Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Formulate Policies

Community Forestry is one of the very few things that Nepal has succeeded in "COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Challenges of Benefit-Sharing (SPOTLIGHT November 26)". The project has been taken as exemplary worldwide and that it is one of the successes of decentralization. It has also taught the public about conservation. By and large community forestry is something that Nepalese can be proud of. However, it is sad to hear that there have been disputes over the benefit sharing in the community forestry. It is not very pleasant that little disputes disrupt the success achieved as a result of so many years of perseverance and patience. So, the concerned agencies ought to come to a common point and formulate some policies to address the challenges faced in benefit sharing.

Reena Dahal
Teku

Replicate The Success

Although there might be some problems now and then, there is no doubt that community forestry is one of the success stories of Nepal's development "COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Challenges of Benefit-Sharing (SPOTLIGHT November 26)." Because of the policy of handing over responsibility of the forests to the communities who use it, the deforestation has been largely controlled. Many hills that had been rendered naked because of persistent deforestation have been reforested and the community is benefiting from that. This is also an example to show how decentralization can help develop the country when implemented properly. Similar programs to decentralize authority and mobilize the community in national development should be implemented in other sectors as well.

Sarita Nepal
Balaju

Challenge? …. Ridiculous

Apropos your cover story on community forestry I would like to put my point of view on the ownership of the forests "COMMUNITY FORESTRY: Challenges of Benefit-Sharing (SPOTLIGHT November 26)." Government is just another more formal organization of community, and community is just another informal and smaller government. Whatever natural resources are around the world should belong to the community around them. The properties of various small communities also belong to the government, not for the sake of ownership, but for the proper regulation of such resources. In that I see no reason why there should be a dispute between the government and the communities about the ownership and benefit taking from the community. After all everything that belongs to the government is also for the welfare of the community. Whether the community takes the benefit directly or indirectly, the benefit of the forests does go to the community finally. It is ridiculous that they should entangle in such disputes instead of formulating policies in mutual understanding.

Keshar Hamal
Maharajgunj

Constitution Cannot Be Culprit

I liked the commentary about the ongoing issue of constitution "OPINION: Is Constitution the Culprit? (SPOTLIGHT November 26)." I opine that those people who blame the constitution for the present impasse' are total morons. After all everyone on earth would agree to the fact that written documents can be interpreted in various ways, no matter how precisely it is phrased. Whether it results in good or bad situation depends on the people who use it. When the people who work with the constitution are not honest, any constitution is bound to fail. We can look back to the history. Our ancestors neither had a constitution nor any hard and fast written statute. They did not have as many problems as we have today. It is because they were honest players. Similarly, if we had honest people working with the constitution there would have been no impasse. Certainly. the constitutions cannot be held responsible for the failures and successes in the country.

Bidhan Lama
Jawalakhel

Encourage Mass Production

It is good to hear that Nepali tea is slowly being recognized in the global market "NEPALI TEA: Hitting The Global Market (SPOTLIGHT November 26)." Now that Nepal has entered the global market, Nepali products need to compete with other products in price and quality. We should now focus on mass production of tea, so that the per unit cost of production decreases and we can compete better in the international market.

Shital Shrestha
Chabahil

Appeal to Journalists

Why is there no proper journalism in Nepal? The newspapers are fond of being provocative, affiliated to some political parties and enjoy criticizing and defaming individuals. It seems the newspapers in Nepal are meant for debate between and within the parties. Most of newspapers want to promote the Maoist activities by publishing provocative news items. For example, different newspapers are reporting the news about "Peace talks" in different ways. It seems the journalists, lawyers and the human right activists all are after money for livelihood and evening entertainment. But they should understand that they should not be making money deceiving the welfare of the public. Please ask your inner self whether you would really be happy that way? Take in mind that you do not always need a gun to kill people; the pen and speech are often more powerful than weapons to destroy a mass. Please do not kill innocent Nepalese people for the sake of money. This is my request on behalf of the general people to all Human Right Activists, Journalists and lawyers. I am confident that, collectively, you have the power to control the armed forces, if you are sincere, dedicated and if you love the people.

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