Making of a planned Kathmandu Valley

Razen Manandhar

The fertile green land of Kathmandu valley is turning into a concrete jungle so rapidly that, the planners estimate, after 25 years, Kathmandu Valley’s agricultural land will be at a zero.

The shortage of agricultural land in this legendary valley will not only distort its ecological balance but also destroy its livelihood and will create a huge crisis among the residents, a draft report states.

Is it possible to safeguard this "piece of heaven", this capital city, which has passed the limits of uncontrolled, unscientific and illegal development? One can hardly imagine making a healthy metropolis out of this valley which has called the haphazard construction of houses, urbanisation. Still, the urban planners are hopeful of bringing back a balanced and environment-friendly Valley.

The minister of works and physical planning, the minister of state, director-general, deputy director-generals, mayors, deputy mayors and other urban planners sat together for the umpteenth time two weeks ago to think seriously about finding ways to stop Kathmandu from further deterioration. (The minister Mahanta Thakur, however, left even before the resource person shed light on the objectives of the programme).

The Planning Team of Kathmandu Valley Urban Development Committee has developed the latest Kathmandu Valley Development Plan - 2020. This draft plan aims at reducing the external factors of population growth and assisting the government implement the programmes and projects as per the plan’s targets.

The making of a planned Kathmandu Valley has innumerable challenges. It is not that the government has done nothing in this field. But, the counter current is so strong and is coming en masse that it is beyond the reach of any law, by-laws or regulations. Those were the days when the valley was in the hands of the dwellers who lived to serve it, decorated it, made it even more beautiful. Now, the power of those who encroach, squat and ruin the beauty of the city is on the rise.

The present challenges:

Since it is the main valley, it obviously creates the most opportunities for starting a career and job hunting. So, the inflow of immigrants is natural. In 1950, the population of the valley was around 400,000 but now it is estimated to be over 1.5 million. During the 1981-91 period, out of the total population, 37.5 percent were found to be immigrants. In the same period, the urban population of the valley jumped to 61 percent from an earlier 56 percent.

Despite the present development trends, the Valley has made its identity as a place rich in cultural heritage. It was so inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1979 but the drastic urbanisation has increasingly threatened this age-long heritage. Encroachment onto public and religious lands and turning traditional buildings into concrete matchboxes has been the present tendency. This is the reason why the Valley was proposed to be included in the Heritage in Danger list.

Until 1981, 75 percent of the valley population depended on agriculture whereas in 1991, only one third are found engaged in any agro-profession. This change reflects the changing economic condition of the residents and this needs to be taken into consideration while introducing new plans for the valley. The increasing number of industries are encouraging signs but when we read that 40 percent of the polluting industries like kilns and carpet industries are in the valley, this definitely disheartens the planners. Three industrial estates cover 55 hectares of the valley.

The valley is occupied by a total of 943kms of road on which over a hundred thousand vehicles travel every day. And out of the total, 86 percent are found to be private ones, responsible for the present excessive number of vehicles in the valley — 60 percent of the country’s total vehicles use the Valley’s roads.

The legendary lake valley is in dire need of drinking water. The concerned body distributes only 80-115 million litres daily to meet the demand of 145 million litres. Only two thirds of the population depend on pipeline water and others make their own underground water source. The traditional sources of waterspouts are also drying up.

As a capital, the valley definitely houses the biggest number of institutions to provide different facilities to the citizens. There are over 2500 educational institutions, government and private, working in the valley. In the health sector also, there are 173 institutions with a bed capacity of around 4000. Out of around 300 standard hotels and resorts of the country, 87 percent are located in the valley alone. Despite the attempts and plans to promote decentralization, all the opportunities for a better life is congested in the valley but the actual capacity has never been calculated.

The rising population, industries, vehicles can be blamed for making the valley unsuitable to live in from the pollution point of view. Medium and big industries are responsible for 104 tonnes of dust particles with the smoke they jet out everyday. Lead particles found in the air around Bhotahity, Kalimati, Kingsway, Maharajgunj etc. can be held responsible for the growing cases of respiratory and reproductive illnesses.

