Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Vidya Bir Singh Kansakar, Nepal

The emerging sense growing regionalism in the Tarai resulted from the independence of India and aftermath the installation of democracy in Nepal in 1951 was, however, neutralized after the large scale migration of the hill population in the Tarai after the launching malaria eradication programme since 1956. However, the threat from the north with the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China with the control of Tibet by the Chinese government in 1950 was felt more by Indian rather than Nepal and this concern was raised by Sardar Vallavbhai Patel, the Home Minister of India in his letter to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (see Appendix I). The Indian leaders realisng this concern, compelled Prime Minister Matrika Prasad Koirala to allow establishment of the Indian military posts along the Nepal China boundary in 1954. Even after the removal of the Indian Military check posts in 1965, Nepalese government established Border District Administration Office in the four places: Humla, Mustang, Namche Bazar of Solukhumbu and Olangchung Gola of Taplejung in 1965, despite the fact that Nepal had entered into boundary treaty with China in 1961. In the meantime in 1959, witnessed the influx of the Tibetan refugees and the western countries that were against the Communist government in China got opportunity to make surveillances along the border by using International Red Cross in the pretext of helping the Tibetan refugees. The Tibetan refugees living along the border were not only supplied with the foods, clothing, medicines and other necessities, but also arms and ammunition, money and the lockets with the photo of the Dalai Lama. When Toni Hagen, the Swiss Geologist who worked in Nepal as geologist under the UNDP as well as with the Swiss Red Cross and contributed and credited with revealing Nepal as one of the important natural and cultural paradise to the world through his book with colourful and beautiful pictures of Nepal was found involved and engaged for the CIA in smuggling arms and ammunition and money to the Tibetan insurgents living in Nepal and fighting with the Chinese border patrols along the border, Nepal government declared him persona non grata and was expelled from Nepal. Moreover, due the emerging border disputes between India and China since 1954 and China's disapproval of the MacMahon line as the India Tibet boundary, the Indian government pressurized King Mahendra to provide the Kala Pani of Nepal for opening border post for the Indian army in 1962.

The neglect of the northern border areas and the people became clear when the Tibetan Khampa rebels who settled in Nepal as refugees freely launched insurgent activities across the border in the Chinese territory as well as harassed the local Nepalese citizens of those areas in 1974. The Khampas were settled in the high altitude Inner Himalayan valleys because they were the inhabitants of the high altitude areas of Tibet. The Nepalese government was not aware of the military build up and activities by the Khampa rebels in the northern Inner Himalayan region of Nepal and they were taken to South Korea for training by the United States aircrafts which could make easy landings in the plains of the Inner Himalayan valleys and also provided arms and ammunitions. The armed campaign carried out by the Nepalese army drove them from Mustang westward across the Nepal India border of the Mahakali River and killed the rebel leader Diwangdi. Those Khampa who gave up arms and want to lead a peaceful life were settled in the two-land resettlement project sites in Dhanewa of Nawalpasrasi district. The youths among the Khampas did not stay in the resettlement sites and as such almost all the Khampas resettled were the aged males and females and had to lead a very hard life and in the environment of hot humid Tarai which was culturally and economically quite deferent from that of the high altitude areas of Nepal and Tibet. However, this incident took place in the period from 1972 to 1976; the Remote Area Development Committee remained inactive.

The worsening economic condition of the people in the districts bordering China started after the signing of the Nepal China Boundary Treaty in 1961 and the Sino-Indian border conflicts in 1962. Regarding the delineation of Nepal China boundary before the signing of the treaty, the boundary survey was carried out by the survey teams of Nepal and China. For the Chinese team most of them were army men and were working in the high altitudes of Tibet, they were acclimatized and equipped with high altitude equipments and clothing along with the supplies of flooding. So it was not difficult for them to work in the high altitude border areas. On the other hand, the Nepalese teams consisted of surveyors working for cadastral survey of the agricultural land in the hills and the Tarai regions of the country, they were not acclimatize to work in the high altitudes and were poorly equipped with high altitude equipments and clothing as well as lack of proper supplies of foods, they could not join the Chinese teams in the high altitudes and had to depend on foods provided by the Chinese teams. The Nepalese survey teams as well as the local people of the Nepalese border territory could not go to the high altitude and there was no method of ascertain the traditional boundary between Nepal and China. Returning after the signing of the boundary treaty, King Mahendra stated in his address to the people that Nepal was able to get an excess of 300 sure kilometers from the Chinese government. In reality, Nepal lost its territories of highland pastures and got large tracts of rocky mountain territories. A few months after the signing of the boundary treaty, the ensuing armed border conflicts between India and China resulted in the complete closure of the Nepal China border.

