Three wetlands to make it to Ramsar Site list

By Kiran Chapagain

KATHM ANDU, Jan 30 Three wetland areas of the country will make it to the coveted list of the international Ramsar Site once the government formally declares them as important wetlands during the World Wetlands Day on February 2.

Only those wetlands that have unique and important ecological importance and value are declared as Ramsar Site by a Switzerland-based body that works for the conservation of wetlands. The body was formed after the historic signing of Ramsar Convention in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

Dr Tirtha Man Maskey, the Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), told The Kathmandu Post today that a meeting of the Cabinet last Thursday has approved a proposal forwarded by conservation officials to include the areas in the Ramsar Site list.

The sites are Ghodaghodi Tal area of Kailali district, Jagadishpur reservoir area of Kapilvastu and Beesh Hazar Tal area of Chitwan. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve situated on the banks of the Koshi river in eastern Nepal is the only wetland area of Nepal that has been declared a Ramsar Site. The "bird-watchers’ paradise" made it to the list in 1987.

Nepal ratified the International Convention on Wetlands 1971 in 1985.

"These are very important wetland areas providing perfect habitat to various endangered species of birds, reptiles and fauna," Dr Maskey said. "Once they are declared Ramsar Site the government will be encouraged and required to put in place better conservation efforts."

Garlanding the Himalayan region—a major source of the world’s fresh water resources—Nepal’s southern plains is considered an important eco-region abundant in dense Sal forests, grasslands and wetlands. According to IUCN (The World Conservation Union), a total of 163 wetland sites have been surveyed there.

While the Beesh Hazar Tal lies in the vicinity of Royal Chitwan National Park—one of Nepal’s two natural sites included in the list of UNESCO World Heritages—the Jagadishpur Reservoir is at Kapilvastu, near Lumbini, and is a haven for migratory and wintering waterfowls and other birds.

Situated in the western Terai district of Kailali—somewhere along the corridor connecting Royal Bardia National Park and Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve—Ghodaghodi Tal is among the largest lake system of far-western Nepal.

The fresh water lake is surrounded by fauna like Sal, Saj, Dhangero, Sandan, and scores of species of aerials, amphibians and reptiles.

Soon after the formal announcement is made, officials would forward the proposal to the Switzerland-based body, according to Dr Maskey

SAC takes up the cause of Maoist helpers

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KATHMANDU Jan 30 The parliamentary State Affairs Committee (SAC) on Wednesday decided to issue a directive to the government to take necessary initiatives to stop victimisation and torture of the people who allegedly sheltered and donated money to the Maoists before the State of Emergency was declared.

In a meeting held in the parliament’s premises today, SAC took the decision as various members expressed their concern about the reported torture of those who had "helped" the rebels under threat.

"The directive does not intend to stop the security personnel from interrogating the suspects and hold them in custody but a necessary measure to rule out the possibility of victimising innocent civilians", said Surya Bahadur Thapa, who chaired today’s meeting as the former Chairman Hom Nath Dahal had resigned his post. The Speaker is yet to take a final decision on the resignation. "The victimisation will go on until and unless the Cabinet issues strict orders to the heads of the security agencies."

The committee has decided to institute a sub- committee headed by Pradip Gyawali, a member of the committee, in order to draft the suggestion and directives to the government. Gyawali said that the situation had not improved in the rural areas even after the imposition of the state of emergency. He also criticised the government for failing to specify the objectives of the emergency.

The sub- committee has also been assigned to prepare reports on the situation of the country after imposition of the emergency and monitor the implementation of the directives from the government side.

The committee also decided to call for written clarifications from Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka on the clauses of the law concerning recruitment process in Nepal Police and National Investigation Department (NID) and the grounds on which he decided to transfer the inspectors from National Investigation Department to Nepal Police and Special Police Department.

Minister Khadka informed the committee that the decision to transfer the personnel from NID to Nepal Police and Special Police Department was made in the past during the period of former Inspector General of Police Achyut Krishna Kharel, Minister of Home Govinda Raj Joshi and Prime Minister GP Koirala.

"426 personnel were to be transferred", Khadka said, adding that recent decision was made for transferring 91 personnel to Special Police department and 60 to Nepal Police.

He refuted that the decision was coloured by party considerations and denied any ill intention behind the decision. " Who had applied to leave the NID have been transferred", Khadka said.

When member of the committee Mahendra Pandey quoted the regulations of civil police, which does not allow the transfer, Minister Khadka said, " As the questions of legal provisions have been raised, I am thinking of taking legal suggestions from the Attorney General". But he declined to disclose the steps the government would take if it was found illegal.

During the course of his grilling by SAC members, Khadka revealed the Chief District Officers were refusing to be posted to hilly districts and his ministry was lacking some nine first class officers.

