NAN observes 41st anniversary

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 The Nursing Association of Nepal (NAN) celebrated its 41st anniversary today, with the theme ‘Specialties for Better Nursing Service and Education’.

Addressing the function, Dr. Prof Ramesh Nath Adhikari, dean of the Institute of Medicine, said that along with the growth of nursing institutes throughout the valley, the number of nurses has also increased. "The government is now planning to establish Ph.D. degree after the introduction of Master and Bachelor degrees," he said.

In her keynote address, Mandira Shahi, representative of NAN said that the Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in Nepal, can be completed either in two or four years.

"There are no nurses participating at the policy and decision-making level, so we appeal to the government to provide us the opportunity," said Shahi.

There are around nine thousand nurses in Nepal of which only 2,100 are members of NAN.

Migratory bird festival to commence from Feb 2

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 The 3rd Migratory Bird Festival, commencing from February 2-8, is to be organised at the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary to coincide with the World Wetlands Day, said Subash Niraula, Director of Tourism Products and Resource Development with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), at a press meet today.

To be inaugurated by Badri Narayan Basnet, Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation, one of the main aims of the festival is to promote eco-tourism in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary. Especially rich in bird species, Koshi Tappu has been the greatest bird watching destination in the country.

Although bird watching is the prime attraction, the week-long festival will also offer various programmes including ethnic dances, competition, bird survey, environmental educational tour and public interaction programme. According to Rajendra N. Suwal, operation director of bird tour, as February is the month of bird activity, including their migration and breeding, the festival holds special significance for bird lovers.

At least 150 bird species can be spotted daily, in the wild sanctuary that is habitat to around 450 bird species including endangered species. Besides birds, Dolphins and wild buffaloes with the largest horns (Arnas) are other attractions in the region.

Such festivals are expected to help promote the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary both as an eco-tourism destination and as a wetland conservation site.

In the festival last year, 600 overseas tourists visited the place, while only 32 visited in 1994. This year, tours for students and domestic tourists is expected to increase the number of visitors to the wild life sanctuary.

"There are signs of an increase in the number of tourists visiting the place, which will benefit local communities," said Suwal. Citing high pressure of tourists to the Chitwan Wildlife Sanctuary, Subash Niraula, said "In view of the downturn in Nepalese tourism, the NTB is seeking to diversify the tourism products of Nepal by promoting eco-tourism along with local cultures".

He revealed that Baraha Chhetra and Dharan have been identified as potential tourist destinations for the future.

The third consecutive festival being organised by Aqua Bird’s Unlimited (P) Ltd., private bird tour operator, in co-operation with NTB, the programme is being supported by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. While IUCN-Nepal has sponsored the programme, Participatory Conservation Programme (PCP) of UNDP will be co-ordinating it.

Earthquake rescue operation demonstrated

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 As part of the Earthquake Safety Day, a demonstration programme on ‘Collapsed Structure, Search and Rescue’ (CSSR) was organised today.

Two structures, one of brick and the other cement were erected at Lainchaur Ground. A fake earthquake was created, and the buildings made to collapse like in an earthquake.

In the presence of an audience of school children and adult onlookers, trained army personnel demonstrated techniques and procedures that should be followed when an earthquake occurs.

The army CSSR squad immediately began breaking the walls to rescue the people trapped inside. Once, the walls were broken down, the injured were carried away in stretchers to the nearest emergency medical post, especially erected to tend to people injured after the ‘earthquake’.

"It seems easy when seeing it in a demonstration but would we be able to follow these procedures during a real crisis?" questioned Haribhakta Giri, an onlooker.

The programme was jointly organised by Earthquake Safety Day national committee, Ministry of Home Affairs, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, National Society for Earthquake Technology – Nepal, with the support of associations such as Rotary Club of Thamel.

The demonstration was conducted with the active co-operation of the Royal Nepalese Army.

Media’s role in democratic process lauded

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29A survey conducted by Media Services International concluded that media in the country has shown marked maturity and accountability after the royal proclamation of October 4, as compared to the period before the imposition of the state of emergency in the country. This was brought out today at a press meet organised by MSI in the capital.

After the royal proclamation of October 4, media in Nepal gave wide coverage to the constitutional and political debates, hence playing a constructive role in the democratic process in Nepal, according to a paper presented by Yam Bahadur Bista, Binaya Kasaju and Aditya Man Shrestha. The paper also adds that the media added a new dimension in freedom of expression by carrying opinions that opposed the royal move and demanded its rectification.

