Pathibhara Cable Car Protest Escalates Ahead of Elections

27th January 2026, Kathmandu

The ongoing conflict surrounding the Pathibhara Cable Car project in Taplejung has reached a critical boiling point, evolving from a localized cultural dispute into a major political crisis that threatens the stability of the upcoming House of Representatives elections.

Pathibhara Cable Car Protest

As of late January 2026, a coalition of identity-based groups, civil society organizations, and political activists have escalated their resistance, warning that the democratic process in all 14 districts of the eastern region could be obstructed if construction is not halted immediately. This standoff highlights the deep-seated tension between state-led infrastructure development and the preservation of indigenous heritage in Nepal.

Historical and Cultural Roots of the Conflict

At the heart of the protest is Mukkumlung, the name used by the indigenous Limbu (Yakthung) community for the mountain widely known as Pathibhara. For the Kirat people, Mukkumlung is not merely a tourist destination or a religious site but a sacred “Mundhum” territory central to their spiritual and civilizational identity. Protesters argue that the installation of a 2.7-kilometer cable car from Kaflepati to the hilltop temple—led by the Pathibhara Devi Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd. (part of the IME Group)—will desecrate the spiritual integrity of the mountain, destroy native forests, and marginalize the indigenous population’s traditional rights over their ancestral lands.

Escalation of Protests: The Magh 18 Ultimatum

Following a brief lull in late 2025, the Pathibhara Cable Car Struggle Committee has announced a rigorous new protest schedule. Starting in early January 2026, momentum has shifted from peaceful sit-ins to more aggressive forms of civil disobedience. Key dates in the current protest timeline include:

Magh 14: Highway focused demonstrations across major transit points in the eastern region.

Magh 16 (Martyrs’ Day): A massive public rally and corner meeting in Phungling, the district headquarters of Taplejung.

Magh 18: The launch of “continuous protests,” including cultural resistance at the Mangdhan site and a permanent demonstration presence at the temple area.

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The movement has achieved a rare level of regional unity, drawing support from 14 identity-based organizations and 11 political groups across the Koshi Province. National figures, including prominent actors and constitutional experts, are scheduled to join a parallel solidarity protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu, bringing the local issue to the federal doorstep.

Threat to the March 5, 2026, Elections

The most alarming development is the explicit warning that the protests will disrupt the general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. Protesters have threatened to boycott the polls and physically obstruct election activities in 14 districts if their demands for a total project cancellation are not met. They argue that a state which ignores the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of its indigenous citizens loses the moral authority to conduct elections on their land.

This threat places the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs in a precarious position. Security forces have already been heavily deployed to the construction site following violent clashes in early 2025 that resulted in gunshot injuries to several protesters and injuries to over a dozen police personnel. The “militarization” of a sacred site, as described by human rights activists, has created an atmosphere of fear and distrust that could suppress voter turnout or lead to widespread unrest on polling day.

The Role of the Judiciary and International Watchdogs

The legal battle over Pathibhara has seen a complex series of turns. In mid-2025, the Supreme Court of Nepal discontinued an interim order that had previously halted construction, allowing the IME Group to resume work. This decision was met with outrage by the Mukkumlung Protection Committee, who claimed the environmental impact assessment was flawed and bypassed essential legal safeguards for forest conservation.

Interestingly, the conflict has now reached the international stage. In December 2025, the World Bank Group’s Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) formally registered a complaint filed by the Yakthung people. The complaint alleges that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) failed to follow its own performance standards on indigenous peoples while providing advisory support to the project. This international oversight has emboldened the protesters, who view it as a validation of their human rights claims against the Nepalese state and private developers.

Government Response and Stalled Dialogue

While the government has formed multiple negotiation teams led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the “No Cable Car Group” has remained skeptical. They have rejected talks with bureaucratic committees, demanding a ministerial-level dialogue team with the authority to revoke the project’s permit. Government spokespersons, including Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, have emphasized that the project is essential for regional tourism and accessibility for elderly and disabled pilgrims, but these arguments have failed to bridge the cultural divide.

As Magh 18 approaches, the eyes of the nation are on Taplejung. The outcome of this standoff will likely determine not only the fate of the cable car but also the political climate of eastern Nepal during the 2026 election cycle. Balancing the nation’s drive for modernization with the non-negotiable spiritual rights of its indigenous communities remains the ultimate test for Nepal’s young democracy.

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