Preserving Kathmandu
From Ugly Human Intervention

By Khilendra Basnyat

KATHMANDU has been Nepal's capital for centuries. Actually, the central level administration, judiciary, legislature and the development activities have been centred in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is not only the capital but also the centre of Nepal where the Nepalese from every district come. The people coming from distant places and districts would address Kathmandu as Nepal. Still some people use to call Kathmandu as Nepal. The reason would have been mainly because Kathmandu has almost everything a country has to offer. Even in these days Kathmandu is a melting pot where communities of different groups intermingle.

Attraction

In fact, Kathmandu was attractive even more than a century ago. For this reason, the people from all parts of this country would visit Kathmandu to relish its beauty. If one looks at the temples, shrines and monuments of Kathmandu, it seems that an individual may have constructed them. However, a lot of community participation and offerings have contributed to make them attractive as one sees them. These temples, shrines and monuments are undoubtedly the assets created by the communities themselves.

Unlike in other parts of the world, such pieces of excellence are not credited to an individual. They were built in concert. Therefore, the communities at large are to be credited for them. It was not only the Shah dynasty and the Ranas who were tempted by Kathmandu, but there were other dynasties such as the Lichhavis and the Kirats who also ruled here for a long time. Despite the fact that the process of beautification of Kathmandu was initiated by Lichhavi dynasty in the medieval period, it reached the height of excellence during the Malla period.

No doubt, the water spouts, highly refined bronze and wooden sculptures, high skilled carved windows and superb temples and shrines are the gifts and rich legacy left behind by the Malla dynasty in Kathmandu.

In the past, many people used to visit Kathmandu which has gained prominence in art and architecture even in recent times. Whoever visited Kathmandu, they would either attempt to revisit it or would leave behind them inscriptions and scriptures relating to its magnificence. In by gone days, religious inns and open shelters were constructed within the proximity of famous temples to provide free shelters to the pilgrims. In those days, trusts were set up to build, repair and maintain the temples and shrines.

Although the trusts differed in nature, size and functions, the main objective was to render services to the community. The trusts were knitted into family type enterprises where the services were confined to the members of the tourists with the intention of delivering facilities and shelters to the travelers and pilgrims in general.

Building shelters and rest houses in by-gone days was considered auspicious. Most people after having adequate income and noblemen would consider to be their obligations in their life to construct something for the future generation. For this reason, one usually finds temples and shrines being built by someone and others providing ornaments and décor, etc. to the temples and shrines. It has been customary to keep on adding ornaments and offering in different forms to the temples and shrines, which would not only be sustained but would be properly maintained in those days.

Today, Kathmandu is polluted.The waterways have been made dirty with vehicular emission, cooking fire smoke and industrial emission apart from the landscape blighted by hideous architecture. Although there are laws to reduce such problems, they have not been implemented well. Access to safe piped water supply for drinking has become a problem in Kathmandu. Even the chlorinated water contaminated with putrid materials has become unsafe due to the mixing of sewerage and leaks in water pipes.

Since the past few years, problems have arisen in Kathmandu from urbanisation, resulting in the loss of agricultural land, verdure space, pollution, congestion and rising costs for urban management and services. The road traffic in Kathmandu is suffering from congestion due to population growth, haphazard urbanisation, increase in vehicles and inadequate infrastructure to handle them. Due to these factors, traffic conditions in the city are deteriorating, and traffic congestion occurs especially at traffic intersections and nearby areas. Generally, problems at such intersections and nearby areas include traffic congestion, increasing traffic accidents and adequate quantity of exhausts by the vehicles while waiting for green signal.

To reduce mounting problems in Kathmandu, the concerned authorities should maintain coordination among themselves in a more planned manner. In general, those that needs to keep up such coordination are the Home Ministry, Department of Roads, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Telecommunication Corporation, etc. While installing and delivering some sort of services, it would be cost effective.

In recent years, some temples and shrines of Kathmandu are on the verge of ruin. Once the integral part of the cultural life of the locals, lost idols, sagging roofs and plants growing on rooftops are common sights. Instead of worshipping and praying, people have been using temples and shrines to keep shops and restaurants and even permanent shelters. Kathmandu's cultural heritage runs as a powerful force through every aspects of daily life. However, destructive processes both from within and outside the society are influencing the values and social structures, which have developed and supported this heritage.