The new developments in the media are unprecedented in Nepal, a country where there is no tradition of opposing the actions of King. The survey reveals that the media was instrumental in informing the people about crucial debates regarding the constitutionality of the royal move. While half of the dailies were found to have supported the royal move, the other half were found engaged in delving into its constitutionality, thus demonstrating objectivity. However, none of the dailies were found to have openly opposed the royal move.

According to the survey report, all these developments are very positive, when seen against the backdrop of around 50 years of the history of journalism in the country. Even government-owned media was found to have provided time and space for interaction programmes relating to the royal move.

Dalit representation in national politics stressed

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 "The problems of Dalits can be solved only with the change in traditional social system prevailing in the society besides modification in political structure," remarkd Arjun Narsingh KC, Spokesperson of Nepali Congress, while speaking at an interaction programme organised by Dalit NGO Federation (DNF).

The interaction programme was organised to discuss the representation of the Dalit communities in national politics, who occupy more than 20 percent of the total population in the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Jog Mehar Shrestha, central committee member of Rastriya Prajatantra Party pointed out the reasons behind Dalits’ backwardness and said poverty and illiteracy should be wiped out to uplift the community.

He said the present state of the country should be taken as the national problem and not the struggle for political power. He said the Maoist problem is the outcome of poverty.

Speaking at the programme, Mod Nath Prasrit, CPN-UML leader, observed that only democracy could solve the problem of Dalits. Govind Singh Thapa, central committee member of Jana Morcha Nepal urged all political activists to unite to overcome the current problem ailing the nation.

He remarked the government, which is not able to safeguard the life of high officials like Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, cannot possibly hold the election in a peaceful manner.

On the occasion, DB Biswokarma, DNF chairman, presented eight-point suggestions for political parties to consider to uplift the Dalit community.

Speaking at the programme, he also emphasised to provide strict directives to all party workers in the grassroot level, to check the spread of untouchability and create awareness among other groups.

Dhaal Bahadur Biswokarma of Rastriya Prajatantrik Dalit Utthan Sangh, Man Bahadur Biswokarma of Nepal Dalit Sangh, and Chhabi Lal Biswokarma of Dalit Utpidit Sangh also expressed their views on the occasion.

Expulsion of 7 orphan students alleged

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 Seven orphan students belonging to a minority Mohajir community have been expelled from the Post Graduate College of Bag in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, according to a statement issued in Kathmandu by Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Movement (JKHRM).

According to Mohammad Bashir Tahir, president of JKHRM, Syed Atif Ameer, Syed Ameer Abbas, Shahzad Ali, Humadul Hasan, Amir Abbas, Qamer Abbas and Syed Farhad Ali were expelled on the basis of caste prejudice. Kabeer Chugtai, principal of the college, who expelled the students, is reportedly belong to the so-called upper caste.

The JKHRM informed the provincial government of Kashmir about the injustice and requested its rectification, but to no avail. Similarly, the government of Pakistan turned a deaf ear to the problem upon being approached. As the last resort, JKHRM has turned to international human rights forums and media for help.

Heavy snowfall affects life in Taplejung, Dolakha

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TAPLEJUNG, Jan 29 Life in Olang Chung Gola and neighbouring VDCs in the north of Taplejung district, remains paralysed due to continued snowfall since Tuesday night, according to sources.

The heavy snowfall has severely affected normal life with local residents staying indoors, according to Chhumbe Sherpa, the outgoing deputy-Chairman of the VDC.

"The heavy snowfall, in most places more than half the height of a house, has restricted the movement of people," said Sherpa. The snowfall has also affected Papung and Kalikhola, two neighbouring VDCs, both of which are a five-days walk from Fungling, the district headquarters, according to Sherpa.

Meanwhile, our reporter from Dolakha states that the heavy snowfall in the nearby mountains has led to a plummeting of the mercury and affecting normal activity at Charikot, the district headquarters, in central Nepal.

With the nearby mountains, like Gauri Shankar, Kalinchok, Shailung and Hanumante Danda being covered in snow, life in Charikot is experiencing harsh cold, according to sources.

Local residents in the Charikot bazaar are fending off the cold by warming themselves around fires lit in the yards of their homes, for the last two days. The snowfall has also made travelling along the road from Lamosanghu to Jiri difficult, sources said.

