Key Developments in Nepal-India Boundary Work
In a significant move, senior officials from Nepal and India have committed to completing the bilateral boundary work within three years. This decision was made during the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Boundary Working Group (BWG) held in New Delhi. The agreement marks a renewed effort to address long-standing issues that have delayed progress over the past several years.
Previously, the two countries had set deadlines for completing the technical tasks related to the border, first in 2015 and then in 2017. However, these timelines were not met due to various challenges such as insufficient funding, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, disputes over boundaries, and adverse climatic conditions. The last BWG meeting took place in 2019, leading to a six-year gap before the current session.
Prakash Joshi, Director General at the Department of Survey, emphasized that the new timeline aims to resume fieldwork as soon as possible. He highlighted that the BWG has been tasked with completing the technical work on the Nepal-India border, excluding Susta and Kalapani, within this three-year period. The goal includes constructing new boundary pillars, repairing damaged ones, and documenting cross-holdings of properties by citizens on both sides.
Addressing Property Holdings and Boundary Disputes
One of the critical aspects of the boundary work involves addressing property holdings across the border. There are documented cases where Nepali nationals cultivate land on the Indian side, and Indian nationals occupy and cultivate land within Nepali territory. These cross-holdings need to be properly documented so that higher authorities can resolve them in the future.
The meeting also discussed the need to upgrade and update the global positioning system (GPS) base station used for mapping the Nepal-India boundary. Both countries utilize the Nepal-India Boundary Global Navigation Satellite System (NIB GNSS), which has been instrumental in creating accurate maps of the border. The latest map, prepared in 2007, consists of 182 sheets and serves as the basis for constructing new boundary pillars and clearing no-man’s land.
Role of Supporting Mechanisms
To ensure the successful completion of the boundary work, the two countries have established supporting mechanisms such as the Survey Officials’ Committee (SOC) and the Joint Field Survey Teams (FSTs). These teams are responsible for constructing, restoring, and repairing boundary pillars, clearing no-man’s land, GPS mapping, and collecting data on property holdings across the border.
Over the past six years, the Armed Police Force (APF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have taken on some of these responsibilities, including conducting field surveys and maintaining damaged pillars. The upcoming SOC meeting will seek their support in preparing the timeline for the next phase of work.
Progress and Future Steps
The meeting reviewed the implementation of outcomes from the 6th BWG Meeting held in August 2019, as well as the progress of works from the 11th SOC Meeting in September 2019. Both sides adopted updated modalities for the inspection, repair, and maintenance of boundary pillars and agreed to adopt new technologies to enhance efficiency.
The next SOC meeting is scheduled to take place in Nepal in August, while the next BWG meeting will be held at a mutually convenient date. The BWG, established in 2014, is a joint body tasked with carrying out technical tasks related to the border.
Challenges and Ongoing Efforts
Nepal and India share a 1,880 km long border spanning 27 districts. Before the pandemic, boundary work in Jhapa, Sunsari, Kailali, and Parsa districts was completed. However, challenges remain, particularly in areas where river courses have changed, leading to shifts in land ownership.
According to a Nepali participant, most property holding problems stem from these changes in river courses. Collecting complete data on citizens’ property holdings on both sides of the border remains a major challenge. The SOC and FSTs continue to work on gathering this information, ensuring that all relevant data is collected and reported accurately.
With the renewed commitment to complete the boundary work within three years, the focus now is on resuming field operations, improving coordination between the two countries, and leveraging technology to achieve efficient and accurate results.
