'Terai Arc Landscope' discussed

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Lalitpur, April 23: A concept of linking different national parks and protected areas in southern Nepal and northern India – thus forming what has been named Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) – was discussed at a consultative meeting here today.

Policy-makers, conservationists, bureaucrats, local politicians, and other stakeholders participated in the meeting that floored the idea of the project and drew suggestions from the participants.

Dubbed as an ambitious project, TAL envisions a vast conservation landscape that extends from the Yamuna River in the west in India to the Bagmati River in the east in the country. The landscape covers a 30,000 square kilometres network of protected areas and forest corridors stretching along the Nepal/India border.

Consultative meeting

The proposed landscape would stretch from the Royal Chitwan National Park and the Parsa Wildlife Reserve to India’s Rajaji Corbett Park. According to World Wildlife Fund’s concept paper, with the landscape, the existing 11 protected areas, some of which are world renowned, will represent core areas to meet the biological needs of some of Asia’s largest endangered species as well as ecological and economic needs of the local people.

"Outside of these protected areas, conservation friendly land-uses such as community forests will provide sustainable natural resources and economic benefits to the local people while simultaneously connecting core areas to allow wildlife population dispersal and the encouragement of biologically viable populations."

"The project will do vital ecological services," said Eric Dinerstein, Chief Scientist of Conservation Science Program. "There would be benefits like prevention from floods, irrigation, natural resources management, among others."

Having mentioned that the programme would enable the conservation of flagship species including tiger, rhino and elephant, Eric said that there should have been around 500 breeding tigers in the proposed landscape area to be recorded as a healthy ecology. "But, the number of tiger right now is not to the mark."

Uday Raj Sharma, Joint Secretary at Ministry of Forests, and Soil Conservation, said that one needs to go out of the national park s to solve its inside problem. He said that the country already has programmes like buffer zones, community forestry, among others, that could make TAL project a success. "All we need to do is put things together and also a legislation."

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung, Country Representative of WWF, Nepal Programme, said that the TAL Project has to do with conservation and dealing with population and poverty. He said that the first phase of the programme would cost around US$ six million. "The timeline for the project is somewhere between five and ten years. But it would take several decades for the project to achieve its final goals."

Pralad Yonzon, Director of Resource Himalaya, said that his team had explored the Churia hills for the proposed TAL project and had found that animals like tigers go as high as 60 meters in the hills and elephants climb the height of 800 metres. "Very soon we will be coming up with the strategy of the project."

Judges told to set example for justice

Kathmandu, Apr. 23 (RSS): The Judicial Council Secretariat has for the first time started a training on "judicial discipline and code of conduct for judges" for the newly-appointed district judges here today.

Fifteen district judges are taking part in the two week training.

Inaugurating the training, Chief Justice and chairman of the Council Keshav Prasad Upadhayaya expressed the belief that such training would help build up the capacity among judges in their ability of fulfilling the people's faith in judiciary as per the aspirations of the people.

Calling upon the judges to be more studious, he asked them to set an example in the consolidation of the judiciary.

From the chair, Supreme Court Justice and member of the Council Laxman Prasad Aryal said it is hard to be a conscientious judge without having some degree of inherent capability.

Training for judges

The dignity of a judge is not only related to one's post. it is based on one's mental faculty, the depth of study, lifestyle and behaviour, he added.

Another Supreme Court Justice and Council member Kedarnath Upadhyaya said since the district court is the pedestal of the judiciary, the people should be able to get the first taste of justice from the district courts.

Council secretary Kashi Raj Dahal, while shedding light on the objectives of the training, said that the judges should be able to maintain the dignity of their post by means of objectivity, independence and professional forthrightness.

He said in course of the training the judges would be familiarised about judicial discipline and adoption of the code of conduct while dispensing justice.

Justice should be cheap and easily accessible and the judges should be expensive or in other words they should maintain their dignity, he said, calling on the judges to maintain self-respect of their profession as they are being constantly evaluated by the people.

Council member Hiranyeshwar Man Pradhan, Supreme Court Registrar Sri Prasad Pandit and president of Nepal Bar Association Sindhunath Pyakurel also expressed their views at the inaugural function of the training.

The Chief Justice, judges, council members, the secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, advocates and other legal experts will provide training to the participants on topics such as court management, latest theories and paradigms on judiciary and jurisprudence, the art of drafting court verdicts and orders, management of the court proceedings, judicial discipline and code of conduct and custodial orders, etc.

EC to hold consultation on fixing polling booths

Kathmandu, Apr. 23 (RSS): The Election Commission is making preparations for setting up a single polling centre as per the convenience of the voters for the elections of the parliament members and local bodies as it is not deemed proper to set up separate polling booths for the same purpose which had been the practice so far.

At a meet-the-press programme organised today by the Election Commission, spokesman Purushottam Sapkota said that the Election Commission was consdering the geographical proximity, the number of voters, availability of transportation and communication facilities and other such factors while determining the polling booths.

