As a global network of over 300 organizations advocating for economic, social, and environmental justice, we had issued an urgent appeal to the Government of Nepal, calling for an immediate halt to the Pathibhara cable car project in the Taplejung district. The letter, addressed to Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, highlights serious human rights violations, particularly against the Indigenous Limbu People, and raises alarms over environmental destruction.
The Pathibhara area, known as Mukkumlung in the Limbu’s Mundhum tradition, is a sacred site for the Indigenous community. We warn that the construction of the cable car has proceeded without obtaining the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the Limbu People, in direct violation of international treaties, including ILO Convention No. 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Tensions escalated on January 25, 2025, when a confrontation between protesters and security forces resulted in multiple injuries, including gunshot wounds sustained by two demonstrators. We strongly condemn the excessive use of force and the militarized response to peaceful protests.
We are urging the Nepalese government to:
- Immediately suspend the cable car project and conduct meaningful consultations with Indigenous communities.
- Withdraw security forces from the area to de-escalate tensions and uphold the right to peaceful assembly.
- Launch an independent investigation into the January 25 violence and hold accountable those responsible for excessive force.
- Release individuals unlawfully arrested in connection with the protests.
This project not only threatens the cultural and environmental integrity of the region but also undermines Indigenous rights and the fundamental principles of self-determination. We call on the government to take immediate steps to ensure that development does not come at the cost of human rights violations.”
Chris Grove, Executive Director of ESCR-Net
We urge Nepalese authorities to engage in a genuine dialogue with the Limbu People and affected communities, ensuring that all development projects align with human rights commitments. We stand in solidarity with the Human Rights Awareness Center and other grassroots organizations working to protect Indigenous rights in Nepal.