Will this long-term plan for the coming two decades be strong enough to combat these challenges? In retrospect, we have already had several plans, which had in general little impact upon the random development in the valley. For the last 30 years, many steps have been taken in this regard: The plans of 1971, 1976, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995 are either not finalised, not ratified, not implemented or not working forcefully enough.

Still, this is perhaps the last ray of hope to make this small valley really a model capital city — that respects both traditional traits and modern developments. The government is presently busy, discussing the draft of this long-term plan. There is hope that it can do something to put an end to the unwanted, abrupt and unsystematic development which makes many desperately wish for another tragic earthquake to level the mushrooming buildings and encroachments that stand against healthy urbanisation.

Unbearable lightness of being

Swaroop Mukerji’s paintings, shown at the Soaltee recently, done in the translucent state of watercolours show an eye for capturing the quick image. The watercolours ranging from landscapes, to temples, old market squares and portraits show a representation of Nepal that is quite normal.

It was back in Oct 1999 during Dashain, that the self taught artist, based in Calcutta, (who has given up his job and calls himself "an almost professional artist" and wants to concentrate full time in this artistic career) came to Kathmandu and put down his strokes onto canvass in a ten day stay. Within that time he painted 25 pictures, sometimes three a day.

Mukerji wanted to put up the exhibition much earlier but the Indian Airlines hijacking and the Hrithik Roshan affair forced him to change his plans. "I wanted somebody to sponsor, which Soaltee did", he says matter of factly. Art he thinks is a wonderful and delicate medium, difficult to master (especially the art of watercolour). He says that not going to art school made his approach to art freer. "I just apply the paints straight onto the canvass without a sketch", he says about the watercolours.

"There are not many water colourists in India", he says, adding "Water colour is my specialty".

He directs the attention to a painting called ‘Moonlit view from Nagarkot’, done at night with a lamp, saying, "It’s difficult to paint in darkness. Even the world’s greatest artists say that because in darkness there is light". All the paintings were done on the spot, with a sort of held back impressionistic abandon.

The pictures speak quietly. There is a minimum amount of fuss in the paintings. Watercolours tend to bring the viewer into a world of silence and almost pastel shades of a Mediterranean glow. He has used colours like orange, brown, yellow, brick pink, grey, blue, black extensively to isolate and bring out the qualities he sees in the image in front of him. The result is that nearly all the paintings seem to be, apart from the darker tones he has used, suffused with light.

The minimalist titles for the pieces, such as Bhaktapur, Mountainscape I, Mountainscape II or The Old Bazaar- Pokhara, also serve to simply state what the image is and then draw the viewer’s eyes into the light and dark shades that work in balance to make the image known.

"Events like this should get our countries together breaking boundaries. We become close by our creations", he adds.

He concludes by pointing out that, "When I exhibit in England, the States I get much higher rates. The auctioneer Spink and Sons in London valued my paintings. My style of painting would fall into the group of romantic realism or naturalism". His paintings are priced from I.C Rs 13000 to 30000.

For a healthy approach

By Acharya Shree Dhruv

There are many women and men whose lifestyles rob them of health and vitality they should be experiencing. Margaret Heckler former secretary of Health and Human Services, USA declared, "Changes in lifestyle and behaviour could save 95,000 lives per year by the year 2,000". Here are seven ways to develop a healthier lifestyle and increase your resistance to many health problems that plague large numbers of people.

Smoking leads to aging and illness- Although information about the dangers of smoking are well-documented and highly publicised, many continue to use tobacco. Cigarettes are the most important individual health risk in this country responsible for more premature deaths and disability than any other known agent. Experts note that people who stop smoking gain greater physical endurance, increased capacity for exercise, more restful circulatory systems lower risk of cancer and other debilitating diseases as well as more energy.