Providing information regarding the review of the polling centres, spokesman Sapkota said that the Election Commission would hold consultations with the top leadership of the political parties represented in the parliament and other recognised parties and the distinct personalities of the civic society and fix the polling booths as per the recommendations given by them to ensure that the review of the polling booths is objective and non-controversial.

According to information given at the press meet, suggestions such as location of polling booth one kilometre inside the international border, a polling centre to be at a gap of five kilometres in the hilly region, not setting up polling centres on private land or at private residences, and fixing a polling centre at any ward or VDC or municipality with a population of 1,500 were forwarded during the discussions.

Kavre power project 1022 households benefit

Kavrepalanchowk, Apr. 23 (RSS): The small hydro-electricity project launched by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under the Rural Energy Development Programme has provided electricity services to 1,022 households of Kavrepalanchowk district by generating 133 kilowatts of electiricity in the past four to five years.

This information was provided at a gathering of the Dhulikhel Small Hydro-Electricity Users' Groups organised by the Kavre district development committee and Simarek, a non-governmental organisation with the objective of formulating a strategy for running the project here yesterday.

According to a working paper presented by DDC member Lekh Raj Poudel, the local users' groups will be activated in generating 271 kilowatts of electricity by conducting feasibility study on 31 rivulets including Ladku, Chou and Pokhara rivulets.

Extensive discussions were held on matters relating to organisational development of the users' group, mobilisation of capital, skill development, technology promotion, women empowerment and environment management as the success of the small hydro-electricity project depends on these factors.

On the occasion the heads of the cootage, cooperative and district administration had provided information relating to registration of the institution as well as laws and regulations concerning hydro-electricity projects.

Small hydro-electricity projects have been launched by the UNDP under the Rural Energy Development Programme in 70 village development committees of 15 districts since 1996.

A nine member district small hydro-electricity coordination committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Padma Dulal.

At present 1150 household are enjoying electricity from small hydro-electricity projects and 19,249 household from the national electricity grid while 42,580 household depends on kerosene lamps in Kavre district.

Crown Prince visits Japan from tomorrow

Kathmandu, Apr. 23 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev will pay an official visit to Japan from 25th April to 2nd May 2001 at the invitation of the Government of Japan.

EM route to Japan, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will leave Kathmandu for Hong Kong on 24th April, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be accompanied by Surendra Prasad Chaudhary, Minister for Science and Technology.

Upon arrival at Narita International Airport in Tokyo on 25th April, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be accorded a warm welcome by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Mr Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Royal Nepalese ambassador to Japan.

On 28th April, Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress will receive in audience His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at the Imperial Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also attend a luncheon hosted by Their Imperial Majesties.

On 26th April, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito will host a dinner in honour of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also visit the diet the same day.

On 27th April, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will grace a luncheon hosted in his honour by the Japan-Nepal Parliamentary Association. later in the evening Mr Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Royal Nepalese ambassador to Japan, will host a reception in honour of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will visit Kyoto on 29th April and Kobe on 1st May.

While in Japan, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will visit Disaster Management Centres in Tokyo and Kobe.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also visit the Toshiba Science Institute in Tokyo and some places on cultural and historical importance in Kyoto. He will receive in audience the governor of Hyogo Prefecture in Kobe.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will leave Japan on 2nd May for Bangkok and will arrive home on 3rd May.

20-year road network project to be implemented

Lalitpur, Apr. 23 (RSS): His Majesty's Government is to implement a 20-year road programme from the beginning of the 10th plan.

This was disclosed at a discussion programme organised by the Department of Roads here today with the aim of discussing a draft of the 20-year road programme.

The project aims to prepare a 20-year road network programme, build roads and bridges, carry out restoration, improvement and reconstruction work and establish road links with areas which are important from the administrative, religious, cultural, trade, industrial and tourism viewpoints.

Tenth Plan

To meet these objectives, His Majesty's Government will identify the need of a road network, review the present road development policy, build bypass roads and ring roads to ease road pressure in major cities of the country and identify the means and resources required for the purpose.

Nepal Engineering Consultancy Service Centre has prepared the 20-year road programme. during this period, 4,200 kilometres of road will be constructed.

The estimated cost of the road construction has been put at some Rs 8,000 million. Construction of one km of road in the hill areas costs an average of Rs 5.24 million, whereas the cost is Rs 3.33 million in the Terai region, it is stated in the draft.

The total length of roads in Nepal at present is 15,308 km and there are 10,038 bigger bridges. Out of the total road network, 4,522 km is blacktopped, 3,646 km graveled and 7,140 km is fair weather.

Inaugurating the programme, Minister of State for Works and Physical Planning Suresh Malla directed planners and technicians to take into account the environment, the economic development of the country and its geological situation.

Mr Malla also spoke of the need to work out plans keeping in mind the needs of the people.

Member of the National Planning Commission Dr Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel said that His Majesty's Government has pursued a policy of ensuring maximum participation of indigenous and foreigner investors in building infrastructures.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Development Committee Tanka Rai, Director General of the Department of Roads Ananda Khanal and others also spoke at the function.