The Nepalese people living in the bordering districts were subsisting on agriculture, cattle rearing (yak, sheep and goat which proved meat, milk, wool and hides as well as worked as beast of burden) and trade were severely affected resulting in the deteriorating living and economic conditions of the people of the border districts. As the Chinese government privatized the agriculture livestock farming and levied tax, the Nepalese border people could not graze their livestock in the pastureland in the Chinese territories, because the private owner started charging exorbitantly high price for grazing cattle.In the mean time, after the opening of the Araniko Highway, all the trade between the Tibetan Autonomous region of China and Nepal was channeled though this road and led to the drastic decline in tradition border trade along Nepal China border which maintained comparatively balanced trade between Nepal and the Tibetan Autonomous region of China. Now Nepal has a serious unbalanced trade favoring China several times. In the paragraph V:3 of the Agreement to Maintain Friendly Relation between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Nepal and on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet Region of China and Nepal signed on September 20, 1956 and effective from January 17, 1958 stated " Inhabitants of the border districts of the two countries who cross the border to carry on petty trade, to visit friends or relatives, or for seasonal changes of residence, may do so as they have customarily done hereafter and need not hold passports, visas or other documents of certification( Foreign Language Press 1960;5). Later on In order to facilitate the people living on the both sides of the Nepal China border to develop the traditional and customary relations of socio-cultural interaction and trade, agreement was reached to allow the people living along the 30 kilometres on either sides to make freedom of movement without visa but only with identity document issued by the local administrations of both sides. This provision benefited the Tibetan people because most of the major settlements of the bordering districts of Nepal were located within prescribed limit, while most of the major settlements in the Chinese territories were located several kilometers beyond the prescribed limit and did not benefit the Nepalese living in the border area to carry out trading activities in Tibet (see appendix II). This provision, however, benefited the Nepalese living in Barhabise Bazar of Sindhupalchok along the Araniko Highway. The need of identifying the exact market locations to facilitate the border people carry out trading was realized but never materialized. Recently the Chinese government has agreed to allow the Nepalese to move into Tibet for socio-cultural interaction and trade. However, unless the district headquarters of the bordering districts are not linked by road to the roads on the Chinese side which China has constructed in many places, Nepalese in the bordering and other parts of the country cannot benefit from this new arrangement. Moreover, as the Chinese government has developed network of roads in Tibet connecting cities, towns, market centres and villages, the supplies of essentially goods and delivery of services in the different part and the marketing of the local goods and services have also improved considerably. The traditional goods exported from Nepal have no demand at all and rather they are coming from Nepal to Tibet. The government has not indicated any concern towards enhancing export from Nepal to Nepal and the Trade Promotion Centre has not made any study in Tibet regarding the goods that can be exported from Nepal. Thus the opportunities of the people of the remote areas regarding the trade have become very bleak.

Prospect of Agri tourism in Chitwan

By Shree Kumar Maharjan , Post Graduate Student, Ag. Conservation/Ecology, Nepal

Nepal, with its varied landscape, multiethnic composition and culture, variety of fauna and flora, high rugged Himalayan Mountains and numerous lakes and rivers, has attracted travelers since the inception of tourism in 1950. Nepal's combination of world-class cultural and natural attractions is well suited for international tourism including the four World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu valley, Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha, Royal Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. It has well­-established nature and adventure products that include wildlife viewing, trekking, mountaineering and rafting, all of high international standards. Current domestic visitor patterns still remain closely connected with religious and family activities.

