On 5 January 2026, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled in favor of 56 petitioners from the Gurung and Ghale Indigenous communities in Siurung Village, Lamjung, protecting their sacred lands, environment and cultural heritage. The decision stops a proposed road from Pramdukhon to Kalaghiring that threatened over 200 burial sites, temples, monasteries, and other landmarks central to the communities’ identity and spirituality.
The Court held that proceeding with the project would violate Indigenous cultural and religious rights, customary land rights, and environmental protections under Nepalese law. It also highlighted threats to forests, wildlife, and biodiversity in the Annapurna Conservation Area, emphasizing that development cannot come at the expense of sacred lands, living culture, or natural resources.
The petition, filed with support from LAHURNIP, sets a national precedent requiring development to respect Indigenous rights, cultural traditions, and the environment.
