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| Kathmandu, Saturday March 08, 2003 Falgun 24, 2059. |
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Long-term interest
The report that the building of a dam just
across the border in India is continuing and that the Nepalese authorities are turning a
blind eye to the construction that will have an adverse effect in Nepal is indeed a matter
of serious concern. The construction of the Mahali Sagar dam is just 10 kilometres south
of the Kapilvastu district headquarters of Taulihawa. And according to the report, the dam
site is just about 100 metres away from the Nepal-India border. That the construction of
dams and similar other structures goes against the interest of any two or more countries
needs to be carefully weighed, discussed and debated before the actual construction is
started. The World Bank was recently reported to have placed several obstacles in the
construction of dams and other such structures, requiring that Nepal needs to get a go
ahead signal from riparian countries as the construction upstream is likely to affect the
environment and other conditions downstream. Similar is the case with the construction
downstream. The construction there will more often than not change the physical
environment and situation, including climatic conditions upstream. It is for these reasons
that there should be an understanding between the countries upstream and downstream
whenever constructions on rivers in either country are taken up.
A series of constructions in India along or near
the Nepal-India border have left a trail of sorrows in some parts of Nepal. The thousands
of farmers, who cry hoarse during the rainy season in Rautahat district, are a living
testimony to what happens when voices of protests are ignored. And this time, the protest
has not been lodged by the Nepali side. During the last rainy season, farmers and land
owners raised protests against the construction of a barrage in India that could submerge
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the protected World Heritage Site during rainy
season. Yet our officials and government leaders never seem to show concern over such a
crucial issue. In the case of Mahali Sagar dam, the Nepalese officials should urgently
take the issue with the government of India. After all, water resources in Nepal have the
potential to fulfil its own growing needs as well as of India. Nepal has always been
considerate about India’s growing needs, but the mutual benefit has to be
rationalised by both sides. Decisions such as having the dam built unilaterally near
Kapilvastu will jeopardise the long-term benefit accruing to both countries. |