HMG recognizes tourism as a priority sector. The tourism sector is considered as a key to strengthening the national economy, improving living standards and reducing poverty as well as help preserve cultural traditions and historic monuments. It is established as a major contributor to Nepal's economy. Gross foreign exchange earnings went up to 80 percent to US$ 192.8 million in 2003 as compared to US$ 106.8 million in 2002.

Over 80% of the total area in Nepal is covered with villages and majority of rural populace are engaged in agriculture for the sustenance of their livelihood. Due to high illiteracy cases and fewer opportunities for generating income, many are doomed to lead a low standard and unhealthy life style. And this is exactly where rural tourism can step in as it holds an immense potential of raising the socioeconomic standards of indigenous people through development of tourism. It was only in 8"' five-year national plan when rural tourism was coined to be a major tool in combating poverty in rural areas.

Because of poverty of the farmers and geographical impasse, the traditional agricultural practices have undergone little changes. As agriculture has been a key sector in Nepalese economy, this sector has to be developed and commercialized to raise the living standard of rural people by providing employment opportunities. Rural tourism is the concept of diverting the tourists to those rural areas, where there is a range of agricultural activities, services and amenities provided by farmers and rural people that can attract internal as well as international tourists in order to generate extra income for their business. The living standard of the farmers and rural poor can be raised by identifying high value-low volume crops, which have comparative advantages and by optimally utilizing the available resources for sustainable development.

In the 10"' plan the government has extended its full support and commitment to capitalizing tourism as the vehicle for poverty alleviation. Significant steps have been taken towards identifying and promoting tourism potentials in rural areas over the years by promoting agriculture. Potential village for tourism industry should be promoted to enhance living standard of people. Agri-tourism is the specific rural tourism focusing on agricultural diversity, variety of produces like mushroom, honey­-production / bee-keeping, different organic farming practices for vegetables cultivation/production, fishing, hunting, medicinal plant cultivation, different agricultural related festivals and functions attract both internal and international tourists. It is a promising industry that helps farmers and other tourism sectors as an alternate income generating and service-providing sector at the time of unemployment throughout the country. Tourism provides direct and indirect employment for over 250,000 people and tourism singly contributes 2 percent of GDP.

Chitwan, the district of Central Development region, situated southwest from Kathmandu at an elevation between 141m to 1945m. It occupies 1.52% of the total area of the country and is in the Terai region of the country. Out of total tourists' arrival, 33 % of tourists come to Royal Chitwan National Park as a major destination situated only 7 km away from Chepang locality. The land use pattern of the district like coniferous forests, hardwood forests (broadleaf forests), protected areas, shrubs and grasslands are found in the district. Cultural, ecological and social diversity of the district are unique features directly related with agricultural activities. According to the ancient scriptures, the indigenous peoples like Tharu, Kumal and Darai successfully adapted with the adverse climatic conditions through their indigenous knowledge. Chitwan, having traditional and indigenous communities with their specific farming techniques and commercial scale poultry farming could be a new site for Agri-tourism industry. At present there are four types of tourism activities in Chitwan: they are nature and adventure, history, religious tolerance, and culture & social structure.

Chitwan district ranks first as a model district in beekeeping, poultry farming, cattle rearing fruit farming etc. Modern bee keeping of melifera started a decade ago in the district, making it a model district in its commercial farming throughout the nation. One fourth of the total honey production of the country is produced in Chitwan. Out of the national production, 30% poultry feeds, 45% boilers, 85 % layers, 60 % poultry eggs and 20% poultry flesh are produced in Chitwan.

Horticultural crops having aesthetic values like red pink flowers of pomegranates, flower clusters of ornamental cherries, deep red fruits of crab apple are admired by most people passing through. One can enjoy the beauty of peach blossoms during early spring. Coconut, date mango-steen and kiwifruits provide an excellent foliage and good for walkways. Other different ornamental plants equally attract the tourist eyes. These fruits and vegetables can be promoted for Agri-tourism.

