Figure

• Political/legislative aspects: This highlights the local level policies adopted by the individual local governments that impact the activities in the border towns. • Economic aspects: Economic activities that are peculiar to the given border town have been analysed.

It tries to answer the questions of why certain economic activities are more common in that particular border town compared to others, and how such activities impact the bordering regions. • Social aspect: Peculiar social characteristics of border town have been determined and analysed.

Social issues such as migration (inward/outward), poverty, and livelihood, etc. have been determined.

Observation

Kodari

It has been the primary corridor for bilateral trade between Nepal and Tibet (now China) for more than half a

century.

Rasuwa Birgunj

Political aspects

Rasuwagadhi border point rose to prominence post2015 earthquake as Kodari border point was shut. Largest volume of trade of Nepal takes place through this point and thus its economic importance has been misused for political causes.

Bhadrapur

The region is yet to be politically recognised at the national level despite being strategically located.

The Government of China views the KodariZhangmu border region and Araniko Highway as security-sensitive area.

A border zone through an agreement allows border residents to cross the border up to 30 km on either side without a passport or visa. The plans of Government of China to extend railways to Kerung by 2020 as a part of its Belt and Road Initiative has further aided Rasuwagadhi’s irrevocable rise to prominence.

China elevated the border point as an international checkpoint in 2017 and subsequently allowed people from third countries to cross the border. Due to occasional geo-political tensions between India and Nepal, this border region has been a victim of political turmoil.

The political tensions between Nepal and India such as the economic blockade impact local residents on both sides of the border. Border inhabitants on the Nepali side of the border seem dissatisfied with the lack of action on promises made by political parties in the area.

Local government’s efforts and promises seem passive at best in the region.