Environmental governance long way off from realisation

By Kiran Chapagain

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:Despite countless efforts and legal provisions, Nepal is yet to make headway in the direction towards implementing Environmental Governance (EG), experts here say.

"We have constitutional, legal provisions, plans and policies for EG in the country, but still little has been done in this regard," says Hari Prasad, an EG expert. EG is a decentralised and participatory system of managing natural resources in a sustainable way empowered with decision-making over natural resources.

Nepal began its journey to EG as early as the Fifth Plan (1975-1980), recognising the policy of watershed management and land use control at the central level. Since then, it has signed more than 16 international treaties and conventions, including Rio and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Besides, it has formulated legislation, policies on environment and has prepared a number of action plans to ensure EG in the country. But the efforts are far from producing the desired results.

Nepal has sufficient constitutional and legal provisions, policies and regulations to ensure development initiatives in sustainable and environment-friendly ways. Besides, it has institutions both at the central level (ministries, departments, etc) and Village Development Committees and District Development Committees at the local level, to translate the concept of EG into action. But, the results on the EG front are far from satisfaction, EG experts worry.

Other experts of sustainable development and environment lawyers, looking for unsatisfactory EG in the country, affix the blame on poor implementation of laws, conventions, policies and regulations relating to environment.

"We lack commitment to translate the environmental laws, policies and obligations of conventions," says Dina Mani Pokhrel, an environmental lawyer.

EG experts put the blame for poor EG to weak co-ordination among the ongoing efforts to manage environment on the part of the government. "The efforts are not being carried out in an organised manner," adds Hari Prasad. He underlines the need for immediate and organised initiatives to achieve EG in the country.

His comments bring forth non-coordination among the government ministries and agencies. For instance, the Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention and Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management both work to mitigate water-induced disasters in the country, but they lack coordination, according to experts.

Another instance of this can be seen between the Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE) and other ministries and government agencies, experts have been complaining time and again.

An example is the project of Milke-Jaljale rhododendron forest, prepared nearly four years back, which is gathering dust due to lack of coordination between the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

Contradictory laws and regulations relating to environment management have equally hindered the process of EG in the country, environment lawyers say. They are worried over non-implementation of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

"The existing environment laws have contradictory and overlapping provisions, which have hindered the process of EG", adds Dina Mani Pokhrel, an environment advocate.

According to Forest Users Groups, for instance, the acts relating to forest management contradicts with the Local Self-Governance Act, as far as forest management is concerned. Besides, they lack clarity, Pokhrel adds, suggesting amendment in the existing environmental laws and regulations, if EG is to push forward in the country.

Similarly, according to a recent survey done by EG expert Hari Prasad, there are contradictions in approaches and methods being used by different agencies in achieving their EG goals. However, the survey does not specify the contradictions.

Experts suggest that local bodies be encouraged to formulate EG policy at the local level, in order to plug the gap between the central and local level and to speed roll the EG process in the country.

Meanwhile, hearing this call of the experts, Sustainable Community Development Programme (Nepal’s Capacity 21), a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supported programme, has initiated to prepare a manual to help local bodies take development initiatives in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner.

UNDP is working in its own small way to ensure EG. According to Vijaya Prasad Singh, senior programme officer at the environment unit at the UNDP, the office is carrying out pilot projects like Sustainable Community Development Programme (SCDP). "This has contributed greatly to mainstreaming environment issues at the local level and national agenda," Singh adds.

According to Hum Bahadur Gurung, National Programme Manager of SCDP, the manual will help local authorities in identifying their natural resources and assist them in assessing their development activities in relation to environmental quality.

"The manual will facilitate integration of environment components in the planning and implementation process of local authorities. It will also increase accessibility to environment-friendly technology, institutional methods/mechanisms, financial resources, appropriate human resources and environment-friendly markets", says Prakash Kant Silwal, noted expert in the field of sustainable development.

Interaction on people, poverty and possibilities held

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:More than 30,000 local and international non-governmental organisations are in operation in different parts of the country with various poverty alleviation programmes. Various women-oriented programmes on reproductive health and literacy, vital elements, that several NGOs’ are involved with, reads the progress report of 2001 produced by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.

