Illegal constructions around Swoyambhu Stupa pulled down

By Bikash Sangraula

KATHMANDU, Jan 28 ; Various illegal constructions around Swyambhu Stupa were pulled down today, after local watchdogs raised their voice against the deterioration of the world heritage site owing to the daring of petty entrepreneurs. Swoyambhu has suffered time and again from illegal constructions. This time, the world heritage status of the area was seriously threatened after the illegal constructions of several Buddha statues along its eastern entrance, and some parking sheds and several shops along its western entrance.

On the initiative of Swoyambhu Management and Conservation General Committee (SMCGC) and the Explore Nepal Group (ENG), an inspection team, headed by Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, visited the site last week. Later, a meeting was convened in the ministry to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by representatives from Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), the Department of Archaeology (DoA), District Police Office, Hanumandhoka and SMCGC.

According to Bishnu Raj Karki, assistant secretary of DoA, the meeting decided on a smoother co-operation between the institutions in terms of checking illegal constructions in the area, as well as ensuring the protection of the world heritage status of the area in all necessary ways. "Now onwards, we will be witnessing prompt action in case of new endeavours at illegal constructions in the area," said Karki.

The constructions were demolished by a bulldozer and men hired by the committee. The demolition took place with the co-operation of the locals and in the presence of those responsible for the constructions. The locals see the demolition as immense relief to the site. "We were worried that the site would be stripped off its world heritage status due to the degradation of its environment," says Manandhar.

Though the help came along well and fine this time, the delay in response has been a source of permanent headache for the committee. The garbage problem in the area persists. According to Tirtha Narayan Manandhar, chief of SMCGC, the committee, with the assistance of The Explore Nepal Group (ENG) has been undertaking weekly cleaning activities in the area and is keeping a vigilant eye on the constructions.

The problem of managing waste from both the tourists and the residents, has been a major cause of the environmental degradation of the area. Previously an unrestricted dumping area for waste from neighbouring areas, the forest around the Stupa has seen some relief after Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) arranged for a garbage container and volunteers from SMCGC as well as ENG started cleaning the area on a weekly basis. However, the dumping problem persists, though in a smaller form.

According to Bharat Basnet, managing director of ENG, it is imperative that the government ban the dumping of non-degradable wastes in the area. "We are holding talks with the ministry to see what could be done in the way of banning such items in the area," Basnet told The Kathmandu Post.

Though no headway has been made officially in terms of managing the waste, DoA sources are confident that illegal constructions will not be undertaken in the area any more. It is worth noting that any construction outside of the world heritage master plan could be tantamount to accepting the disqualification of the area of that status.

Report on media coverage on children released

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 28 : The Hatemalo Sanchar, an organisation working for the promotion of child rights with their increased participation, today released a report on children related issues published in various newspapers here today.

Prepared by Saurav Kiran Shrestha, programme co-ordinator, and Kushum Sharma of Hatemalo Sanchar, with assistance from social work students of St. Xavier’s College, the report has found five major areas of children being published by eight sample newspapers published from the Kathmandu Valley.

The major areas of child rights identified by the report named "Print Media Coverage on Children’s Issue – 2002" are organisational activities, education, impact of Maoist insurgency, child labour and health.

The Kathmandu Post and its sister publications Kantipur were also taken as sample newspapers.

Young cyclist hopes to set mountain-biking record

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Jan 28 : Speaking to media people, today, China Bikram Lama announced that he is to undertake a solo 44-hour Everest Base Camp Mountain Bike and trek expedition.

Starting from Jiri on February 1, Lama’s journey is scheduled to end up at the Everest Base camp on February 8. The journey, to involve 50 percent trekking and 50 percent biking would take him to Jun Besi, Lukla, Tengboche, Pheriche, Gorakshep and Kalapathar. On a daily basis he will not be cycling for more than 8 hours.

"This journey will bring me closer to my goal of entering the Guinness Book by biking down from the 6,476 metre Mera Peak in the Everest region," says the 25-year-old biker.

"If some international sponsors are willing to finance my next project, which requires a huge budget for sophisticated instruments, I would definitely take up the venture," he further adds.

Having worked in a bicycle shop has given him hopes of becoming a successful mountain biker. Being financially weak, he has been cycling on rented bicycles, however, this time he has succeeded in receiving financial and technical support from various sources.

