Bhojpur. Nepal is a country with good mineral potential. There are iron mines in many parts of the country. Some iron and mineral industries have also been closed after operation.
Due to the closure of iron mines in their own country, there is a compulsion of the country to import iron from foreign countries. Similarly, the ‘Selme Iron Mine’ at Temkemaiung Rural Municipality-9 in Bhojpur district has been hit.
The Selme iron ore mine, which was in operation till 2013 BS, is now closed. The mine, which has a history of nearly 150 years, is now closed. Locals have demanded that the state should pay attention to the operation of this iron mine after a long time of closure.
Till decades ago, kaligads here were making materials from the iron produced here. According to the locals, after the closure of the iron mine here, they have to depend on the iron brought from elsewhere. They said that it would be easier if the state investigates the necessary possibilities and operates the mines here.
Locals have demanded that the state should pay attention to bring the Selme iron mine into operation. According to local experts, iron extracted from here was exported to the district as well as the outlying districts at that time.
Man Kumar Bishwakarma, a local kaligad, said the selme iron mine is a historic iron mine and the state should carry out necessary studies and take initiative for excavation. Selme’s iron is considered excellent, he said. According to Bishwakarma, the economic condition of the locals would also improve if the iron mines here could be brought into operation.
“The state needs to carry out study and research for the operation of selme iron mine,” he said. Iron rods and kits can still be seen here along with the iron excavated pits. The iron here is considered to be one of the best irons. Materials made hundreds of years ago from iron are still found in the villages.
Bishwakarma said that although the elders are doing kaligad occupation using iron here, the present generation has to buy iron from outside and take care of the profession. Although many people of Selme village have been pursuing kaligad profession professionally, the number of people leaving the profession is increasing due to various problems, he said. He said that if this mine is operated, employment will be created at the local level.
Local Kaligad Harkaraj Bishwakarma said that the iron excavated in Selme is very excellent, so the materials made from iron can still be found in the villages. According to him, his ancestors used to excavate iron and make necessary materials.
Tirtha Kumar Bishwakarma, another Kaligad, said that the industry can be operated using the iron from Bhojpur as khukuri is the pride of Bhojpur. He believes that making khukuri using iron here will help in taking bhojpur’s identity to the world.
“Bhojpur is a district known for khukuri,” he said. Ironically, due to the closure of the iron mine here, there is a situation to make it from imported iron. If it were made from iron, it would have shown a different significance. ‘
About nine families in the Selme area are still engaged in kaligad professional occupation. “Bajebraju used to run the iron industry from here,” he said, adding, “The mine has been closed when it came to our turn. ‘
Ward chair Nabraj Mangpahang said that the iron mine was operated three to four generations ago i.e. about 150 years ago and remained in operation till 2013 BS. According to him, iron thread is found in Selme, Devi Khola, Chhokla and other places here.
He said thousands of people could be employed if the iron mines in the Selme area could be reopened. Even today, iron-made khukuri, agricultural tools, katti, khurpa and other materials are found in the villages.
Ward Chair Mangpahang said the state needs to pay attention to the operation of the Selme iron mine, which is the country’s property. According to ward chair Mangpahang, the state government and the central government need to pay attention to the operation of this iron mine.
“It is not possible to work from the ward level for the operation of this mine,” he said, adding, “We are informing the state bodies from our level about the possibilities here.” If it is brought into operation, it will not only help bhojpur but also the economic condition of the country. ‘
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