So where did we go wrong? Questioned Dilliram Dahal, sociologist and professor of Tribhuvan University at an interaction programme on "People, Poverty and Possibilities" based on the theme of State of World Population, Environment and Development (IPED) in collaboration with UNFPA country office.

"If you look into the women’s programmes initiated at different levels, the situation of the women have not improved," said Dahal. His personal opinion is that proper programmes focussed on the target population is still a major problem, which he believes has given rise to poverty.

"In the past 50 years, both the population as well as poverty has simultaneously increased, so what are the missing links?" He demonstrated his beliefs with the help of data from various reports.

Vidhan Acharya, president, Institute for Population, Environment and Development gave insights on the report produced on "State of World Population" by UNFPA. He said that poverty alleviation pre-requisites are ‘education for all and women empowerment’.

Speaking on the ocassion, Dr. Mohan Man Sainju, former vice-chairman of National Planning Commission said that for sustainable and systematic development, population should be the highlight. Development should be seen in a holistic manner and with an integrated approach. "The challenge lies in development, which is not effective in the rural areas as well as sectors like indegenious groups and women to be specific," he adds.

Dr. Yuvaraj Khatiwada, member of National Planning Commission as well as Dr. Harnando Agudelo, Country Representative, UNFPA also spoke on the the ocassion.

Kantipur Publications, TU sign MoU

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:Chairman Hem Raj Gyawali, on behalf of Kantipur Publications and Navin Prakash Jung Shah, Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuwan University, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the University’s office, to enhance co-operation between the two institutions, with a view to further enhancing journalism in Nepal.

Primarily, the MoU states that Kantipur Publications would award the highest achievers of the Intermediate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism, with the Kantipur Journalism Award. The TU,however, would forward the names of the highest achievers to Kantipur Publications. The company has been presenting the Journalism Awards to successful TU achievers, during its anniversary function, every year.

The MoU also states that the Publications would provide internship training at The Kathmandu Post and Kantipur, to at least four journalism students from TU.

It was also agreed that seminars and interactions between the two institutions would be conducted. The MoU also mentions that notices and advertisements related to TU would be published at subsidised rates in the publications of the company.

Gyawali, speaking on the occasion, assured the co-operation of Kantipur Publications with any problem that TU faced, concluding by saying, "The Tribhuvan University should not be an institution producing unproductive manpower".

Shah said that he was grateful to have an agreement with such a well-esteemed publication. "A publication like Kantipur has a great role in disseminating information across the country," Shah said.

Sub-health posts to local bodies

Post Report

BHAKTAPUR, Dec 12:Nine sub-health posts of Bhaktapur district were handed over to local bodies by the District Development Committee of Bhaktapur and the District Public Health Office of Bhaktapur here today.

Dr Laxmi Raj Pathak, Director General of the Health Service Department, who was the chief guest of the programme said, "The target group of this project is the people who cannot afford expensive medication, so the local bodies should now provide fair service to the concerned people".

The heath posts were jointly handed over by Dr Pathak and Mahesh Prasad Dahal to the presidents of Sub-health Posts Administration and Management Committee of Katunje, Jhoukhel, Duwakot, Chhaling, Sudal, Sipadole, Chitapole, Balkot, and Sirutar.

"The burden of managing a health post is a responsible one and the government has already provided a clear policy in this regard and it will continue to give the required direction and assistance to the handed over health posts", Pathak said.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, Ram Prasad Khatiwada said, "handing over of the health posts to the local bodies is indeed one of the best moves at the time when all the people are complaining about the service provided by the government-run health posts".

He said these local bodies should now work towards creating awareness in the field of health and health-related subjects and should provide the service in the appropriate way.

Gangadutta Awasthi, Joint-Secretary of Local Development Ministry also spoke on the occasion and remarked the government has handed over the health posts to the local bodies because of effective public participation in the administration sector.

He further said it was their responsibility to govern all the works and the concerned department would always co-operate with the health posts.

UML activists donate blood

KATHMANDU, Dec 12 (PR) - The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist and Leninist) which is to hold a Kathmandu district level mass gathering in the capital on Sunday, organised a blood-donation programme here today.

155 UML members including Keshav Badal, UML leader, donated blood on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, K P Oli, said that the party was set to bring about a storm of protest against the royal take over. "The party is going to raise its strong voice on Sunday," Oli said.