While the Adidas company has given him a small financial support, Singhi Plaza has agreed to give him a watch, Kathmandu Mountain Bikes Pvt. Ltd. is letting him use their special mountain bike and mechanic Jiten Choudhari will be providing the technical support.

The young biker’s courage and adventurous spirit are his main assets that made him take on the lonely biking venture. However, Lama is no novice in the field of mountain biking and he has a remarkable record of achievements since 1998 .

He stood second in the 20-kilometre Nepal Mountain Bike championship of 1998. He came fifth in the subsequent race. In the Millennium Mountain Bike race in 1999, he fared badly due to muscle cramps, but was still able to take the 18th position among many participants including foreigners.

After these races, Lama singly took up adventurous rides along top trekking routes of the world, such as the Annapurna circuit in 2001 and 2002. In the first attempt in 2001, he completed the journey in five and a half days while in 2002, he completed the trip within 26 hours.

"I always try to break my own records and each time I go for a new venture, I do so with renewed vigour," he said.

However, the young cyclist is sore at the lack of interest on the part of local companies and concerned authorities.

"Although there is lot of interest in mountain biking, business companies here are not enthusiastic about sponsoring the sport. Nepal could be a popular destination for mountain biking for the interested tourists," added Lama, who has started working as a mountain bike guide .

Born in Dolakha, Lama was inspired by the mountain biking events of the Atlanta Olympics of 1999. "I really hope to take Nepal to the Olympics one day, but looking at the national situation, my hopes have been reduced to at least national level," Lama remarked with a tinge of sadness.

Maoists target families of security personnel in Kailali

By Mohan Budha Aer

KAILALI, Jan 28 : Stating that they failed to call back their members serving in the security forces, the Maoist rebels have locked up the houses of the families of security personnel in Kailali district. As the rebels do not allow them to leave the villages, they are in a critical situation, according to sources.

It is not the first time that the rebels locked up the houses of security personnel. Earlier, they locked up the houses and asked the family members to leave the village. Situation took a worse turn as the rebels warned them not to leave village, according to sources.

The affected family members are either staying under tents in their own yards or are taking refuge at their neighbour’s or relative’s houses.

The rebels have locked up the house belonging to Dharma Raj Timilsena, a Police Head Constable, at Baliya VDC-6. Timilsena has been serving at a police office in Darchula district.

"I have heard that the rebels have locked up the empty house and my family members are taking refuge in our neighbour’s house. I cannot go home in such a situation," said Timilsena. "Since the Maoists have issued a threat that they would kill my family members wherever they went, leaving the village, I cannot bring them to the city."

All the members of the security personnel are facing the same situation in the district, according to sources.

"They can neither call their men back home nor can they stand the situation," said a local.

Though there are no clear records of the number of families affected by the latest Maoist strategy, it is estimated that the rebels have locked up around 200 houses belonging to the family of security personnel in the district.

Human rights violation worsening

Post Report

NUWAKOT, Jan 28 : The wife of Janak Prasad Adhikari who was re-arrested as soon as he was released from Nuwakot Jail last week despite a Supreme Court verdict ordering his release has lodged applications in different organisations asking for the security of his life.

Ajita Simkhada Adhikari has stated in a form submitted to the International Red Cross that Adhikari was driven away in a white car by policemen in plain clothes who were waiting for him outside the prison after his release.

Similarly, Ajita Adhikari has also lodged applications at the National Human Rights Commisssion and Nepal Bar Association asking for the security for life as per human rights protection.

On Friday, Amnesty International issued a statement expressing serious concerns over the worsening human rights situation in Nepal.

The statement of Amnesty International cites the case of Janak Prasad Adhikari, who was arrested by security personnel soon after he was released on the orders of the Supreme Court on Friday.

Amnesty International said that there were growing incidents of human rights violations by the security forces and added that the concerned authorities were not doing enough to check the rights abuses.

Adhikari, a worker at the Irrigation Department at Tripureshwore, was arrested a year ago under the Terrorist and Destructive Activities (Punishment and Prevention) Act.

Eight rebels shot dead in encounters

Post Report

MAHENDRANAGAR, Jan 28 : Security forces shot dead eight Maoist rebels while four security personnel are missing during separate encounters in various parts of the country yesterday.

