Education Is The Key

THE duty of a state is to see that its children receive education which goes on to provide the maximum of benefit in the long run. Herein it must be worth noting that education is an achievement that pays well. The Third World countries are beleagured by this very problem which has hampered with their development process. It all indicates the fact that education can alone provide the panacea for the ills of any country. In this respect our country is no different. Over the years and in the various development plans, education was given top priority but the results have not been satisfactory considering the huge investments made in this sector. The inputs have been based on projections but somewhere along the way there have been deficiences in the implementation aspect. With not even 50 per cent of the people being educated, it is obvious that the development activities have suffered. It is important to note that the developed countries of the present times have built their robust economies by giving the greatest focus on educating its citizens. This, however, does not mean that no attention is given in Nepal to spread the light of education but more concerted efforts have to be made backed by sound plans and programmes together with sufficient funds to set things moving in the right direction.

The planners and the government are fully aware of the great importance of education if the country is to move forward on the path of prosperity. This is what was reflected in the the message given by Minister of State for Education and Sports the other day. That he stressed on further contribution from the concerned quarters and people to make the ongoing literacy campaign successful deserves consideration. It is true that educatiuon provides the foundation for the all round growth of an individual leading all the way to the country reaching the ranks of the advanced nations. It is true that poverty has hampered the spread of education in the country. There are many instances of parents not enrolling their children in schools but make them contribute in some way or the other to supplement family income. Despite primary education being free, the enrolment rate is low. Moreover, the drop-out rate is also alarming. With all the benefits accruing from an individual, there is every need to lay more focus to this aspect. Contributions from the government as well as the society is essential if the efforts at poverty alleviation is to be successful. This is for all to understand and act accordingly.

Butterfly's Intrinsic Worth

IF Nepal is home to 11 out of the total 15 families of butterflies found presently in the world, then the nation, as per a news item carried by this daily the other day, also boasts of 645 butterfly species. What all this shows is that Nepal is not only rich in butterfly species but, when the nation's size is taken into consideration, their sheer number is indeed mind-boggling. This is all the more reason for all, including the concerned authorities, to ensure that Nepal not only continues to remain as the natural habitats of such a wide variety of butterfly species but, through the preservation of their natural habitats, these beautiful butterflies are bequeathed to posterity. However, if we are to go by rapid rate of decimation of the nation's existing forests-which are also these harmless creatures' habitats as well as means of sustenance-what can be surmised is that some of these butterfly species could go the way of the Dodo. As and when this ever happens, then the loss could make a dent in the nation's rich bio-diversity in general and its large variety of butterfly species in particular.

Even though some people might not shed any tears if some endangered butterfly species become extinct, these harmless creatures do play an important role in the continued survival of many plant species, especially the fruit-bearing species. In fact, these butterflies have a symbiotic relation with many flowering and fruit-bearing plant species, all of which ensure their species' survival through the pollination of their flowers. To attract their pollinators-herein, the butterflies-these plant species bear flowers that secrete nectar. While these butterflies search for nectar, their sole source of sustenance, among the flowers, they also pollinate them with pollens stuck to their hairy bodies while foraging for nectar in other flowers, thereby assisting in the plant species' fertilisation and fruit-bearing processes. In other words, if the forests, along with the flowering plant species, were to be decimated, then the large variety of butterfly species, in the absence of nectar-bearing flowers to sustain them, would gradually die out. Conversely, if there are no butterflies to pollinate the flowers of the fruit-bearing plant species, then the latter's extinction is sure and certain. Hence, if this symbiotic relationship between forests and butterflies is to survive, then initiatives for the preservation of both should be forthcoming from all concerned authorities and quarters.