Do Not Be Confused

AT a time when some top politicians and human right activists are giving emphasis on the dialogues with the Maoist terrorists to end the seven-year-old insurgency initiated by the latter, the security forces have appealed the Nepalese people to remain alert and not to get confused with the rumours of talks. The appeal of the security forces came following Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Friday speech in which he strongly refused to holding talks with the Maoist terrorists. The security forces have fully supported the government’s stand against the talks with the terrorists until they surrender their weapons. The appeal clearly speaks the high morale of the security forces in combating terrorists and restoring normalcy in the country. The latest achievement of the security forces in the jungles of western districts of Rolpa and Pyuthan apparently indicates that they are very close to their target of freeing the country from the clutches of terrorist activities by disarming them. Indeed, the latest violent activities of the Maoists terrorists were more criminal than political. Destruction of the development infrastructures, burning of the Village Development Committees (VDC) offices and post offices can never be excused.

In fact, Maoist terrorists used the talks as a part of the plot. There are evidences to support this. With much flexibility and liberalism the government had sat for peace talks with the Maoists last year but that went in a vain. Instead, the talks resulted to be counter-productive for the government. The Maoist terrorists took an undue advantage of the open-mindedness of the government and spoiled the atmosphere of talks. They, all of a sudden, launched violent attacks at the police posts and army barracks. It is now well understood that the terrorists had used the peace talks as a plot to strengthen their position. The government had no option rather than to declare the State of Emergency and deploy Royal Nepal Army to disarm the terrorists. Now when the security personnel are getting victory over the Maoist terrorists, the Maoists are reportedly lobbying for talks. The overall activities of the Maoist clearly show that they are simply terrorists, as declared by the government, and that their sole objective is to create terror within the minds of peace loving Nepalese and destroy the country. It would thus be a great mistake to even think that the Maoists this time would come to the table to negotiate peace. There is no point in sitting for talks with the terrorists when they had already deceived the government and when they are continuing to kill the innocent people, destroying the development pillars and pushing the country back.

Central Zoo’s Attraction

THE Central Zoo, is soon introducing two African hippopotamuses and four ostrich chicks as its latest treat to the visitors. The latest additions are part of the Animal Exchange Programme between Nepal and Thailand. Nepal, as per the programme, will be sending two pairs of Danfe (Lophoporus impeyan) next winter to the Thai government zoo. The Central Zoo’s latest family members, especially the baby hippos, are bound to attract a huge number of Nepalese visitors since these animals are indeed a great rarity for them. Not that the Nepalese have not seen hippos. They indeed have—but only in pictures and films. Now that the baby hippos are going to become additional members of the Central Zoo, the visitors from home would be getting a much-needed chance to see them in flesh and hide. And, in the bargain, to click away their cameras till their hands and fingers get tired or sore. But then, not all zoos do get a chance to rear and exhibit hippos in their enclosures. In this regard, the Central Zoo can be considered to be fortunate. Nevertheless, these latest additions have also increased the Central Zoo authorities’ burden, the foremost being to ensure these baby hippos’ continued survival. Especially since these animals, being the denizens of tropical habitats, love to not only wallow but even doze off in warm waters. The muddier, the better. Moreover, hippos, in keeping with their gigantic sizes, are also known for their gargantuan appetites which consist largely of freshwater weeds that grow abundantly at the bottom of tropical rivers. Undoubtedly, the Central Zoo authorities must have already done their homework to keep these hippos not only hale and hearty but also happy in their new habitats and environment. For, after all, the Central Zoo is no more that zoo of the early ’80s. During that period, it was more noted for its scrawny inmates which, in turn, were housed in dirty, stinking and dilapidated enclosures. The phenomenal metamorphosis of the Central Zoo between then and now is itself an eloquent testimony to the fact that the authorities have waken up—albeit belatedly—to the need not only to move along with the modern trends and practices prevalent in other zoos but also to make the zoo self-sufficient and sustainable. In other words, the baby hippos and four ostrich chicks are in safe hands.