A private firm has been found to have started commercial apple and potato farming over 735 ropanis of forest area that was recently turned into agricultural land. The project was started at the site located 2,850 metres above sea level after cutting down over 2,000 trees, it is learnt. The firm, Agro Manang Pvt Ltd had started commercial farming of hybrid apple and potatoes by tilling the land on either side of the Marshyangdi river in Bhartang, Pisang-1. The firm said it had acquired the land, which was registered under the joint name of seven VDCs in Upper Manang and later transferred to Manang Marshyangdi Club, on lease for a period of 27 years. While Manang is abuzz with discussions as to whether a professional football club can lease the land under its name to a private firm, Agro Manang’s representative Palden Thopang Gurung claimed that they had acquired the land following all the necessary legal procedures. “We have no idea as to how the land registered under the name of the VDCs was transferred to the professional football club and how it was given on lease,” said local Sangdo Lama while expressing his confusion.
