This evaluation study was conducted to determine the extent
to which the Western Hills Road (WHR, from Dhangarhi in Terai
to Dadeldhura in Hills) has made a social impact upon the lives
of the people in its area of influence. USAID/N financed the
construction of the 135 krn road which was completed in 1979.
Later in 1979, AID/Nepal provided financial assistance to HMG/N
through the Landslide and Soil Stabilization Project, (LSS) to
stabilize the road and minimize the risk of future landslides
on the road.
In the main, the impacts 6f the WHR are impressive. The price
differentials of essential commodities not locally produced in
the Hills like salt, kerosene and sugar have significantly
narrowed with the advent of the road. On the other hand, the
price received by the producer of exported goods, particularly
ghee, has increased resulting from improved transportation.
This contributes to the increased rural income.
Though there is much left to accomplish with regard to adoption
of modern agricultural technology, the contribution of improved
varieties of major foodgrain crops, paddy and wheat to increased
total production is recognized. In the meantime, more forest
and marginal lands, especially in the Terai, were brought under
plow. The transportation of foodgrains and modern agricultural
ii.
inputs like seeds, fertilizers and pesticides has been
facilitated by the road. During the past few years, traditional
consumption habits have changed, especially by including a
wider variety of vegetables in the diet.
There are now some 210 production industries (mostly agro-based)
in Dhangarhi. Industries generating significant emp~oyment
opportunities are non-existent in Dadeldhura. The turpentine
factory under construction at Dhangarhi will probably generate
some employment and will utilize pine pitch that comes from
the Hills. The pine pitch exported to India in 1982/83
contributed about Rs.206,092 to government revenue.
There is increasing awareness, especially among younger and
educated parents, to limit the size of a family. People using
both contraceptives and surgical services were found, but the
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access of women to these methods was limited because of the
lack of female motivators in the villages; female surgeons tend
to be unwilling to visit these places. The responses by men
. for not practising family planning methods were lack of
awareness, self control, few children, shaman, unwillingness
and frustration.
People have learned to visit the hospital, but the treatment
depends on the ability of a patient to buy medicines.
Respondents sent their sons to school, some educated their
daughters too. Available statistics shows greater enrollment
o
o
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of both boys and girls in school. The forest degradation due
to increasing population and heavy grazing has doubled the
time needed for collecting fuelwood and fodder. On the other hand,
t:ime required for fetching drinking water has shortened with
availability of polythene pipes. Some of these effects are
more direqtly related to the road than others.
During and after the construction of the road, there have been
opportunities for jobs locally. The construction of extension
and feeder roads has employed unskilled laborers who otherwise
went to the Terai or to India for seasonal employment.
The fiscal procedure developed and adopted in the LSS project
proved effective in the smooth running of the project. Since
1982/83, a similar procedure has been adopted by AID and
HMG/N for all bilaterally or multilaterally financed projects
in the Kingdom.
Bus and truck traffic average 3.4 and 7.5 units per day to
Dadeldhura. Monthly bus t~affic is an estimated 550,000
passenger km. A monthly average of 1575 tons of freight is
carried over the road. The traditional porterage system
along the road corridor has collapsed and would probably
~fficult to revive.