fig congress 2018 - Case Study : International Boundary Survey and Demarcation of Southeastern portion of Nepal with India
Buddhi Narayan Shrestha
Nepal-India boundary has been delimitated by the Treaty of Sugauli-1816 and subsequent treaties. According to the treaty, the River Mechi delineates the south-eastern borderline of Nepal with India. During Nepal-British India demarcation, Masonry Boundary Pillars were erected on the ground and maps were prepared on the basis of field survey. The first boundary map was published in January 1818 depicting the south-eastern portion of Nepal, consisting of river segment. British Surveyors had established masonry (Jumbo) pillars with a distance of 5 to 7 Miles. The actual borderline was somehow jig-jag between the pillars. So there were disputes on the lands. To make the boundary settled, Nepal and India formed 'Joint Boundary Committee' in 1981. Subsidiary pillars were established between two masonry pillars. During field work in 1996, Masonry Permanent Pillar (PP-1), along River Mechi, was not given status as the Main Pillar. During my ground inspection and field study, masonry pillar number PP-1, having 2 meter high and 3 meter round diameter with a ditch, is situated on just eastern bank of River Mechi. Other maps, as available were verified on the ground. Temporary bridge on the river Mechi is being constructed by Nepal. When I study the British map of 1818, symbol of masonry pillars have been drawn on the map mentioning 'Pillar of Masonry along the Boundary connecting the ditch at the angles.' Persian Map of 1874 depicts that the river Mechi is meandering nearly 475 to 1250 meters in five loops towards Nepal from the boundary pillars, In this case, if we take the PPs as main boundary pillars, it computes that 2.54 sq km area of Nepal has been encroached.
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