact, compliance