Byas Rural Municipality in Darchula district is distributing galvanised zinc sheets to its residents as part of the campaign to reduce thatch fire.

Dilip Singh Budathoki, the municipal chairman, said metal roofs worth Rs 10 million were being given out to 238 households from Khalanga.

“The collection centre was set up in Khalanga because there is no motor road access to Byas,” he said.

The villagers were pleased when the municipal office announced the campaign last year, but soon their joy was dashed when they learned that they had to walk to the district headquarters to get the metal roofs.

“Carrying those zinc sheets back home is not an easy task. We have to take the route through India to reach Khalanga,” said Mohan Singh Dadal, a local man.

Budathoki said the municipal office was aware of the inconveniences faced by villagers, but it had no choice than to distribute the roofs from Khalanga.“Initially, we had planned to establish the collection centre at Sunsera, but it was not possible due to geographical difficulties,” he said, adding that they were planning to connect Byas with road network.