Most of citizens produce cereals, vegetables, fishes, honey, ghee, etc., and get more benefits from Agri-tourism. There are two kinds of tourists in Nepal: farmer tourists, mostly internal tourists, who come to observe new cultivation practices different from their own practices and another tourists that need fresh vegetables, fruits, fishes honey etc. Artificially propagated horticultural plants can be very important tourist products for domestic and foreign tourists to some extent. Artificially propagated plants through cutting, layering (air layering, tip layering), grafting (splice grafting, tongue grafting, side grafting, bridge grafting inarching) and budding can attract viewers eye. Besides that training and pruning including twisting, bending, fastening, bonsai making, topiary etc., in horticulture also attract them.

It is important to promote and develop agriculture closely with tourism. Tourism sector use nation's internal agricultural production. Tourism plays an important role in utilization of vegetables, cereals, poultry products, and nurseries in Chitwan. There is a direct and indirect impact of tourism on agriculture. It is important to emphasize on tourism for better marketing promotion of agricultural production. Tourists can also take firsthand experience in rice field at the time of transplanting.

To get there, Chitwan has flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur and Meghauli airport. Different vehicles like rickshaws, tempos, microbuses, buses, rental cars, etc., are available from all cities across the country. Hotels, lodges, guesthouses, restaurants of different standards are available in every corner of the district. Besides, home stays are available in most of the villages even in different ethnic groups like Tharu. Chepang, Newars etc.

Tourism attractions and activities includes honey bee farms, different fruit cultivation, organic vegetable fanning, traditional agricultural practices, fishing and hunting, elephant riding, bird watching, different nurseries, herbal farms, national park, ploughing with pair of bullock, Ropai jatra etc., different Hut bazaars, expos like poultry exhibition, and other festivals.

Diverse food items including organic foods, local alcoholic wines and juices, traditional foods of different ethnic groups like Chichar; Ghongi, Bat, Momo, etc., and food festivals.

At present. tourism industry is seeking new tourism product in order to make the tourism industry for all seasons. It is a great challenge to the tourism-related institutions as well. For this, Agri-tourism can be the one of the new products in the country's tourism product list to draw a huge mass of international as well as domestic tourists.

Text courtesy: The NTTR March 20-26, 2006-ed.

Will the Alliance Complete the Unfinished Popular Movement!

Dr. Prem Sharma, T. U, Nepal

In the annals of the evolution of Nepali politick (to engage in political discussion and activity), popular movements have been incomplete since 1950 devoid of the popular constitution enacted by the constituent assembly. The 1950s movement was resolved by tripartite agreement (India, Rana and King with Nepali Congress) at Delhi; the upsurges of 1960s, and 80s were settled by general elections and a referendum; likewise the movement for restoration of multiparty democracy 1990 (MRD) was determined by the dissolution of party-less Panchayat system and bi-party agreement- the monarchy and the MRD forces (NC and ULF).

Aftermath the movements people were never inquired what they were to opined while enacting the constitution, the state law. As a student of political analyst, the scribe is a bit skeptic about the materialization of the Alliance and its avowed common stance among the agitation inmates. It resembles as if a fiasco, since its compounds are of different nature, character, ideology and principles which rarely dissimilate to form and frame an ultimate statue. The people's war group (insurgence) has achieved a great victory over the parliamentary parties since they have fulfilled (agreed 12-point) the bottom line demand of the Maoist- the election of constituent assembly. Technically x partner has 87.5% victory over the demands whereas the rest 7Ps have just 12.5%. Thus it looks as if a pseudo alliance. For days ahead the rebels have overhand which is beyond an account. Then the rest demands shall follow such as uproot of monarchic autocracy. Observing the alliances of the past, these parties, for instance, the alliance of five parties (post October 4,2002) and splint of UML to join the Deuba government, there are rooms for aligning few parties with ideological fellow beings i.e. either democratic or left front to save their ideological geneses, if any thing left. Ideologically rather by interests, political parties are oriented into two camps i.e. constitutional monarchy and republican. The institution of monarchy and party-less characters of the past regime naturally react and response avoid in the party politics. It has a long legacy. Therefore, Nepalese political system has only two options- either the presence of a modest constitutional monarchy in the parliament or a republican set-up multiparty system. The former is easy going where as the latter takes a strange path albeit the hindmost governance. Autocracy, party dictatorism and tyranny of any undemocratic institution in the mane of democracy is impossible as we are fully aware with it over the last decade. The wave of global eco-politico impact and the two different ideological governance systems of its immediate neighbors too determine the nature of (Nepalese) political system. Nepal cannot exist beyond it. Either she should have an assertive intermediary political system, which some one talks much about inclusive, proportional, and indigenous/ethnic federalist or regionalism. Even they may be some trials talks for talk in a small country like ours. Empirically observing the past phenomena, Nepal can opt one of the above two models.