Construction of a suspension bridge over the Marshyangdi River, a multi-purpose suspension bridge over the Mahakali River and the present state of major bridges in Nepal were also discussed on the occasion.

The estimated cost of a bridge over the Marshyangdi River is Rs 20 million.

Agreement on conservation

Pokhara, Apr. 23 (RSS): Given the progress of the "in situ crop conservation project" which has been in operation in the districts of Jumla, Kaski and Bara for the last three and half years, it would be a great achievement for the country if bio-diversity were to be conserved and promoted by helping farmers.

The project primarily aims at stopping local species from disappearing, providing maximum benefit to farmers and identifying scientific ways for conservation of bio-diversity.

The Local Initiatives for Bio-Diversity Research and Development (LI-BIRD), an NGO established five years ago at the initiative of agro-scientists, specialists and technicians, has been conducting the project.

An agreement was signed between the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPIR) and LI-BIRD with a view to advancing the project through joint efforts in a result-oriented manner.

Speaking on the occasion, NARC executive director D. Joshi said that since NARC manpower alone is not enough for carrying out research work in every field of agriculture, an agreement has been reached with LI-BIRD for the first time in Nepal with the objective of carrying out work jointly.

NARC's planning and coordination director Bhola Pradhan, Dr Bhuwan Ratna Sthapit, Dr MP Upadhyaya, Dr KB Joshi, Pratap Shrestha and Dr RB Rana, LI-BIRD executive director Dr Anil Subedi and others also spoke at the function chaired by IPIR global project director Devra Jarvis.

IPIR has been contributing to the crop conservation project in different countries of the world.

Qustions lifted word by word from Guide Book

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, April 23: When students of several schools came out of their examination hall today after taking the examination of computer science and found that the questions were lifted word by word and problem by problem from a guide book, they were shocked and amazed. Even the principals of the schools were baffled when their students pointed out after the examination that the questions were simply lifted from a guide book written by a school teacher and many of them could not answer the questions.

The intriguing aspect of this episode is that the guide book was written by a computer teacher R.C. Khanal, who is the chief of the computer science department of Adarsha Vidya Mandir of Manbhawan and also teaches Little Angeles’ School at Hattiban. Khanal, is also said to have set the questions for the subject and is also the moderator, meaning he has the final say on the questions of the subject, at the Office Controller of Examination.

Although the Office of the Controller of Examination has cancelled the examination of today and rescheduled it after two week, it has raised serious questions about the purity and validity of the S.L.C. examinations.

SLC Exams

Controller at the Office of Controller of Examination, Dr. Sahadev Bhatta said there is a possibility that the one who has set the question has himself written the guide book. He said this case has effected snapped the confidence between the teacher and the Office of the Examination. "The Controller’s Office will be much more cautious and vigilant from now on," said Dr. Bhatta. He said today’s examination has been cancelled and the examination of the subject will be held on May 8 with a new set of questions.

He also said an investigation would be started from tomorrow.

However, the episode has undermined the trust of the schools, parents and students on the examination.

"This proves the allegations of manipulation at the S.L.C. examination," said Raj Kumar Thakuri, Principal of Bhanubhakta Memorial English School at Panipokhari.

This is totally against the norms that the person/s involved in examination should not bring out guess papers and guide-books, Thakuri said and added we will raise this issue at PABSON, one of the two association of the private and boarding schools, will also unite with the parents and students to pursue this case seriously, Thakuri said.

What is also interesting was that the guidebook, SLC Model Test Papers with Answers on the subject, published by Ekta Books, had come out just in March, barely one month before the SLC examinations.

Satya Narayan Mahato of the Laboratory School, Kirtipur, said it is a serious breach of trust on the part of Khanal not to fulfill the responsibility entrusted by the Ministry of Education.

Going against the sanctity of examination just to benefit one’s own students only is a serious dishonesty and anybody involved in such a crime must be punished severely.

Yet another principal Ratna Bahadur Bajracharya of Anandakuti Vidhyapith said it is a clear indication that the person who was entrusted with the responsibility of setting questions has not fulfilled his duty. This is a lesson that only those with proven honesty and integrity should be given an important responsibility like setting questions for S.L.C. examination, Bajracharya said.

Another principal, Geeta Rana of Galaxy Public School, it could be only a rare coincidence that fault was found this time. Such faults may have been happening in the past also.

She even said that Khanal had set questions in the past also. This time, Ms. Rana said, the level of questions were much higher, meaning only his students may have been able to solve them.

Suprabhat Bhandari, Chairman of the Parents’/Guardians’ Association of Nepal said it is a criminal offense on the part of the person who sets the questions and also sells them. Such a person must be punished severely. This is an indication that ‘mafia’ has also entered the academic sector, he said.

Meanwhile, the principals of the Adarsha Vidya Mandir and Little Angeles’ could not be contacted. When The Rising Nepal tried to contact Umesh Shrestha, Principal of Little Angeles’ School on his mobile, his mobile was either out of order or was switched off.