Karnali Province emerged from the bedrock of a movement, yet the pursuit of prosperity remains a far cry

In the late hours of August 7, 2015, key political leaders came to a significant agreement regarding the country’s federal structure along with the demarcation of six provinces. The next day on August 8 the rallying cry for a united Midwest was raised in Birendranagar, the headquarters of the then Midwestern Development Zone.

People were furious and irked as major areas of Karnalai were included in Sudurpacschim Province during the demarcation. Despite senior leaders asking people not to protest, they did not listen. They wanted their own identity and under the banner of the United Midwest, they forced the state to set up seven provinces, instead of the previously decided six. That is how Karnali Province was born.