Mukkumlung (Pathibhara in Khas-Nepali), a sacred site in the hills of Taplejung, a hilly district in the east, holds a special place for the indigenous community of Yakthung (Limbu).
For generations, they have revered the site with care and devotion. But currently, it has become a focal point of contention, reflecting deeper issues of identity, heritage, and the cost of unchecked development.
The transformation of Mukkumlung into Pathibhara during the Panchayat era led to its assimilation into mainstream Hindu traditions. The establishment of the Pathibhara Devi Temple in the northeast of Phungling Municipality further solidified this shift. This temple has since become one of the most significant religious sites, attracting thousands of worshippers across the country and border.
But this change is emblematic of a broader erasure of Yakthung’s cultural heritage, exacerbated by government-endorsed development projects disregarding their history and rights.
The Yakthung community has advocated against the co-opting of their sacred site. And now, an entirely new, somehow worse situation developed: the infamous cable car project. As expected, the tensions surrounding Mukkumlung increased tenfold.
The cable car project, led by Pathibhara Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd. under the Yeti Business Group, is riddled with controversy. The $22 million project, funded by Chandra Prasad Dhakal’s Global IME Group, aims to make the temple more accessible.
Proponents argue that the cable car will boost local tourism and development. For the Yakthung and other Indigenous groups, however, the apparent development potential poses a direct threat to their cultural and spiritual heritage.
Opposition to the cable car has been fierce, with activists highlighting the environmental and cultural costs of the project. The construction has already led to the destruction of 12,000 trees, including rhododendrons, the national flower.
The local protest coalitions organised a strike to voice their discontent. The strike put the district capital, Phungling, at a halt, affecting its 29,000 residents.
Activists also took legal measures to halt the project. Shankar Limbu, an Indigenous lawyer, filed a case with Nepal’s Supreme Court, arguing that the cable car violates several laws, including a 1774 treaty between the Limbu and Prithvi Narayan Shah.
This treaty, along with the constitution and international laws, guarantees the protection of Indigenous lands, territories, and resources. Despite these legal safeguards, the government has continued to push the project forward since declaring it a national priority in 2018.
But the hostility is not new. In the 1990s, the installation of a Pathibhara Devi statue at the site sparked underlying cultural and religious disputes. For over seven years, Indigenous and ethnic groups, particularly the Yakthung community, have demanded the recognition of the site’s original name, Mukkumlung, and its preservation.
The government-established Armed Police and Civil Police offices near the sacred site have only deepened the rift, causing repeated clashes between protestors and security forces.
The arrest of the three individuals is the latest chapter in this ongoing struggle. The Mukkumlung Joint Struggle Committee claims that activists have faced frequent attacks from individuals on the side of the cable car project.
For many, the conflict over Mukkumlung is symbolic of broader systemic issues faced by Indigenous communities. The renaming of Province No. 1 to Koshi in 2023 rejects long-standing demands to recognise it as Kirat-Limbuwan Province.
“The cable car project is simply the continuation of historical discrimination in a modern form,” said Kailash Rai, a researcher at Martin Chautari, a Kathmandu-based think tank.
Speaking of which, on November 8, 2024, protestors were assaulted, leaving two people injured: Chandramaden and Arjun Limbu, a porter in the area. While Chandramaden has recovered, Arjun Limbu’s condition remains critical.
Despite filing complaints against the attackers, the police have reportedly failed to act. In response, a writ petition was filed at the High Court in Ilam, which issued a “show cause” order on December 1. However, the court has yet to hear the case.
On January 1, 2025, Wednesday night, three young individuals, Janam Idhingo Limbu, Sanjog Nugo, and Sushil Nugo, were arrested in Taplejung Bazaar for their alleged involvement in the Mukkumlung conservation movement. According to activist Saru Singak, an advisor to the Mukkumlung Joint Struggle Committee, the three had travelled from Ilam to visit the sacred site.
“They were detained at around 9 p.m. while welcoming pilgrims who had come for a special worship ceremony.” Struggle Committee Coordinator Shreelingkhim Limbu states.
The arrests followed an altercation earlier that evening, where pilgrims were reportedly assaulted by youths in favour of the cable car project. The arrested individuals were held at the District Police Office.
“Instead of arresting those involved in the assault, the police unjustly detained the pilgrims, further fuelling the tensions,” Shreelingkhim says.
With full protection by the armed police force, the construction of the cable car resumed on the morning of January 21, creating an inevitable confrontation between armed police and the Indigenous community.
The situation further escalated when only days later, on January 25 at 5:50 pm, around 90 armed police forces (APF) came up to Ballu Danda and suddenly attacked the activists who were about to have dinner, firing shots and tear gas. They ransacked houses, beat up activists, and chased them into the forest.
“Nepal police opened fire, leaving more than five shot and dozens injured.” Save Mukkumlung Struggle Committee’s chairperson Shree Lingkhim shares.
The attack sparked a nationwide boycott of Global IME Bank, culminating in a protest on 27 January aimed at closing all bank accounts. On 3 February, the Yakthung community announced an indefinite transport blockade across nine districts in Limbuwan (Limbu states): Taplejung, Panthar, Illam, Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang, Dhankuta, Terathum, and Sankhuwasabha.
As the government agreed to halt the construction of cable car infrastructure, treat the injured activists, and release all without charges, the blockade was paused with a detailed talk being held on 9 February. At present, the Yakthung community has expressed complete resistance as the supreme court has halted the project awaiting further review.
Besides, activists have launched a campaign to replant 20,000 saplings, symbolising their commitment to protecting the Mundhum of their ancestral lands. Mundhum, an ancient Kirati folk literature, highlights the spiritual and cultural significance of Mukkumlung in the Yakthung worldview and philosophy.
“They dream that future generations [of Limbu people] will not face the same discrimination that we have,” Rai says. However, as tensions escalate, the community fears that their efforts may not be enough to prevent the project’s completion.
The struggle for Mukkumlung is not just about preserving a sacred site but a fight for cultural survival and justice. As Shreelingkhim Limbu aptly states, “This is not just about a cable car; it’s about our existence and the legacy we leave for the future.
Sudipa Mahato is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.
