English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...

of Syangja, Buddha Khola of
Bandipur and Marfa of Mustang.
(Buddhi Prasad Pokharel:2063).
For e.g. the materials made by iron
from Dhulakot and Dhoreli are
popular in the villages.
• Mountains like Manasalu,
Himalchuli, Annapurna and
Machchhapuchhre that fall under
Tamu Hyule can attract domestic
and foreign mountaineers, and
such possibilities should be
properly utilized.
Challenges
1. The naming of the proposed state/
region as Tamu Hyule (Gurung State)
or Tamuwan Autonomous Region
may not be digestable to indigenous
peoples including Bahun, Chhetri residing
in that region. As there will not
be a majority of the Tamus in the State
Legislature (Bidhan Sabha), one cannot
rule out the possibility of a serious
dispute over this current name
and another alternative name may be
needed. The strong Chhetri community
in Kaski also calls for consideration
in this regard. Therefore, two options
are identified:
A. At first, seek to forge a consensus
to name the province Tamu Hyule
or Tamuwan. For this, consensus
should first be reached among the
indigenous peoples of the area—the
Tamang, Thakali, Magar, Chepang,
Dura, Balami and Tharu—followed
by a discussion with the Chhetri community,
Bahun community and others
providing them with reasons for
naming it Tamu Hyule or Tamuwan
and reaching agreement. This will be
the most appropriate way, and will remove
the concerns of other minority
ethnic groups including Thakali, Dura,
Majhi, Magar, etc.
B. Secondly, if dissatisfaction remains
and a dispute arises among other
indigenous nationalities and nonnationalities
on the name of Tamu Hyule
or Tamuwan, seeking alternative
names may provide the right solution.
2. While demarcating the proposed
Tamu Hyule/Tamuwan region, the
possibility of a dispute arising with
Tamang and other ethnic groups in
the east and Magar and other groups
in the west cannot be ignored. Therefore,
it will be appropriate to hold dialogue
and discussion beforehand.
3. The principle of inclusion and proportional
representation should be applied
in all opportunities of the state
in the proposed Tamu Hyule/Tamuwan
state. This helps to protect the Tamus
living outside the Tamu Hyule, i.e.
the Tamus residing in from Taplejung
to Kailali Kanchanpur. We can raise a
strong voice for prioritizing inclusion
and proportional representation and
this shall guarantee further consolidation
of unity among all the Tamus.
Our common issues (that we have been
raising)
1. The Tamu Hyule (Gurung state)/
Tamuwan should be ensured by
guaranteeing ethnic autonomy along
with the right to self-determination in
the Constitution.
2. As per the aspirations of general
Nepali people, the Constitution of the
federal democratic republic of Nepal
should be promulgated within the
scheduled time after determining the
federal states on the basis of ethnicity,
language and region.
3. The territory of the Tamu Hyule (Gurung
state)/Tamuwan should extend to the
Budhi Gandaki in the east, Kali Gandaki
in the west, and the international
38 Federalism Dialogues Series 5