Jagdamba Steel Accused of Encroaching on Parsa National Park Land

A long-pending case involving alleged land encroachment by Jagadamba Steel Pvt. Ltd. in Bara has remained unresolved, with official documents circulating between authorities for nearly two years without concrete action.

The issue concerns claims that the company has occupied more than 25 bighas of land belonging to Parsa National Park. Despite the seriousness of the allegation, progress has been slow, with files repeatedly exchanged between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and park authorities.

The controversy came to light after a complaint was lodged with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), prompting an official inquiry. The anti-graft body requested detailed documentation from the wildlife department, which in turn sought clarification from the national park. However, instead of decisive action, the process has largely been limited to correspondence between agencies.

The complaint alleges that the industry not only occupied protected land but also secured ownership certificates and constructed infrastructure on it. It further claims that nearby industrial units may have similarly encroached on additional park land, raising concerns about broader misuse of public property.

Local stakeholders and conservation representatives have expressed frustration over the lack of progress. According to officials associated with the park’s buffer zone, multiple letters have been exchanged over the past two years, yet no concrete steps have been taken to reclaim the land or determine accountability.

Adding to the controversy, preliminary findings suggest that a natural water channel locally known as the Bhangre stream has been altered and used by the industry, potentially affecting the surrounding ecosystem. Authorities had sought technical support from land and survey offices to assess the extent of encroachment, but a comprehensive investigation is still pending.

The case also raises broader questions about governance and coordination among state agencies. Uncertainty remains over whether the land currently used by the company is entirely private or if public land was gradually converted through administrative lapses or collusion involving multiple institutions.

Officials from the national park have stated that detailed information will only be made public after the investigation is completed. Until then, the case continues to highlight delays in addressing sensitive issues related to land use, environmental protection, and accountability.