The families who were displaced after the government expanded the area of Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) 16 years ago have threatened to go on a protest.

They have issued a two-week deadline to the government to begin land distribution process.

Around 2,400 families have been living in temporary shelters at Dhakka, Dekhatabhuli and Banhara after they were displaced from their previous settlements.

Birbhan Singh Nayak, who represents a struggle committee of the displaced families, said they will renounce their citizenships and take to the streets if their demand is not addressed in two weeks.

“We are not going to remain quiet this time. The government must provide us land at any cost,” he said.

Over the years, the government has formed 29 probe committees to look into the case, but none have come up with a solution.

A task force formed by the Far-western Regional Forest Directorate has proposed the options between small land plot and Rs 500,000 cash to the displaced families.

  Bed Kumar Dhakal, a task force member, said that they have not allocated the area for land distribution yet.

 “We are still discussing the options,”he said. The displaced families have grown impatient with the procedures and committees.

“We have waited enough. The government should either take concrete decision to address our demand or face protest,” said Karna Chand, a member of the struggle committee.