Security sources said they shot dead six rebels in Suda VDC of Kanchanpur district. Among those six killed were four women and an area secretary, identified as Sangin. The forces also recovered some documents, which prove that they were involved in abduction, extortion of money and in setting fire on a Small Farmers Cooperative in Suda.

Meanwhile, our report from Palpa said that Security personnel shot dead two Maoist rebels while four security personnel have gone missing during separate incidents in Palpa and Gulmi districts yesterday.

Two rebels known as Sagar and Chandra were killed in an encounter with a security patrolling team at Bankamalang VDC, in the east of the district yesterday evening.

Security personnel also recovered four socket bombs, some bullets and Maoist documents from the site of incident, said security sources.

Four security personnel involved in another encounter at Ardhabang area of Gulmi district are still missing as informed by a highly placed security source.

There had been a brief exchange of fire between the joint unit of 50 to 60 security patrolling team and around 500 Maoist rebels. Those missing have not come in contact till today evening.

As to our reports from Mathali, the locals in Khimti VDC-4 hacked three rebels with khukuris when the rebels attempted to abduct a soldier of the Royal Nepal Army from his home on Sunday.

The brothers and relatives of the army-man, Bed Bahadur Bhujel, attacked the rebels after they dragged Bhujel from his home. Bhujel’s brother attacked the rebels after they tied him and began to drag him despite their requests to spare him. Locals said that other rebels took the injured cadres along with them. The victims were also injured in the skirmish and were rushed to a local health post for treatment.

In yet another report reaching here from Morang, seven active members including former Morang district chairman of All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union, Narendra Dhakal, were released from detention after they pledged to shun the organisation in the days to come. The local administration had arrested them shortly after the imposition of emergency last year. Authorities said that a total of 775 Maoist supporters have surrendered to the administration since the beginning of the emergency.

Pregnant women deprived of Iron pills in Ramechhap

Post Report

MANTHALI, Jan 28 : More than 55 percent of pregnant women in Ramechhap district have been deprived of Iron tablets. According to the statistical record of the District Health Office (DHO) at Ramechhap, of 4,182 pregnant women last year in this district, only 1,837 pregnant women had sought to take iron pills.

"Iron pills are very essential for the health of both the mother and the child, and for safe motherhood. Being deprived of iron pills can lead to low count of Red Blood Cells (RBC) and even anaemic condition. The deficiency of RBC can have harmful effect even on the growing foetus inside, besides the health of the mother," contends Dr. Abdul Rahaman of the DHO.

Not only are these pregnant village women deprived of the iron pills, they do not have access to health workers, they lack the various vitamins and have no check-up facilities during pregnancy. It is learnt that lack of awareness is the main reason that is keeping them away from all these amenities. Dr. Rahaman says, "Leave aside the women living in these villages, even those residing around the district headquarters, Manthali, are not aware and therefore not interested in these iron pills."

But locals contend that the unavailability of sufficient quantities of the iron pills in a majority of the health posts and sub-health posts has led to these pregnant women not having access to these services.

The lack of necessary knowledge about the health of mother and the child among the people of Ramechhap, often leads to untimely death of many, every year in Ramechhap district. The tradition of seeking the help of local nurses and other local midwives during delivery, is also another reason for death of the child and mother. There is a need for the involvement of the government as well as the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in bringing about awareness among the locals.

It is learnt that only 4.1 percent of nurses are properly trained. According to the report of the health office, the majority of women fail to carry out necessary vaccination and other vital procedures after pregnancy; only 11.3 percent of these women are found to observe post-pregnancy requirements. According to data from the DHO, only 18.7 percent of pregnant women take the required TT vaccination.

Dr. Abdul Rahaman of the Rammechap DHO says that shortage of medicines and even lack of primary treatment for the public at various health centres in the village, is due to the activity of the Maoists who ransack medicines from these centres.

However, it is learnt that a government-based organisation, Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti, that has been in that district since the past 19 years has been providing health benefits to the locals through their mobile health service. This Samiti has been extending its service to 25 out of the 55 VDCs of the district.

Army deployment controls timber smuggling

Post Report

KAPILVASTU, Jan 28 : Timber smuggling from the forests of Kapilvastu district, which was going on unabated, within the Maharajgunj and Bahadurgunj areas, with allegations that even police personnel were involved in the racket, has witnessed a sharp decline following army action last week, according to sources.