Poor governance blamed for failed human development

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 Nepal has made a significant stride in different fronts such as education, health and other social services, and yet the level of human development remains among the lowest in the world. And the reason, among others, is inequity and inequality in the distribution of resources and opportunities, says the Human Development Report 2001, which was released here Wednesday.

The 154-page report also says that despite the government prioritising the issue of Human Development over the last decade, people continue to suffer from low life expectancy, low literacy and living conditions. It blames poor governance for the failure. "Government policies and programmes intended to reduce poverty have not been effective due to the poor governance," it adds.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba released the report in a function jointly organized by UNDP and the National Planning Commission (NPC).

UNDP’s Resident Representative to Nepal, Henning Karcher said, "The inequality in the distribution of resources and opportunities among the people has been a major hindrance in reducing poverty¼Participatory approach, gender equality and decentralization are important elements for the country to move ahead. The development report clearly shows that the country lacks all these elements."

The report reflects the vast difference in Human Development Index (HDI) in rural and urban areas. According to the report, the HDI was recorded at 0.446 in rural areas as against the urban with 0.616. Life expectancy of the rural areas stood at 58.7 years while in urban areas it is 71.1. Similarly, Adult literacy of rural areas stood at 48 per cent where as in urban areas it is 69 per cent and mean year of schooling in rural areas is 2.89 and 4.86 in urban areas.

According to the report, the HDI stood at 0.466 with life expectancy at 59.5, adult literacy at 50.70, mean year of schooling at 2.8946 and GDP per capita Purchasing Power Parity at US dollars 1237.

Speaking at the function, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the government has always focused on poverty alleviation with plans and policies aimed at reducing poverty. "Though all Human Development Indicators have significantly improved in the last decade, there is lot to be done, " he said.

The Prime Minister added that the 10th National Five Year Plan would focus on the poverty reduction like the previous ones.

"Plans have already been drafted and we are working out to implement them effectively. The plans are formulated in such a way as to ensure the poor people equal access in every sectors."

Shankar Sharma, the Member of the NPC said that the tenth plan would focus on measures to reducing the widening gap between the rural and urban areas, adding that good governance is really important in poverty eradication.

This is the second such report prepared by an independent team of experts and it was commissioned by the UNDP to explore issues of national concern. The report was launched after several rounds of consultations with the related experts.

Nepal pulls off stunning win over Namibia

By Rajendra Gyawali

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan 30 Nepali bowlers, led by skipper Binod Das, yet again worked wonders as Nepali Colts pulled a sensational 10-run win against Namibia to inch closer to the Plate Championship semi-finals in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup at North Harbour Stadium on Wednesday.

Nepal, with 9 points, leads its Group table after two matches while Scotland is placed second at 5 points and Namibia stands third at 4 points. Canada is the other team in the pool.

It was a credible performance from Nepali bowlers, who held their nerves to the last minutes of the game, bowling Namibia out for 127 runs in 48.4 overs. With the win Nepal has evened the score with Namibia for its 19-run loss in their preparation match held on January 16.

After Nepal won the toss and scored137 runs in 49.2 overs batting first, Namibia looked well set for a comfortable win at one stage with 83 runs on board and eight wickets intact at the end of 31st over.

But once H Ludik (33), the highest scorer for Namibia, was out to Bardan Chalise as the fourth wicket with score at 105, wickets fell like nine pins. And they lost six wickets within next 22 runs.

Das, leading from the front, took three of the last four wickets to propel Nepal to what appeared as an unlikely win when Namibia needed just 13 runs off last 17 balls with three wickets in hand.

Apart from his outstanding spell of bowling, Das also effected a run out with a direct throw and took an outstanding flying catch of M Greef, an opening batsmen for Namibia, at mid-on off the bowling of left-arm spinner Lakpa Lama. Das was later declared man of the match.

The Nepali spinners were at their economic best with Lama taking three wickets for 23 runs in 10 overs. Shakti Gauchan took two wickets for 32 runs while Sanjam Regmi was the most miserly of all, giving away just 15 runs in 10 overs.

While the bowlers took the centrestage in the low scoring match, Bardan Chalise, the Nepali vice-captain, found form scoring more than half the runs for his team. Chalise’s 69 was the only significant innings in otherwise lacklustre Nepali team batting performance as could only muster 137 runs in 49.2 overs.

Chalise, coming in to bat at No 3, rapped seven boundaries before he found himself stranded to a throw from M Greef, ending Nepali innings. Chalise stayed on the crease for 127 balls. The only other batsman for Nepal to reach double figures was Kanishka Chaugain (13).

Nepali innings never acquired the momentum it should have during the middle overs, thanks to some brilliant ground fielding from the Namibians who caused as many as four run outs, three in the top middle order.

Paul Steyn, the left-arm spin bowler from Namibia, took two wickets for 23 runs from his 10 overs. The Namibians were guilty of presenting Nepal with 15 extra runs while Nepali bowlers were more disciplined giving away only 5.

