Kanchanpur authorities launch campaign to demolish 'Chhaupadi Goths' following tragic death

Dhangadhi: The District Administration Office, Kanchanpur has directed all nine municipalities in the district to launch a campaign to demolish Chhaupadi Goths—traditional menstrual huts—following the death of a woman due to a snakebite.

A letter issued on Monday by Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal urges local governments to take immediate action to dismantle these huts, citing the recent death of Kamala Damai of Krishnapur Municipality-1. Kamala was bitten by a snake while sleeping in a Chhaupadi Goth on Asad 10 and died during treatment at Seti Provincial Hospital on Asad 11.

Labeling the practice as a “traditional evil,” the administration emphasized the need for a special campaign to eradicate Chhaupadi. The letter calls on each municipality to make necessary decisions and initiate a coordinated effort to demolish the huts and eliminate the harmful custom.

Prior to the district-wide directive, Krishnapur Municipality had already instructed its nine wards to identify and destroy Chhaupadi Goths within 15 days. The municipality warned that failure to act would result in legal action and a fine of Rs 10,000.