Revenue Tax Patrolling Team (RTPT) of the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) apprehended a truck-full of logs along with its driver Pingal Kurmi. Also taken into custody were Chini Lal Kurmi, a resident of Thunhiya VDC-5 and Musi Suresh Shahi, proprietor of Ambika Ply Industry, last week. RTPT had also arrested four persons smuggling timber on bicycles to a saw-mill in Bahadurgunj.

"Even the police personnel at the Area Police Office (APO) Maharjgunj, were involved in the timber smuggling," claimed Suresh Shahi. However, Gyandoraj Baidha, the Chief at the APO refuted the allegation.

"Earlier, two to five tractor loads of timber would be smuggled to the saw-mills daily," said Chinni Lal Kurmi, now under detention. "Most of the saw-mills in Maharjgunj and Bahadurgunj areas have stocks of illegal timber, which is smuggled in at night and sold during day after milling."

"Timber smuggling has been controlled after the involvement of RTPT, said Durga Narayan Pandey, the outgoing Chairman of Maharajgunj VDC. "With regard to the storage of illegally acquired timber in the saw-mills, an inspection will be carried out soon," said Shantamuni Tamrakar, Chief of the District Forest Office (DFO).

Construction of two roads in Salyan

Post Report

SALYAN, Jan 28 : In line with the programmes conducted under the Rural Community Infrastructure Development Programme (RCIDP) since the past six years, the construction and maintenance works of the Marke-Rampur and Sahutola-Barala road are underway simultaneously with the motive of completing them within two years.

The Marke-Rampur and the Sahutola-Barala road on which works are being conducted with joint assistance from His Majesty Government, Ministry of Local Development, World Food Programme (WFP), and German Technical Assistance (GTZ), are 22 Km long and 6 Km respectively.

At present the construction work on the 14 Km of the 22Km long Marke-Rampur road has been completed and the necessary maintenance work is underway. Similarly, maintenance work is taking place on the Sahutola-Barala road that had been completed last year, contended the engineer for RCIDF, Mukunda Thapa.

The Ministry of Local Development has been providing 50 percent of the fund required for the construction equipment from I.T.S.H. used by the labourers and has also been providing the necessary employees required for this work. Similarly, the GTZ has been providing training to the technicians and the supervisors, while the WFP has been involved in providing the rice-grain, observed the engineer, Mukunda Thapa.

In order to carry out the digging on the eight Km section of the Marke-Rampur road and to do the necessary maintenance work on the finished part, around 260 metric tons of rice-grain, 22 tons of Gabion wire, and Rs. 4,00,000 is expected to be required.

Local take initiatives in road construction

Post Report

TAPESHWARI, (Udayapur) Jan 28 : Around 600 residents of Tapeshwari VDC of Gaighat district have been engaged in constructing the dusty, 13-kilometre Ambasi-Bandanda road for the past 10 days. The locals took the initiative after the government failed to act on their repeated pleas for a road, sources said.

Once completed, the road will benefit 35,000 people of Tapeshwari, Rampur, Bawala and Mainamainika VDCs. One member from every household is involved in the construction of the road, which will link all nine wards of the VDC, informed concerned sources.

"Though the neighbouring VDCs have road links, we have to walk for three hours to reach the nearest road. Thus we decided to construct the road ourselves," said Devi Bahadur Khatri, Co-ordinator of Motorable Road Construction Committee (MRCC).

The enthusiastic locals have already completed eight kilometres of the road, according to Brisha Bahadur Dahal, the Secretary at MRCC.

"I have been working on the road in the hope that I can experience a ride on a vehicle at least once in my life," said Jamuni Chaudhari, 68, a local who has been engaged in the road building for the past ten days. "Once completed we can visit the headquarters and return in the same day."

"We have planned to complete and gravel the road within this month. Since the District Development Committee (DDC) has not released the budget yet, work of graveling may be delayed," said Dilli Bimali, the outgoing VDC Chairperson.

Meanwhile, sources at the head office of Himali Bus Entrepreneur Organisation (HBEO) in Gaighat, the district headquarters, said that it would provide regular vehicular facilities to the VDC when the road is completed.