Meanwhile, CPN-Unity Centre (Masal) today held a meeting of the party’s ad hoc committee.

The party would be working to bring about the slogan of Constituent Assembly, a press statement issued by the party said.

The meeting has passed slogans like, "Let’s unite against reactionaries", "Withdraw the royal proclamation" and so on.

Exemplary donation to Maiti Nepal

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:Director general of Hotel Soltee, Prabhakar Shumsher Rana has set an inspiring example in his daughter’s marriage ceremony by urging his guests to offer donations to the Maiti Nepal , an NGO working for the rehabilitation of trafficked women instead of bringing her gifts, states a Maiti Nepal press release issued here today.

Rana had made this request in the invitation to his guests. Rs 5,36,000 were collected in which 150 guests made their contributions at the marriage party of the renowned hotel entrepreneur’s daughter Maya Rana .

Maiti Nepal had placed a box at the main hall of the Soltee Hotel to collect the donations. The donation will be used for rehabilitating Nepalese women and children at risk, according to general secretary of the Maiti Nepal, Biswaram Khadka. Meanwhile, Maiti Nepal has expressed gratitude to director general Rana and best wishes for the happy wedding of his daughter.

Land transactions in Dhobikhola area suspended

By Bikash Sangraula

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:The Kathmandu municipality has decided to stop transactions on land falling within 60 metres on each side of Dhobikhola for another ninety days, after the six month stoppage period expires in a few days.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Mapping Programme (KVMP), this was deemed necessary by a meeting held on Wednesday for additional study and investigation in the areas.

The extremely ambitious Corridor Project along Dhobikhola, a tributary of the Bagmati river that snakes along a 4.8 kilometre cleave, stretching from Anamnagar to Dhumbarahi in Kathmandu, aims to build a link-way right through the heart of the city and also to undertake land development activities on its sidelines.

The project is being conducted under the collaborative efforts of the Kathmandu Municipality and the European Union.

"The river has been encroached upon by local residents to the extent that in some places, there are dangerous bottlenecks that could crumble down in case the water levels go marginally above safe limits," says Devendra Dongol, national sub-director of KVMP.

"We have proposed to expand the river and its corridor to a total width of 37.5 metres all along, 13.5 metres for the river proper, and 12 metres each on both sides of the river for the highway," Dongol told The Kathmandu Post.

Presently, the width of the river throughout ranges between 6 to 12 metres, thus demanding a clearance of an additional 31.5 metres on its banks. Thousands of houses will have to be pulled down for the purpose.

Shambhu Acharya, representative of the consumers’ committee of ward No 4 told The Kathmandu Post that the ward was not informed about the most recent meeting. "We have reservations. We don’t agree with KVMP’s idea of unilateral financial commitment from local residents to the land development chapter of the project. We weren’t invited in the most recent meeting," discloses Acharya.

According to Acharya, KVMP has proposed that the local residents will be the sole bearers of the cost incurred in the land development programme. "Our per capita income is $ 230. How can we finance a project of such a scale?" he questioned.

According to Acharya, consumers are expected to let go of as much as half of their land without compensation, or, pay the equivalent sum of money for the land development programme in return to the benefit they will be accquiring. KVMP officials argue that the programme will increase the market value of the land by many times, and thus the consumers solely have to contribute for the development.

Earlier this year, more than 50 percent of the consumers of ward No 4 submitted a request at KVMP to cancel the project. "We are not against development. We know that it will benefit us too. But the government will benefit more in the form of a geometric rise in land and property taxes. They should also contribute financially," said Acharya.

Ratna Joshi, former chief of ward 4, feels flummoxed by KVMP. "They asked for the names of our streets and then, without further co-operation, brought out a flawed set of names. They have not included the ward number in the newly distributed addresses, which makes it difficult to identify locations," said Joshi.

However, Joshi is positive that the corridor project is beneficial to the locals as well as the government. Former town committee member of the ward, Shiva Kumari Khanal, is sceptical about the outcomes of the project. She claims that a majority shares her misgivings. "The locals have expressed widespread discontentment. We even sent delegations to the municipality to protest," says Khanal.

New Road street festival in the offing

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, chairman of the Main Citizen Birthday Celebration Committee formed to observe the 32nd birthday of HRH Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, announced a three-day New Road Street Festival programme at a press meet here today.