Inactivity the killer- The only way you can hurt the body is not to use it. "Inactivity is the killer", says health club pioneer Sheela D’Costa now in her 80s and still at peak physical condition. Studies show that exercise is beneficial for people at every age. Among the benefits cited are increased energy, weight loss and maintenance, muscle toning, building bone mass, stronger heart, lower blood pressure, increased confidence and self-esteem. The key is to find an activity you enjoy. Then do it regularly and vigorously. If you prefer to go it alone then consider jogging, walking or bicycling. If you enjoy company then sign on for an aerobics class or join a fitness club. Remember that almost all physical activity delivers benefits.

Eat with your mind- There are enormous amounts of fat and calories in some restaurant foods like Italian, Mexican and Chinese. This does not mean you have to stop eating out. Rather use your mind when selecting from a restaurant menu making healthier choices. For example instead of eating French fries ask for a plain baked potato; instead of a Caesar salad choose minestrone soup; instead of spaghetti with meat sauce order steamed dumplings. Replace fried rice with steamed rice and egg fu yung with stir-fry vegetables. By using your mind when you eat our your food will be much lower in fat and calories. Small changes add up quickly.

Live a balanced life- A healthy lifestyle means maintaining a balance between labour and leisure, work and play, rest and activity. Illness is often the result of a life without proper balance. "The most striking example of how our bodies reflect an unbalanced lifestyle is heart disease", notes Deepak Chopra MD author of several best selling books including Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. Chopra believes that a "truly balanced life must be split into thirds." He recommends one third should be spent sleeping, one third should be spent working and one third spent in recreation such as reading, seeing a movie, going swimming or watching a sunset. Chopra lives his life by that pattern of thirds. He explains: "This morning I got up at 4.30, meditated until 5.30 and wrote until 6.30. Between 6.30 and 8, I went running. Right now it’s only 8.30 am and already I’ve had a lot of fun. In a few minutes I have a meeting and then I’ll go see a few patients in the afternoon. This evening I’ll meditate again and then have a nice dinner. By 10, I’ll be in bed".

Have a confidant- The strong silent type is a myth according to the latest research. In fact keeping quiet about skeletons in your closet can make you unhealthy. A survey of more than 300 adults found that those who didn’t reveal their emotions, especially painful ones, suffered significantly more depression, anxiety, colds, headaches and general aches than those who confided in someone.

Anger, anxiety and aggravation will rage inside people who succumb to the temptation of instant gratification. People who are impatient not only create more physical and emotional turmoil for themselves but they compromise key relationships, miss out on opportunities and give in prematurely to defeat. The end result of consistent impatience is a life riddled with frustration and doubt. "In most cases impatience will cause you to consider taking extreme action- doing either too little or too much", notes American psychiatrist Matin G. Groder MD. His advice: "Before acting take some time to think about the situation and what you can really do about it. Weigh the options and possible outcomes. Thinking through a long term problem for another week or two will not usually hurt the outcome. Action that is taken in response to anxiety is often premature and ill-chosen".

Get some support- As you develop a healthier lifestyle, find a person or a group who will support your health habits. Motivation is increased and interest heightened when you are connected to others who share similar goals and values. Studies demonstrate that a couple who exercises together keeps exercising.

By applying these healthful mind and body techniques, the fear of aging will be diminished because you are adopting a lifestyle that enhances both the quantity and quality of life. It is possible to live a healthy energetic and vital life in your 70s, 80s and beyond.

Nature imitates art

By Tanchoma Limbu

The artist co-operates with god in making larger numbers of people see the beauty of the world which they could never see for themselves. The world is, of course, god’s artistic masterpiece but it is the artist who lends people eyes to see it with. Nature seems to have taken a particular care to spread her blessings among the different regions of the world with an eye to this mutual intercourse and traffic among mankind that the natives of the several parts of the globe might have a kind of dependence upon one another, and be united together by their common interest.

In this sense, this is perfectly true that nature imitates art, for the majority of men see in nature what art has taught them to see in nature. The fogs of Illam tea garden were the invention of Whistler. To love beauty therefore becomes to the artist, as an artist, his first duty. To love beauty, that is, to see it for himself first and then to communicate it to others, for love implies at one vision and reproduction. It must be the first article in an artist’s creed, as an artist that beauty is the best interpreter of God to man; that when he has got hold of beauty, he has got hold of the surest key to the knowledge of God.