Despite some work for the preservation of historic monuments of Hanumandhoka and Swayambhunath area, substantial efforts have not been integrated to the planning of Kathmandu. Since they are mainly donors- driven, in the long-term, this may provide unsustainable. It is because they have geared towards their own resources for maintenance and preservation.

Kathmandu has been many changes since the people's movement of 1990. From the spreading metalloid roads to radical market penetration, there has been an influx of people from different parts of the country. Moreover, Kathmandu has witnessed the advent of satellite television and the experiments with democratic living. Also, Kathmandu is seeing the effect of rapid erosion of traditions and customs, which paradixcally undermines its capacity to absorb changes.

Identity

Some important heritages of Kathmandu have already disappeared and others are under threat. Timeless heritage are gradually losing their identity because of the ugly human intervention. Actually, without the implementation of a well-organised programme of preservation, much of the heritage of Kathmandu is likely to disappear in future. Therefore, it is essential to give adequate thought to preserve Kathmandu from ugly human intervention.

Crises Management In Tourism

By Shirish B. Pradhan

THE world tourism industry has been suffering a big loss since the worst terrorist attack in New York, USA on September 11, 2001. The level of confidence has also declined among international visitors in the wake of worsening security situation worldwide. The recent US led strikes on Iraq has hit the already suffering tourism industry.

Concern

Now the main concern for governments and tour operators of South Asia region is how to raise the level of confidence among the travellers so that tourism industry could be rescued from the present crises. To deal with this crises the nations of the region should work together to develop common packages as well as pursue joint marketing strategy. If despite spread of violence and terror, tourism can survive in Colombo, Kashmir and Jerusalem, why not in other parts of the world? We must learn lessons from other parts of the globe where tourism flourished despite ongoing conflicts and adverse situation.

In-depth discussions were held regarding ways to revive tourism industry facing the worst catastrophe in its history during the recently concluded World Tourism Organisation regional meet on crisis management in Kathmandu. A need has been felt to forge understanding and cooperation among nations of the region with a view to sharing common benefits of tourism. The meeting also provided forum for the tourism entrepreneurs and planners of the region to share their experiences and knowledge on travel and tourism, which is emerging as one of the biggest industry in the world. During the deliberations the participants took stock of the overall impact of tourism industry due to growing security concern worldwide as a result of the recent developments.

The meeting also served as a forum to share and identify problems of common concern and suggest concrete measures for implementation. South Asia region is endowed with rich biodiversity as well as diverse cultural heritage. Despite its huge tourism potentials South Asia has not yet received much benefit from tourism industry. South Asia, where one fifth of humanity resides receives only 1 per cent of total international visitors. Thus, countries of this sub-region should work together to explore its huge tourism potentials by developing joint packages and pursuing common marketing strategies. If the region can develop its untapped tourism potentials it could uplift the living standard of its 40 per cent people who still live below the poverty line.

Tourism destinations usually transcend national boundaries, which necessitates promoting tourism region-wise rather than nation-wise. Tourists visiting this region usually visit more than one country at a time. Thus, cooperation among the South Asian nations in tourism promotion is essential for speedy growth of the industry.

Tourism industry is the backbone of Nepalese economy. Tourism has been a major source of foreign exchange earnings for Nepal. Though international visitors started pouring in Nepal ever since the first human ascent of the Mt. Everest in 1953 but tourism industry has evolved in an organized manner only in the early seventies in Nepal. Now tourism contributes $140 million to the Nepalese economy. Still its share in GDP is only 2.9 per cent. Nepal attracted nearly half a million visitors during the Visit Nepal Year 1998, but its tourist arrivals have declined sharply since then.

Now after the announcement of cease-fire by the Maoists Nepal's tourism industry has again started showing some improvements. Tourist arrivals have increased slowly but steadily in the first three months of the year 2003. However, the recent war launched by the US led forces in Iraq may hamper the recent trend shown by improvements in national security situation. However, there is still the possibility of recovering Nepalese tourism if we cooperate with other South Asian countries for the common benefit. The Destination Nepal Campaign 2002-03 and the Mt. Everest Golden Jubilee Celebrations in May this year will surely give a boost to the ailing tourism industry of the country.
Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has remarked that governments and tourism organisations of this region must be proactive in anticipating and identifying possible crises which can affect the tourism industry and devise mechanism to mitigate the negative impacts to re-establish confidence of tourists. Addressing the regional tourism meet in Kathmandu he said that the world tourism industry is once again faced with potential crisis, just when we thought it was beginning to pull out of one of the major crises in its history adding tourism industry has proved its resilience in the past and I am sure it will again pick up its momentum.

