The Energy Crunch
There’s A Way Out

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE market is a buzz with the sudden hike in the prices of POL products but what is missed is the intricacies that have led to the increases. It is true that all of our petroleum products have to be imported entailing great expenses especially on the foreign exchange front. There is no way out as Nepal can only import, it has no such reserves on which Dependence

The only way out for us is to depend on imports of petroleum products especially to meet the fuel requirements for vehicles in a country where surface transport plays an important role. Whatever that may be the most important thing as Mr. Amrit Nakarmi of Nepal Lube Oil Limited has noted that electricity meets only one per cent of the actual fuel needs while petroleum has a share of 6 per cent and traditional sources accounts for almost 92 per cent of the total consumption.

The above data itself suggests that fuelwood provides a major chunk of the energy source for cooking in rural areas while it is only the urban areas that has access to kerosene, electricity and cooking gas.

It might sound ridiculous but the fact remains that only 300 MW of electricity has been harnessed compared to the much-talked about potential of 83,000 MW. The efforts to harness more from water resources is easier said than done. This is more so because of the huge investment required and the long gestation period. The country with its resource crunch can barely go for big projects which are deemed essential if the rising power needs are to be met within a short time frame.

A surprising revelation is that though there exists great potential to develop hydro projects in the country, the statistics so far has shown that the per Mega-joule cost of electricity is very high standing at Rs. 2.21 in comparison to Rs. 0.83 for LPG, Rs.0.62 for kerosene and Rs. 0.15 for fuelwood. The glaring differences suggests that despite the hydro potential available in the country, the consumers cannot benefit much in the present price structure.

As presented by Mr. Nakarmi, the share of petroleum products in meeting the energy demands has increased by 50 per cent in just five years. herein, it must be remembered that the demands on other sources of energy too have increased with the rising population. This fact is especially borne by data that forest depletion rate has increased in recent times despite the attempts of the government to control the situation. It is not mere government efforts alone that can save forests, the people mainly the experts and relevant policies and programmes to develop alternative energy or renewable energy is very much needed.

Forests can meet the energy demands of the people especially in the rural areas but without any concrete programmes at afforestation the scenario is quite bleak in the times to come.

Despite the great pressure on Nepal as far as the international price rise of petroleum products is concerned, the consumption in Nepal is only 35 Kg. per head as compared to 3,170 Kg. in the USA, according to the Energy Statistics Source Book, 1995. This shows that though the consumption is very low yet the low per capita income of the Nepalese people makes it difficult even to meet a slight fluctuation in the price of POL products. It is also worthwhile mentioning that Nepal’s consumption is half that of India and only 25 per cent of China. The glaring difference suggests that we are quite way behind in the consumption pattern which reflects the state of the country’s development.

Nepal cannot remain immune to the fluctuations in the international price of petroleum as such but what must be remembered is that the country must find alternative sources of energy which is competitive and can serve the need of the majority of the people. Imports alone cannot meet the demands as has been explained earlier as not even 10 per cent of the energy demands are met by petroleum products. There must be way out though petroleum products cannot be totally wiped out of the scene, the dependence can be further reduced if out own resources are tapped but, of course, at a competitive rate.

If the NOC sources are quoted, there has been an annual increase of 13 per cent in the sales of petroleum products. This means that much foreign exchange is being spent on the import of fossil fuels like petroleum. This also obviously suggests that "almost 40 % of its foreign currency earnings" are being spent on petroleum imports. The figure is quite alarming in the sense that funds for the import of other development materials has to be compromised. It is a sad story that the foreign currency earnings that Nepal makes, a significant portion just goes back. The benefit is quite negligible in real terms.

This does not mean to say that imports of petroleum products as such should be reduced just for saving the hard earned foreign exchange, but it indicates that there is a dire need for developing our own renewable sources of energy at reasonable prices. Water resources are there but the cost-benefit analysis does not show a promising picture especially in view of the low per capita earning of a Nepalese individual.

Significance

Pragmatic policies and commensurate programmes must come forth from the government so that the country on its own can meet a significant part of its energy needs. The Centre for Energy Studies may be a case in point. But what is required is that enough funds must be made available for it to conduct researches and the outcome will be in tune with the needs of the country as far as their applicability is country. Research for the sake of research is not enough: they must meet the demands an affordable prices as far as energy needs are concerned.

Smutty Covers And Contents

By Uday Lama

ON SALE at various bookstalls and newstands in Kathmandu are thin little books with smutty covers and contents—in a word obscene and vivid. Appealing not only to the eyes but the imagination as well in a negative way. And that too displayed openly without any fear of the authorities.

These tempt the casual reader to relish the covers and peep between the covers. Printed in cheap paper and often with smudged photos; geared to stirring one in a most provocative manner.

One may well ask what is wrong with such material. As it is they create an unfavourable impression on young minds that have not come to grips with reality. Nor had an encounter with the opposite sex. These are shallow, come hither traps to bedevil them. Whilst providing a cheap thrill at throw away prices.

It certainly is not in keeping with the morals of society as these can lead to more hard pornographic pictures and literature. It must be nipped in the bud before it defies the bounds of morality. Since there is a provision in the law prohibiting the display and sale of such books so an action could be taken banning them from public viewing.

Decadent minds are responsible for printing and publishing them to make a fast buck and in the process get away scotfree. The covers show how women still are protrayed as sex symbols and paints a pathetic picture of their hidden self.

A word of caution to the readers. No matter how old or mature they can be led astray so they should set an example by avoiding these books. And not even give them a look. This is to censure the sellers from making a fool of themselves under the guise of business.

There are other ways to attract customers rather than resorting to a last ditch attempt.-to what is a dirty underhanded manner. One that goes against a discerning readership. Enough is enough. Even though there has been a relation in what’s right and wrong such a trend is downright unhealthy.

So the officials vested with the necessary powers should be on their guard and act in a prompt and decisive manner. And uphold what’s decent and proper. By taking to task those bringing out such materials without giving a thought to its consequences. Simply speaking its trash and not worth the price quoted.

These damage the sensitivity of a reader who may give in to a pleasure that is fleeting and ephermeral. Each and every citizen is duty bound to resist the temptation and the impulse in buying one. And the rest of the problem will resolve by itself.

These smutty books can make for loose morals and a degeneration of scruples. So one should be on the alert against purchasing and reading such filth. And advise others not to do so in the hope that these will disappear from the scene once and for all.