The New Road sub-committee of the celebration committee and the Dharmapath Youth Club will jointly organise the street festival from Dec 30, 2002 to Jan 3, 2003 at Basantapur. "The main purpose of the festival is to promote the tourism industry," said Shrestha.

The three-day programme will have music and dance performances, exhibitions of traditional musical instruments, cultural attires of Newar, Tamang, Sherpa and Gurung including 100 business stalls.

"Showering of flowers and sweets by a helicopter immediately after the inauguration by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, will be an attraction of the festival," said Krishna Prasad Shahi. Likewise, according to Shahi, demonstration of the expedition to rescue the body of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to scale Everest summit, would be shown by the person involved in the rescue operation. He will also narrate the real story of the incident. Pasang died while she was descending from the summit.

Shrestha observed the preparation for the birthday celebration of Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev which is underway across the country. The main celebration committee has altogether five hundred 51 members including 35 executive members and 15 advisors. It also has 26 sub-committees representing different communities of the society.

He expressed satisfaction at the club’s initiatives since these types of programmes could help revive business and tourism activities.

Fire victims to submit petition to king

Post Report

TEHRATHUM, Dec 12:The fire victims of Myanglung bazaar on Thursday decided to submit a petition to king for the reconstruction the district headquarters ravaged by a blazing fire on Sunday.

A meeting of the fire victims also formed a "Fire Victim Civil Committee" to push for reconstruction works. The committee is all set to submit the petition to king. The committee also rapped the government for its lukewarm response over the plight of the victims.

Although the fire was brought under control within 24 hours, life in the district headquarters has not returned to normalcy and the victims are seen rummaging through the rubbles with bleak hopes of recovering their lost valuables.

Locals said some of the families have already left the place after they thought about their survival. The relief materials coming to the district are insufficient to meet the fire victims’ requirements.

Chief District Officer Hari Lochan Sharma said Rs 6,21,000 in cash has been collected but added that they needed more. He said that government employees donated their two- day’s salary to the fire victims.

Meanwhile, transport entrepreneurs in Dharan have decided to provide Rs 51,000 in cash as relief to the fire victims of Myanglung bazaar, the district headquarters of Tehrathum. Around 300 families were rendered homeless after a blazing fire spread to more than 80 houses and some government buildings on Sunday evening. It is estimated that around Rs two billion worth of property was gutted in the fire.

A joint meeting of transport entrepreneurs and syndicate operating public vehicles in the hill areas of Kosi zone decided to extend their support to the fire victims, said a press statement issued Thursday.

Likewise, locals of Dhankuta, Hile and Sidhuwa bazaars have collected relief materials equivalent to Rs 70,000 for the fire victims in Teharathum. Former ward member of Hile VDC Ganesh Bista said that the materials, including foodstuffs, were handed over to Tehrathum Red Cross Society. A local businessman bore the cost of transporting the goods to the district. In Dhankuta, Nepali Congress (Democratic) and a local non-governmental organisation provided Rs 20,500 in cash to the victims.

PoWs’ victory rally held in Pokhara

Post Report

POKHARA, Dec 12:British Gurkhas, made Prisoner of War (PoW) during the 2nd World War by the Japanese, and their widowed spouses were honoured amidst a grand function organised by the Gurkha Army Ex-servicemen Organisation (GAESO) in Pokhara on Wednesday.

There are around 48 such army-men and army-widows from Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones alone, it is learnt.

The programme was held to commemorate the recent decision by the British High Court, which on November 27, decided in favour of former Gurkha PoWs, as being entitled to compensation for suffering as PoWs of the Japanese during the Second World War. GAESO decided to celebrate the day as Victory Day for Gurkha ex-servicemen.

Among those honoured in the programme were, 83-year-old Captain, Pahalman Gurung, Bhaishwor Pun, Sher Bahadur Gurung, Ait Singh Gurung.

Before the final gathering at the Dipendra Sabha Hall, a procession of more than a thousand people, headed by a jeep carrying former PoW soldiers and their spouses went around the major thorough-fares of Pokhara from the office of GAESO.

Speaking on the occasion and recalling his past, 83-year-old Gurkha veteran, Pahalman Gurung, recalled how he had fought and shed blood for the British government from a very young age, and the compensation that he is now entitled to has made him feel proud again.