The post 4 October 2002 scenario of triangular political forces is/was typical pseudo camps (the monarchy, pro parliament parties and Maoist insurgent) which were unnatural and impossible in any political system. Because the power rivalries in a political system are either political party/ies in the government incumbent or in the opposition or systemic forces and extra systemic forces i.e. dissident groups. As a matter of facts, the present political imbroglio of Nepal is an outcome of mindless heads of statecraft-ship (statesmen) who led and headed the past couple of decades governance. Now it has been too difficult for them to break the ice. Now they are in a mess.

The alliance does nothing, sheer bargain with the king and patting the Maoist on the tail. Both of them (latter ones) have clear road maps- despotic or destitute reign. It is an irony; the alliance lacks what next following the undo of post February1, 2005. A commoner has lot of queries in the street/villa what the next dawn brings. Will the past legacy be followed? What are the corrections or departures been made? Whom (party) to vote for what distinct governing agenda? When will a parent be able to assure his child that the "full (may not be fool) democracy" dawns bringing- peace and security, rule of law, justice, equity and egalitarian society, anticorruption and transparent regime, inclusive and sovereign representative government responsible and accountable to their sovereign voters? The youth is keen to observe good governance through democracy, so they are pelting stones at the street. What is really a democracy that has not been dawned yet at the court of the weaker section of the people? Therefore, will the alliance undergo to meet these grievances collectively as common stance or have they their own? The post undo agenda must be made public to assure the beguiled people. O.K. the monarch will handover the power to the popular representatives after the elections within a couple of years or the agitation pro-parliamentary forces will undo the February takeover, then what are the remedy measures the responsible political parties opt against poor performance or mal performance of multiparty activists? Let us wait and see what happens this week.

What is Nepal Doing in Social Supply?

Prof. Guna Nidhi Sharma, Economics Department, T. U. Nepal

Nepalese society is getting continuously transformed into a modern consumer society changing the behavior of the system of consumption with effect on total supply comprising domestic production plus imports. Data (see Ministry of Finance, 2004/2005) reveal that if domestic value added was Rs.16083crore in 1989/90, it reached to Rs.29418crore in 2004/5; both at 1994/95 prices. The value added at current price was recorded at Rs.9775crores in 1998/90 and Rs.48773crores in 2004/05. Likewise, while import in 1989/90 was Rs.1833crores, the figure jumped to Rs.8155crores in 2004/05; almost more than four fold increase within 5 years. The figures of total consumption at current price stood at Rs.9527crore and Rs.46613crores, respectively, for 1989/90 and 2004/05. Of the total consumption private consumption accounted Rs.8631crores and Rs.41086crores for 1989/90 and 2004/05, respectively; almost five fold increase. As there was a phenomenal increase both of the private consumption and imports, the size of government consumption too must increase in a bid to provide more of support services by way of undertaking, administration and management of government projects.