Planning meeting of Terai Arc Landscape kicks off

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KATHMANDU, Jan 29 A two-day plan meeting on Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) programme began in Nepalgunj yesterday. Conducted by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation of HMG Nepal, in the central and eastern Terai and Churia regions of Nepal, the programme is being conducted under the technical and financial aid of WWF Nepal Programme.

Dr. Swoyambhu Man Amatya, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) chaired the meeting, while Mr. Jamuna Krishna Tamrakar, Director General of the Department of Forests (DoF) gave the inaugural speech. Dr. Amatya had remarked that TAL was the result of 30 years of experience in the field of conservation.

Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung, country representative, on behalf of WWF Nepal Programme (WWF-NP) expressed his gratitude to HMG for allowing WWF-NP to implement and conduct the TAL programme. Dr. Gurung also drew attention on the opportunities, benefits and threats in the conduction of TAL programme.

At the function, Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey, Chief of the Environment Division of Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) focused on the visions, objectives, programmes and strategies of TAL. Likewise, Mr. Mohan Prasad Wagle, Chief of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Planning Division, stressed on the need of TAL programme, and added that TAL being a programme of HMG, a concerted effort is required for the success of TAL.

This meeting saw participation from Forest Directors of Central and Far West regions, District Forest Officers of Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardia, Dang, Banke, Palpa and Parsa districts.

Similarly, Representatives from the King Mahendra Trust For Nature Conservation (KMTNC), various Chief Conservation Officers, senior officials of Ministries and Departments, and officials of WWF-supported projects were also present.

Seminar on natural resources management held

RSS

RAJBIRAJ, Jan 29 A district level participatory seminar organised by the pro-public with the slogan ‘Local Community For Natural Resources Management’ concluded here yesterday.

Sociologist of the Koshi Pump Canal Benu Prasad Poudel said the state of the oldest canal of Nepal the Chandra Nahar has not been improved despite spending 80 million rupees.

Engineer of the eastern regional Irrigation Division Office Rajbiraj Kushang Sherpa informed that Rs. 18 million has been allocated for the project in the current fiscal year for operation, clean up, structure construction, pump repair, electricity and institutional development.

Only 12,000 hectares out of the 25,000 hectares of command area has been irrigated because of the crumbling of the canal, said Sherpa.

Also speaking on the occasion were Pankaj Pokhrel of the pro-public, DDC planning officer Narayan Pandey, Hitnarayanlal Das of pro-public and journalists Rajesh Jha and Abadhesh Jha.

Newly built eye hospital building in ruins

By Rajendra Manandhar

DOLAKHA, Jan 29 The Dolakha Lions Eye Hospital, constructed two years ago at a cost of nearly Rs 10 million, lies in a dilapidated condition even before any treatment nor other services have started.

The hospital building, constructed with financial assistance from the international Lions Club and equipped with the latest facilities has not been put to use due to a conflict of interest between the contractor responsible for the construction and members of the Dolakha Lions Club.

The Dolakha, District President of the Nepali Congress, Madhavmani Rajbhandary, who had donated the land for the hospital building is not a happy man.

"Even two years after the completion of the hospital infrastructure, the contracting company has not handed over the hospital," says Rajbhandary, adding, "I understand that work at the hospital could not be started after cracks began to appear at various parts of the building".

The Lions Club had refused to take possession of the hospital complex after water started leaking from cracks, which developed in the ceilings of the newly constructed building. The building sits on three ropanis of land at Bhimeshwor municipality-2 of Dolakha.

Subash Pradhan, the contractor, associated with Apex Consultant, and responsible for this building construction, however, alleges that non-payment on the part of the Lions Club, has stopped them from handing over the building.

According to Rajbhandary, also a resident of the area, the building started to show cracks from where water was leaking, and that the electrical wiring was getting degraded.

The construction of the building had started during the tenure of Surya Bahadur Thapa as Prime Minister, who had laid the foundation stone in 1998. The construction was completed in 2000.

Pradhan claims that, once he is paid the remaining amount of Rs. 1.5 million, of the total cost of Rs 10.5 million, he is ready to hand over the same to the Lions Club. Tikanarayan Pradhan, the outgoing ward chairman, hoped that the dispute would be resolved soon so that people can benefit from its services.

Once it starts functioning, the eye hospital is expected to provide service, not only to patients from Dolakha but also the people of Ramechhap and Solukhumbu.