Informal squatter settlement problem in the valley

The haphazard growth of settlements in the Kathmandu Valley is the result of rapid urbanization, growing poverty, and the high cost of land and construction. This has enforced the urban poor and economically disadvantaged groups to live in slum and squatter (Shrestha, 2010). Rapid escalation of the informal squatter problem in Kathmandu valley has mounted the plenty of risks along with it. Effective role of the government has not been witnessed and hundreds of local bodies and NGO’s have been proved futile to counter this issue.
Urban environment in most Nepalese cities is declining day by day over last couple of decades due to rapid uncontrolled urban growth and undoubtedly Kathmandu ranks the highest when placed accordingly. Numerous government organizations and local bodies are responsible to manage the areas in the valley but these sectors have been proved futile to make any remarkable changes in the situation. Mounting trend of migration in the valley is one of the key issues related to uncontrolled urban growth. Effective role of the government has not been witnessed and hundreds of local bodies and NGO’s have proved ineffective to counter the problems that are raised from the informal squatter settlements.

There are altogether 45 squatter settlements in the valley where 5 settlements are basically considered as indigenous settlements rather than squatter settlements. In these 40 settlements about 12,726 people are residing in 2,735 households and the average household size is 4.7. Out of 40 squatter settlements 24 are along the river banks of Bagmati, Bishnumati, Hanumante, Dhobikhola and Tukucha whereas 16 settlements are on the other locations rather than riverside (Lumanti, 2008). The settlements that are along the river side are highly vulnerable to the tainted environment and floods. River banks appear to be that area which highly attracts the squatter communities and the settlements are allowed to live and grow without government getting involved in tenure issues and improving the condition. Rapid urbanization, low socio-economic growth, inadequate capacity to cope with housing needs and poor governance has caused increase of urban poverty and slums and squatter settlements in the Kathmandu valley (Lumanti, 2008).
Rapid urbanization and deficient capability to the housing needs of people in urban areas have contributed to the expansion of informal squatter settlements. Almost 6.6% of the total population of the country enters the Kathmandu valley each year with the hope of getting better opportunities. The growth rate of squatter settlements in the Kathmandu valley is 12% to 13% which stimulates the flaming issue by adding fuel to the firewood (Shrestha, 2010). People residing in a squatter area tend to be highly vulnerable to the tainted environment and natural disaster risks. Squatter residents are prone to infectious and vector borne diseases. So it is a high time to think in this issue.

References
1. Shrestha, Bijaya K., Urban Landmark Conference, 2010. Retrieved online from: http://www.urbanlandmark.org.za/conference/2010_presentations/16.pdf
2. Status of Squatter Communities along Bagmati River and its tributaries in Kathmandu Valley, February 2008, Lumanti, Tahalchal.