"We were valiant and brave, but did not have much knowledge before, and all this time we had been indulged into slavery by British, but now because of Padam Bahadur we are able to hold our heads high," reiterated Pahalman.

GAESO states that there are more than one thousand former Gurkha PoWs of World War II, in Nepal. As per data collected by GAESO, as a corollary to the news of the forth coming compensation, the preliminary estimate is that some 500 million rupees will be flowing into Nepal, informed GAESO chairman, Padam Bahadur Gurung.

"For those brave Nepalese soldiers who took bullets in their chest for the British and who were often ridiculed as rented ‘Gurkha’ soldiers, this decision has made them feel dignified," contended Padam.

Speaking at the function, Khagendra Sangraula, a writer said, "In this two hundred years of British history, when they had only inflicted injustice and discrimination, this victory has been instrumental and was realised due to the wisdom, dignity and unification of these army-men".

Abducted woman escapes safely from Maoists

Rudra Khadka

MUSIKOT (Rukum), Dec 12:Maoist rebels had abducted 45-year-old Dhan Maya Kunwar, former Nepali Congress, vice-chairman of Chaukhwang VDC, from Galampati, Chaukhwang VDC-9, on April 25. After an ordeal of four months in captivity, living in fear, being beaten up and dragged around the hills; she managed to elude her captors, from one of many hide-outs she was taken to, and reach the headquarters at Musikot on September 9 only.

Free from the clutches of the Maoists, Dhan Maya managed to reach the headquarters with the assistance of a relative, who admitted her to a hospital. She was able to recognise the relative who helped her, on the twelfth day only when she finally came to her senses.

Following the abduction from her house, she was made to force-march for two days without any food or water. Finally she was lodged in a house along with 12 insurgents, both male and female, who tortured her without mercy, with even the female Maoists taking part in meting out punishment to her.

Recounting her ordeal, Dhan Maya remembers that she was beaten, for more than four hours, by the 12 Maoists. She says that she lost consciousness and was in a daze for almost two months. She vaguely remembers that she was somewhere in the neighbouring Chunwang VDC and that she used to be carried in a Doko (bamboo basket) whenever the Maoists shifted camp. She feels that she had to bear the inhumane treatment because of a personal grievance harboured against her by one of the local Maoist workers of her locality.

For the major part of her time in captivity, she was kept in a cattle shed. While relating her experiences at the hands of the Maoists she said that the Maoists ‘who talked about human-rights and ideals, in-turn had no faith in humanity in practice.

"The atrocities that they perpetrated on simple villagers and their arrogant behaviour showed that there is no difference between them and wild animals. All they are is block-headed", said a defiant Dhan Maya.

Though the bruises from the beatings did not appear to be very serious initially, she is starting to some serious internal complications. For one thing she is not able to walk normally any more.

She understood to have spent more than Rs 90,000 as treatment for the various injuries and wounds from the Maoist beating, some of which have putrefied and become gangrenous. The District administration had provided her with financial assistance of Rs 13,000, which has proved to be insufficient. She says her hope for survival is very bleak after her wounds would not cure. Now it appears that the health of Dhan Maya, brutally mistreated for four months, has worsened.

She says that the Maoists had kidnapped her as they suspected she was the person who reported the Maoists for burning down some houses in her village. Dhan Maya swears that she had never reported about the fire to anyone.

Apart from beating her black and blue, the Maoists also took away her three tola gold necklace. However, she is sure that no one, among the Maoists, made any indecent advances to her.

Medicine sales closed for 2 days in eastern Nepal

Post Report

MORANG, Dec 12:Nepal Pharmaceutical Association and Distributors Association today decided to stop sales of medicine for two days in eastern Nepal over the death of a medical representative near the Armed Police Force barrack in Chhinnamasta, Saptari on Wednesday evening.

Medical representative Kiran Chhetri was killed inside a passenger bus after a stray bullet from nearby the barrack hit him. Six other passengers were also injured in the shootout. The bus was on its way to Biratnagar from Udayapur’s Gaighat at a time when the passengers were caught in the firing.

The passengers claimed that Chhetri, a resident of Biratnagar, died instantly due to the fire from the barrack. But none of the officials were available to comment on the incident.