Telecom For Development

TELECOMMUNICATION has played an important role in the development of the world. It has helped not only to establish communication between people in different places, but also contributed in creating awareness and forging better links among them. In a country like Nepal, telecommunication is even more important, considering the lack of adequate transport and the difficult terrain it has been burdened with. Starting from around one thousand lines about five decades back, telecommunication has now become a basic need for most people, specially in the urban areas. His Majesty's Government, recognising the need for this facility to be provided to a maximum number of people, has given high priority to developing this sector. Like mentioned by Minister for Information and Communication Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta while addressing the plenipotentiary conference of the International Telecommunication Union at Marrakesh of Morocco the other day, telecommunication in Nepal too has been recognised as an important factor for economic development. But in spite of all its efforts, it has still been difficult for the government to reach telephone lines to the nooks and corners of the country.

Perhaps realising its inability to provide telecommunication services on its own, His Majesty's Government has already given permit to private entrepreneurs to provide mobile phone services, radio paging and the Internet connections as well. Licenses have also been given to the private sector to operate rural telecommunications and Wireless Local Loop. Such decisions indicate how much importance the government is giving in providing communication services to the people. Private sector participation should help in not only widening the tele-communication services, but also in providing quality service. Instant information and the ability to communicate to people in all parts of the world, definitely helps in giving a kick start to economic activities. In this regard, it is encouraging to see this sector contributing in developing the economy of the country, as envisaged by the government. It can be hoped, like in all parts of the world, that a better telecommunication service will contribute in the overall development of the country.

Threat To Orchid

THE news that the orchid plant is on the verge of extinction in Dolakha district illustrates what happens with the local species of flora when unrestricted collection goes on. Apparently, the local people are collecting orchid left and right as the market prices being offered for orchid are quite attractive. Since, the local authorities are unwilling or unable to stop the people from amassing this wild plant, there seems to be a real danger that very soon Dolakha could be bereft of orchids and the local flora would lose a valuable part of it, with all the implications such specie loss has on the floral and indeed faunal eco-system. As Dolakha forests are replete with orchids, the local people obviously have their hands full with these plants that fetch them handsome returns in the market. But the ongoing unbridled plucking of orchids is worrying conservationists and botanists who fear that such an unsustainable harvesting of wild orchids would lead the plant to extinction.

Orchid is found abundantly in eastern parts of Nepal. Our of some 36,000 species of orchids found in the world, Nepal boasts of some 350-360 species. It is mostly found in the wild at an altitude of 700-2500 metres. Orchid's value lies in the fact that it is used as essence in various herbal products, perfumes, chocolate and incense. It is a sought-after plant both as a home decorator and a garden plant. Given such value of the plant, it is important that its collection must be regulated-and regulated in such a way that its regenerative capacity is well taken into account. The uncontrolled way in which it is being collected in forest areas in Jiri, Mirgey, Kabre and Tulopatal village development committees in the Dolakha district gives a peek into the prevailing practice, also elsewhere in the country, of plundering the wild flora for short-term gains. This must stop. The concerned central agencies must, together with the local authorities, take steps to halt such rampant collection of orchids and indeed other plants too. Many herbs are also threatened with extinction because of over-harvesting. To be sure, there are many legal provisions that are designed to regulate such collections from the wild. What is needed is for the local authorities to strictly implement them before these floral species vanish forever.