Due to effective mediation done on a dispute related to a public road at Suda VDC-7, Kanchanpur, locals recognized the importance of a mediation center and multi-stakeholder mediation program available in their VDC.
A dispute that arose over the soil erosion caused by the Musepaani River was resolved. The river had been causing soil erosion upon Kishan Singh Saud’s land located at the bank of the river, and deposited soil and sand therein. He endured a huge loss but then he started to compensate his loss by digging out and selling the accretion. As a result, it caused a huge cavity in the land and further created a mess in the public road that touched upon the land, and eventually resulting in problems in the community people’s mobility. A local Jayadutta Joshi tried to convince Kishan not to continue doing so saying that it could invite a huge flood and disaster in their village during rainy season. But he did not pay attention to the suggestion therefore conflict ensued and escalated overtime. When it came to a health worker’s notice, she suggested them to go for mediation. On November 30, 2014, the case was mediated. Including Kishan and Jayadutta, there were 6 other stakeholders.
In the mediation session, Kishan opined that he had suffered a great loss due to the river and now that he was making some money out of selling stuffs from his land, other villagers envied him; furthermore, he had every right to use his land as he liked. On the other hand, the people at the other end contended that though they endorsed whatever Kishan said, they in no way could ignore the fact that his act would invite a disaster in the rainy season and thus, they were just trying to avoid the imminent situation. Both the sides became very violent, and it took long for the mediators to calm them down, listen to them, rephrase their sayings and work for the solution. Ultimately, all of them converged – they would go to the district development committee office requesting for building walls at the edges of the river and also make proper management of the small inlets. Kishan would level off his land, and fill-up the furrow, and would not obstruct the road anymore. The dispute took complete five hours to get settled. The people of Suda-7, Knachanpur were amazed to see such a big conflict resolved within the short time, and even with both the sides winning and restoring their relationship as well. In the follow up monitoring visit, mediation agreements were found to be well implemented.
