In August 2026, LAHURNIP and the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) submitted a communication to three UN Special Rapporteurs on reported human-rights impacts affecting Indigenous Peoples around Banke National Park, particularly in Wards 1 and 7 of Babai Rural Municipality, Dang.
The submission highlights concerns over recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ ancestral lands, territories and natural resources; self-determination; customary resource use; livelihoods; human–wildlife conflict; conservation enforcement; and displacement and relocation .LAHURNIP’s 2026 fact-finding mission reveals significant displacement, with 312 households having moved elsewhere and 10 settlements reportedly abandoned. More than 80% of the affected population are identified as Magar Indigenous Peoples.
The organizations call for legal recognition of Indigenous lands, territories and resources, respect for self-determination and FPIC, meaningful participation in conservation governance, protection against forced displacement, and effective measures to address human–wildlife conflict.
Communication requested the UN Special Procedures to raise these concerns with the Government of Nepal and seek appropriate measures to protect the rights of affected Indigenous communities.
