Bajhang, Aug. 17 -- After the main irrigation canal was destroyed during the construction of the Rayal-Utkadi-Thing road segment in 1984, residents of Rayal Jyulo, a small village in Kedarsyu Rural Municipality, were barred from carrying out any agricultural activities. Although the canal was later rebuilt during the Second Hill Irrigation Project, it was again destroyed during the construction of Jaya Prithvi Highway in 1995. Since then, agricultural activities in eight neighbouring villages-Seku, Dudil, Kanada, Sajh, Bagal, Rayal, Chaudala and Palikhet- have dwindled.

In order to combat the problem, two years ago, the villagers of Rayal came together to build an alternative canal. But that too was destroyed when the reconstruction of t...