Bhojraj Bhat, Nepal, 2 June

Marie Curie won two Nobel prizes for her pioneering work in the field of radioactivity. Her discovery of radioactive elements proved to be a boon for modern science. But the discovery of uranium in Tinbhangale of Makwanpur district seems to be doing more harm than good for its residents. Although the link between exposure to uranium and higher incidences of cancer and diseases in the region has not been proved yet, experts say there is a connection.

“Although exposure to radioactive rays doesn’t cause immediate harm, prolonged exposure through the air, water, crops, and animals is detrimental in the long run,” explains Professor Binil Aryal from the department of geology in TU. “People should not be allowed to build homes around areas where radioactive elements are found.”

Fourteen years ago, the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) discovered uranium in parts of Tinbhangale. Back then there were no houses around the site, today settlements have grown as people from Kavre’s Simle, Falengtar, Chitre, Saure, Jure, Dadegaun started migrating here since mid-60s. Almost everyone in the village suffers from diarrhoea, vomiting, and skin diseases. Other harmful effects of radioactivity such as hair fall, falling of nails, miscarriage during pregnancy, and lung diseases (like tuberculosis) are on the rise. Even the cattles fall sick often.

Santa Gyaneshwor Guro who lives in an area with the highest level of the radioactive element says he feels nauseous every time he enters the house. He has lost his appetite and has difficulties sleeping at night. Fellow villager Man Bahadur’s 57-year-old mother Kantimaya suddenly stopped talking three years ago. Numerous trips to the capital have proven unfruitful as the doctors cannot diagnose her. Man Bahadur himself looks emaciated and sick.

Lal Bahadur Lungwa of Chatiwan Katlekhola suffers from skin cancer. He says he noticed something that looked like an insect bite on his neck about 10 months ago. At first Lungwa didn’t pay much attention, but with time the bite began to hurt. He went from hospital to hospital seeking treatment but with little success. At Bharatpur Hospital that he discovered he had cancer.

Bhumeshwori Primary School lies 50km east of the region. According to a teacher Jima Kumari Jimba, the students there show signs of mental disorders. “They stare off into space and cannot remember their lessons. Sometimes the students even faint,” she says. 12 students out of a school of 150 are receiving scholarship for learning disability.

According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), human habitats should be evacuated if radioactive level crosses over five per cent. In 1987/88, the then Mionister of Forest Hem Bahadur Malla ordered the relocation of the people to Rangpur of Rautahat and Toriamai of Makwanpur. But the orders couldn’t be carried out as the Panchayat thought it was in alliance with Save Chure movement.

Bhojraj Bhat, Nepal, 2 June

Marie Curie won two Nobel prizes for her pioneering work in the field of radioactivity. Her discovery of radioactive elements proved to be a boon for modern science. But the discovery of uranium in Tinbhangale of Makwanpur district seems to be doing more harm than good for its residents. Although the link between exposure to uranium and higher incidences of cancer and diseases in the region has not been proved yet, experts say there is a connection.

“Although exposure to radioactive rays doesn’t cause immediate harm, prolonged exposure through the air, water, crops, and animals is detrimental in the long run,” explains Professor Binil Aryal from the department of geology in TU. “People should not be allowed to build homes around areas where radioactive elements are found.”

Fourteen years ago, the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) discovered uranium in parts of Tinbhangale. Back then there were no houses around the site, today settlements have grown as people from Kavre’s Simle, Falengtar, Chitre, Saure, Jure, Dadegaun started migrating here since mid-60s. Almost everyone in the village suffers from diarrhoea, vomiting, and skin diseases. Other harmful effects of radioactivity such as hair fall, falling of nails, miscarriage during pregnancy, and lung diseases (like tuberculosis) are on the rise. Even the cattles fall sick often.

Santa Gyaneshwor Guro who lives in an area with the highest level of the radioactive element says he feels nauseous every time he enters the house. He has lost his appetite and has difficulties sleeping at night. Fellow villager Man Bahadur’s 57-year-old mother Kantimaya suddenly stopped talking three years ago. Numerous trips to the capital have proven unfruitful as the doctors cannot diagnose her. Man Bahadur himself looks emaciated and sick.

Lal Bahadur Lungwa of Chatiwan Katlekhola suffers from skin cancer. He says he noticed something that looked like an insect bite on his neck about 10 months ago. At first Lungwa didn’t pay much attention, but with time the bite began to hurt. He went from hospital to hospital seeking treatment but with little success. At Bharatpur Hospital that he discovered he had cancer.

Bhumeshwori Primary School lies 50km east of the region. According to a teacher Jima Kumari Jimba, the students there show signs of mental disorders. “They stare off into space and cannot remember their lessons. Sometimes the students even faint,” she says. 12 students out of a school of 150 are receiving scholarship for learning disability.

According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), human habitats should be evacuated if radioactive level crosses over five per cent. In 1987/88, the then Mionister of Forest Hem Bahadur Malla ordered the relocation of the people to Rangpur of Rautahat and Toriamai of Makwanpur. But the orders couldn’t be carried out as the Panchayat thought it was in alliance with Save Chure movement.

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