The Itahari Sub-metropolitan city has brought the new law, Tharu (first citizen) Development Act 2080 BS, 2024 AD), for the development of Tharu Indigenous Peoples. The law has been enacted to protect, promote and develop Tharu culture, tradition, mother tongue education, language, belief systems, spiritual and sacred lands and even territories to some extent.
The law has recognized Thaurs residing in the municipality as first citizens and recognized their customary institutions and established new mechanisms to exercise their autonomy for cultural development and protection of the spiritual lands called ' Gramthan'.
The law has envisioned promoting the Tharu language as an official language, providing scholarships to the Tharu children, decent jobs to the Tharus based on the principle of proportional representation.
The law has referred to the preamble of the constitution including Articles 18 and 42, Local Government Operation Act 2017 and ILO Convention 169. The law has been enacted by the 14th municipal assembly held in January 2024.
