National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

SEF
Project Green

After planting trees at the main streets in the capital, the Save the Environment Foundation (SEF) moves to the outskirts of the valley

By A CORRESPONDENT

Known for its ancient temples and culture, Kathmandu valley is gradually turning into a city of human settlements and concrete jungle. Due to the population pressure, nature and congestion, the valley has to bear all the burdens resulting in the degradation of environment.

As the number of population is growing in the valley, more green space is needed to provide enough oxygen to breath. Unfortunately, instead of increasing green areas, large number of green fields are being destroyed to give way to concrete structures.

Tree planting : Restoring the green

Although it is a small non-governmental organization, SEF has made tremendous efforts to preserve the deteriorating greenery of the valley. After planting trees in the main streets of the capital and preserving historical statues of Rana prime ministers at Tundikhel, SEF has now moved outside the capital city to extend the greenery.

To mark the 58th birthday of King Gyanendra, SEF planted various kinds of trees of 58 species at the Royal Nepalese Army Academy in Kharipati. The program was inaugurated by Chief of the Royal Nepalese Army General Pyara Jung Thapa. The SEF had launched its program with the motto of Project Green Nepal: From Confrontation to Co-existence with Nature for Future Generation. Among others, General Thapa planted Californian Red Wood Plant.

“Our aim is to turn Kharipati as an arboretum. We have already planted various plants from 58 different species,” said Chanda Rana, president of SEF. Rana recently received Gorkha Dakshinbahu award for her social work.

At a time when the air pollution in the valley is worsening, the plant like Californian Red Wood – which has the capacity to absorb large amount of carbons – will play important role.

The SEF planted trees like bottle brush, Nepalese butter fruit, neem, meiden hair, cinnamon leaf, Indian gooseberry, Guava, Fodder tree, Cinnamon, Royal Poinciana, Teak, Himalayan cedar, Himalayan Cherry, Himalayan Ash, Nepali hog-plum, Chire Pine, Yellow sandalwood, Lemon, mulberry, persimmon, mountain ebony, banyan tree, be tree, silky oak, China berry, golden fig, walnut, bottle brush and others.

The tree species include hard wood, soft wood, fast growing as well as slow growing. “We have chosen diverse species of trees to maintain the greenery all the time,” said Rana.

Along with the Californian Red Wood, the world famous plants like Ginkgo Biloba were also planted at the arboretum. “One of our aims is to turn the areas as a place with the varieties of plants. After growing up the plants, arboretum will help army cadets, visitors and others to understand the importance of tree species,” said Rana.

In the last ten years, the foundation has already planted different kinds of trees along the avenues leading up to Singha Durbar, Airport and other parts of the city. The foundation is also managing a small garden in front of Birendra International Convention Center.

From hospital’s waste management to preservation of historical Rana statues, the SEF has been working to protect the environment of the valley encouraging different communities. Thanks to the efforts of the SEF, the historically valuable statues of Rana prime minister including Jung Bahadur Rana are now preserved.

When most of the NGOs are relying on donor countries for the fund, the SEF has shown the way that local resources can be mobilized to initiate small initiatives like the protection and promotion of local environment.