Tourism is a very fragile industry susceptible to all kinds of crises, including economic and of security, observed Dr. Dawid J. De Villiers, deputy secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation. He however admitted that tourism is also a very adaptable and resilient industry and many nations across the world have demonstrated that the efficient and time-bound management of crises in tourism can be useful in not only streamlining a tourism industry but also allowing it to grow to new heights.
The World Tourism Organisation has already initiated the process of transforming itself into a UN agency. In August 2002, for the first time WTO succeeded in including tourism in the Agenda and Plan of Implementation of the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa. WTO has also been actively involved in addressing problems related to conflict-hit areas. WTO's Recovery Committee has been involved in terrorist attacks on tourists in Djerba, Mombassa and Bali in the recent times.

Confidence

The confidence has declined among the tourists worldwide due to the worsening security situations. Thus, it has become necessary to raise the confidence of tourists and minimise the impact of conflicts to the tourist destinations by applying effective crisis management devices.

Children Of The Monsoon

By Manori Wijesekera

GROCERY list 2032: Organic fruits, bottled water, oxygen cylinders... This is not a warning from the environment or pollution department but footnotes from a report written with inputs from youngsters who care about their planet. Children of the Monsoon, the youth version of the South Asia State of the Environment (SoE) report, published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and launched in Colombo recently, is a brave attempt to look at environment issues with a fresh perspective.

Creatively developed, Children of the Monsoon captures life in the cities and villages of South Asia through the eyes of seven imaginary young trekkers - Dorji (Bhutan), Afzal (Bangladesh), Sidhant (India), Sadia (Maldives), Vikram (Nepal), Sunethra (Sri Lanka) and Nasir (Pakistan). In the book, the seven travel up to Thyangboche Monastery in the Khumbhu region of Nepal to meet monk Darwu who believes in striking a balance between nature and everyday life.

They book explores the main environmental issues that confront developing nations: air pollution (covered in the chapter, Breath of Death); freshwater issues (Mission H2O); decreasing land for housing and agriculture (Ground Realities); the rich biodiversity of the region and its conservation (Colours of Life); urbanisation (A Trail of Too Many Cities); threat to rural communities (Will Villages Survive?); Natural Disasters (Revenge of Mother Earth); and the environmental values ingrained in South Asian culture (Sanskriti). The final chapter, Vision 2032, shows young people a bleak picture of what life could be if they do not take action now.

Complex environmental issues are explained in simple, non-jargon language, and are accompanied by cartoons, paintings and sketches by young people from the region. Sometimes witty ("I make-up after a quarrel in 10 minutes, but coral takes longer... a lifetime") but always thought-provoking, Children of the Monsoon raises questions which most other environmental publications gloss over or ignore. The young creators of Children of the Monsoon had a dual purpose - to offer an educational tool to schools and colleges and influence government and policymakers. "All of us would ideally love to see this book introduced in schools. This is a book created by young people for young people. It speaks our language and has our perspectives," says Devaka Seneviratne of Sri Lanka, one of the participants of the editorial workshop organised by UNEP. "There is a vacuum in schools when it comes to environmental education. Children of the Monsoon could easily fill this vacuum and make the subject a fun experience along the way," says Seneviratne.

The report also raises issues everyone knows about but rarely address. "We want to go beyond discussions and negotiations to real action, and I think that is very clear in the book," says Seneviratne.

Despite the warnings, the report promises hope for the future. Each chapter ends with a "Youth Action" section giving young people clear solutions to issues discussed in the chapter. These range from simple lifestyle changes to activities they can do with their peers, communities or even on a national scale. The strong message here is that one young person can begin to make a difference.
"Children of the Monsoon evolved through a series of workshops with a select group of young people from South Asia and also through feedback and discussions on the web," says Gunjan Doogar, one of the lead authors. "In addition to being the youth perspective on the State of the Environment of South Asia, Children of the Monsoon is also a South Asian environment primer for young people and a gateway to express what they 'feel' and 'desire' for the world."

Working together with UNEP's Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, the South Asian Youth Environment Network (SAYEN), and facilitated by Development Alternatives, India, the
young people involved in the process were able to voice their opinions in their own way. "They have said what adults dare not say. They were willing to listen to each other and to learn from others and themselves. They gave sometimes inspiring, sometimes frightening views, case studies, articles, poems and drawings which tell the story of their environment," declares Doogar.
Women's Feature Service