Roy Dias, Nepali team coach, expressed his confidence on the Nepali bowlers yet again. "I was confident of our bowlers’ ability to defend smallish totals," said Dias, after the match. "That’s the reason I suggested Binod to elect batting after winning the toss."

As thousands throng to Sali, Swosthani tradition lives on

By Shova Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Jan 30 Oh Agasta Muni! This world was once a void. The trinity of Brahma, Bisnu and Maheswor have the power to create, preserve and destroy millions of creatures.

This is the chant that reverberates across the holy Sali river at Sankhu even as thousands of Hindu pilgrims braving the early morning chill gather there to mark the month-long Swosthani festival.

Pilgrims, both young and old, women and men, take a dip in the Sali river each year during this time, to seek blessings from the trinity—Brahma the creator, Bisnu the preserver and Maheswor the destroyer. A dip in the river at Sankhu, the Swosthani scripture says, will wash them off all their sins and purify their souls. The believers also fast for a month to propitiate the gods.

Says one devotee, Sanu Maya Maharjan: "I am a staunch believer, but the Swosthani rites are very difficult. It is not easy to take bath at four in the morning at this time of the year." Maharjan, like many others, is on bare feet for a whole month.

During this holy month, devotees from all over the country as well as those from Darjeeling and Thimphu make it to Sankhu. "The number is increasing every year," says Laxmi Prasad Giri, President of the religious body, Janak Janaki Siddhartha Dharma Karma Service Association.

But if the Swosthani rituals are tough, it is made much more difficult for the pilgrims because there are no shelter homes nearby. Nor are there proper toilet facilities, and devotees can be seen gingerly walking avoiding the excreta on the path.

According to the Swosthani myth, Queen Chandrawati while trying to cross the bridge over the Sali river at Sankhu (once known as Lawanya Desh), the river suddenly erupted in a flood, and the bridge was swept away. Chandrawati fell from her palanquin into the raging waters.

But when the Queen fell, the water abruptly turned still. Finding that her life was saved miraculously, Chandrawati turned an ascetic and started a month-long fast. Thus began the penance tradition of Swosthani.

The pilgrims who gather at Sankhu strongly believe that during this holy month, if they carry out the penance strictly, God will fulfill all their desires.

So spinsters pray for a good husband, wives pray for their husbands’ long life and women without children pray to be blessed with child. Even the husbands seek blessings from the Lord for their wives’, while unmarried men seek ideal life partners.

But the Swosthani rituals are more difficult for the men, says a pilgrim, Nuchhe Bazracharya, from Bhaktapur. "We have to roll on the ground from Sankhu to Bajrayogini, from Bajrayogini to Pasupatinath, and from Pashupatinath to Sheshnath, while the women can walk to these places."

The Swosthani scripture is being read in Nepal for many generations. Its stories are derived either from the oral tradition or from the purans, the roots of which go back to 1200 BC.

Many Nepalis regard the Swosthani as much more important than even the Ramayan and Mahabharat epics. Most of the stories in the scripture are of Lord Shiva, perhaps the most popular God of the Hindu Kingdom.

During this holy month, which usually is between January and Februrary, the scriptures are read aloud or listened to. During the evenings, the believers gather at the Sali banks, and the oldest among them fetches the scripture from the sacred prayer room. Then everyone bows in reverence, and the mantras begin to be chanted in a singsong style. During the month, the scripture is read from the beginning to the end, chapter by chapter.

Shutters down in New Road

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KATHMANDU, Jan 30 Many shopping complexes and stores in the New Road area today closed down early protesting against the raids conducted on several shops inside the Bishal Bazar Complex by the Internal Revenue Department (IRD) on Wednesday.

Following the closure of the Bishal Bazar Complex, other shopping arcades, including R B Complex, Pashupati Plaza, Suraj Arcade, among other smaller stores in New Road, closed down early in the evening. President of the Bishal Bazar Trade Association Puspa Das Shrestha alleged that the IRD officials even misbehaved with the businessmen. "The shops were closed to protest their behaviour," he said.

The IRD had carried out raids in order to ensure effective implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT). The raids were carried out by eight teams of IRD officials at around 4 pm to take action against those who did not comply with the VAT Act.

IRD officials said the action was prompted to discourage undervaluation of goods and to ensure businessmen’s compliance with the billing requirements.

"The IRD carried out the raids on suspicions of tax evasion. The raid team were to scrutinize the accounts and to see if the businessmen complied with the billing system," said Ram Mani Dawadi, Chief Tax Officer of IRD area no. 2. He also informed that letters had been issued to 30 of the total 300 shops in Bishal Bazar. The raid team had hardly completed their interrogation in 12 shops when businessmen protesting the government action began closing down. Warning that the shopping complex may be closed again if raids are carried out, Shrestha informed that a delegation of the association will visit the concerned IRD office on Thursday.