The public actions in the social supply nets in Nepal, thus, cover: (a) the government strategies enhancing domestic production found in policies, programs and planning relating to all the activities in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, and (b) the direct delivery programs including the public distribution system (PDS) engaged in the supply of selective essential goods and services at official prices at both the accessible and remote areas. These essential supplies under PDS cover the highly sensitive goods like petroleum products, salt, grains, sugar, electricity, etc. Some other goods in the PDS which need to be rationed in their supply as timber, dairy products, etc, are also distributed through government depots. In services, most of the social sectors supply items as education, health, family planning, etc, and infrastructural services as telecommunication, transportation, etc, are taken care of by the state machinery, for both construction and management. Besides, financial services too are kept under government regulation. The supply of these goods and services are made at subsidized and officially approved prices within the framework of public goods. Even the supplies of private goods are under government observation, and the private suppliers must be publicly responsible for any anomalies in the market practice.

Besides, Nepal as a global partner (as it is the member of almost all of the multilateral and regional institutions and is the signatory of world and regional conventions governing the human rights, social securities, poverty alleviation, trade and development and environment) has been shaping its style of governance manifested into the changes in her perceptions, institutions, legal framework, social responsibility and development models [see Sharma, 2001; Shrestha, 1997; Sharma and Kshetry, 19999; and Sharma,1998(a)].

However, data demonstrate that the country is internally facing the deepening crisis and the main cause is the growing urban/ rural, regional, communal, gender and cultural inequalities as an effect of the protection of the traditional property rights provided by the feudal order [see Sharma, 2004 (b), Sharma, 2004(c) and Shrestha, 1997] and the uneven official development practices working against inclusive and participatory development. The inequality is reflected even in consumption pattern (see World Bank, 2006) that consumption inequality rose from 0.34 to 0.39 between 1995/96 and 2004/5.

What does it indicate is a section of the region, community and group in Nepal is getting rich, and the poor are getting day by day children and it is for the marginalization of poor by the market as well as the permanent state policies including the laws and by laws favoring already affluent. The supply system in the country, therefore, is set accordingly focusing on imports, revenue, greater profit and urban needs, without long term consideration of investment focused on productivity, regional balance, social justice, employment and participation. The failure of the economy to equally motivate the people and resource for economic participation is highlighted by Sharma:

"The economy fails to provide a framework that inspires a common Nepali to effectively participate in the economic decision-making process relating to consumption, production, exchange and incoming sharing" (Sharma, 2004(a), P.5).

Sharma more explicitly upholds:

"…….Anti-poor biased distribution of productive assets like land, ownership of enterprises, lending and investment of financial institutions, employment and self-employment opportunities, urban centric development activities without proper distribution across regions, etc, on the one hand, and the flat rate of land tax, rebates to bigger investment, collateral based credit system absence of protection to cottage and small industries employing indigenous labor, etc, on the other hand, are the defectives traditions ……Similarly, urban biased policies on energy, transportation and communication, health and education, banking, finance insurance and industries have left the resource on country side unused, inefficiently used and nonmonetised……The situation is further aggravated by the corruption at the government whose policies have been too unrealistic in view of the country's reality, as its favor is to ones who have inherited huge property"[Sharma, 2000(a), pp.20-21].

Obviously, the supply side of the internal economic structure of the country has been found very week and hence the supply elasticity is too low to attain self-reliance. Even the core industries are either working mostly below capacity [Sharma, 2002 and Sharma, 2004(c)], or are closed down day by day. This has increased social insecurity at home and dependence abroad resulting in more of conflicts and the misuse of foreign exchange and also the rise of external policy pressure. Macroeconomic policy, therefore, is dominant over microeconomic policy whose concern is project efficiency in terms of a greater gap between social benefits and costs with positive impact on local initiatives for strengthening supply system.

On the other hand, the direct government action to provide needy the relief (economic security) through public distribution system and market streamlining too seems totally mishandled by the worst governance which instead of becoming publicly responsible is loyal to central authority. The high level Commission on Streamlining Supply System in Nepal [(see Sharma Commission's Report on Strengthening Supply System submitted to HMG in 2052, BS (1995)] in view of the supply related problems concludes:

The supply of essentials must be regular, dependable and accessible to commons.

There must be a permanent mechanism to monitor the market for essentials.

The PDS must work in favor of households below poverty line.

There must be an effective arrangement for discouraging market anomalies

There must be a legal basis for making market disciplined and publicly responsible.

Reform measures for public sector supply units must make the corporations an asset rather than the liability.

The open border must be regulated in order to insulate the supply system and prices from external negative shocks.

Unfortunately, these guidelines of the Commission were ignored in an attempt to keep the interest of Bretton Wood package for liberalization and globalization which pushed the active role of state under the shadow of market friendly as against human friendly approach to economic development.

Youths & Leisure activities

By Rajendra Mulmi, President, Youth Initiative and AYON (Association of Youth Organization in Nepal

Young people constitute nearly one-third of Nepal's population. They are both a major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic development and technological innovation. Youths are a huge potential to any nation. However if this potential is not given enough attention and not catered well, it can be a threat to the whole society. The entire major positive changes; political, social, economic are result of the power and contribution of young people. At the same time, it seems that it is the young hands that are behind many of the destructions that are taking place in the world today.

Among various other needs and issues of young people, leisure-time management is one huge area. In a country like Nepal, thousands of young people are staying idle. The unemployment rate is in its peak. Young people have the power, the potential, the enthusiasm and the energy and at the same time they have the leisure time. If this time is managed well and spend into developing young people's physical, emotional, social and intellectual capabilities it will contribute towards the their overall development hence encouraging them to play a crucial role in nation building as the agents of positive change. If this time is not managed well, then these young people who are very vulnerable; undergoes substance abuses, delinquencies and deviant behaviors.

How do you spend your free time your leisure time determines who you are and where you will reach in the future? Many developed countries have appropriate policies; programs and infrastructure to support their young people utilize their leisure time. They have various opportunities for engagements. In countries like Nepal, where the average people are still struggling for their two meals, making enough policy and infrastructural investment in leisure time activities is a huge challenge. However, it is seen that young people in urban areas use most of their leisure time hanging out with friends, going to restaurants, playing various sports, watching television, browsing internet, doing music, etc. Young people in rural areas use their leisure time chatting with friends, going around, playing sports, etc. In the recent years, there have been more opportunities that are available for young people in urban areas, however these are expensive and have been able to deliver services to only those who can afford it. In rural areas, the opportunities are very limited and there are not many ways where young people can spend their leisure time for their own development or making a constructive contribution.

The World Program of Action for Youth, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1995, recognizes Leisure-time activities as one of the 10 priority areas of action for youth development. The importance of leisure-time activities in the psychological, cognitive and physical development of young people is recognized in all societies. Leisure-time activities include games, sports, cultural events, and entertainment and community services. Appropriate leisure programs for youth are elements of any measure aimed at fighting social ills such as drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and other deviant behavior. While leisure programs can contribute greatly to the development of the physical, intellectual and emotional potential of young people, they should be designed with due care and concern so that they are not used as a means for excluding youth from participating in other aspects of social life or for indoctrinating them. Leisure-time activity programs should be made freely available to young people.

In Nepal too, the governments should prioritize leisure time activities as one of the areas for action for young people's overall development. The ways in which the challenges and potentials of young people are addressed by policy will influence current social and economic conditions and the well being and livelihood of future generations. Governments, in planning, designing and implementing youth policies and programs, should recognize the importance of leisure-time activities and appropriate funding should be allocated for this. Public libraries, cultural centers and other cultural facilities in rural and urban areas should be developed. Young people's participation in tourism, international cultural events, sports and all other activities of special interest to youth should be encouraged. Leisure-time activities should be recognized and integrated as elements of educational programs.

Nepal has such a huge potential. Its amazing natural beauties, rich cultural diversity, diverse topography, tourism potential, etc offers various opportunities for young people for leisure-time activities. However this needs to be packaged well. This needs to be reflected in the policies and implemented in practice.

(Text courtesy: The NTTR-Ed)