Mahatma Gandhi has said that beauty is truth. The artist, as an artist, must be content with the splendour, and through this splendour strive to convey the truth. He has no business with truth as such. As the philosopher, for instant, has. He has no concern with conduct as such as the moralist for instance, has. It is not his function to exhort men to good works, or to prove things; but merely to exhibit them. Plato thought a picture, for instance, was just a copy, an object- a copy of the idea. It was Aristotle, Plato’s pupil, who pointed out that though a picture was in one sense certainly a copy and therefore something less than the object, in another sense it was something more than the object. It was briefly the idea of the object made visible to the eye.

Art, therefore, doesn’t consist merely in line and colour, sound and image, but primarily in ideas. Beauty may not be useful. Beauty may not improve our minds. But, beauty may please. Indeed, such is the inherent delightfulness of beauty that, by its magic touch, not only the ugly becomes pleasurable, but even sorrow becomes a joy. That is the explanation of the pleasure we feel in tragedy. For tragedy make experience significant, and by making it significant, it makes it beautiful, and by making it beautiful it makes it pleasant. And it does not end at pleasing, it only aims at exhibiting. Pleasure is not its aim, it is the effects.

The pace of nepalese society

By Arjun Niroula

Nature goes on changing. Life was slow in ancient times. Surroundings did not change fast, old values, traditions and customs lasted for many years. Thus the pace of the people was slow in those days.

Modern civilization is characterised by fast changing values and interests. Everyday, new and strange developments in various sectors can be seem in the media. The development of Information Technology (IT) has narrowed the world within a monitor. We can easily watch the hunger strike in Ruwanda, earthquake victims in India, missile attacks on Iraq, presidential election in USA, anti-corruption demonstration in Indonesia etc. by sitting in a room. Everyone agrees, this all is, possible due to the vast development of information technologies.

Most often, Nepal is found using other country’s products. In most of the sectors, there is no originality. Ideas or technologies are imported from abroad. In the film industry also Nepali producers and directors copy from Hollywood and Bollywood film industry. They do not have their own way of thinking which is entirely essential for the development of Nepali culture and tradition.

It is said that slow and steady wins the race. But the problem in Nepali society is that it is moving without any proper planning. Proper planning is the backbone for the success of any project. Opportunity comes at once and never waits. Our pace is slow like the tortoise but it is not steady, so we are losing the race.

Probably, the citizens of urban areas are more educated compared to the rural sector. Whatever they know they are not implementing it in their daily activities. If the condition of educated people is like that, then we can easily guess at the situation of the rural people. The brain drain problem is prevailing in our society. Talent and skilled manpower go abroad for further studies and never return to their home country because of the inadequate facilities provided by the society and the government. This brain drain problem should be checked by providing an optimum atmosphere for them and the government should use those talents in the development of the country.

The Nepali people in terms of creative and fruitful activity are slow compared to those of other countries. Not only for practical purposes, fast-thinking is essential also in the field of enjoyment and recreation. We should not totally depend upon other’s help. If we seriously think and shape our activity towards the achievement of a civilized, healthy and developed society, we will definitely win the race and what we have always dreamed for.

the Conflict

By Anita Lama

We all know that the present world comprises of uncertainty, uncertainty that is amazingly spontaneous, uncertainty that seems to pester us in every right we take or speak. It is also a world of competition and opportunity but most of all it is that of tables turning, sometimes this side and sometimes that side and a simple person out of this circle, a bystander, finds it difficult to maintain his equilibrium as the tables hastily take unexpected turns.

This is a world of unfathomable differences especially if you happen to be around the same set of people for a long time and at close quarters. Then it becomes inevitable to not know people because of their differences as little as you do for similarities. Differences of opinion, differences of thought process, differences in background, differences in schooling, differences in attitude, differences in status, differences in stature, differences in income, differences in colour, differences in outlook and what have you? Variety it definitely offers but so does it sneak in difficulties. A difficulty in acceptance is the foremost. Difficulties in adjusting, difficulties in liking etcetera fall next in line.

Nothing substantiates these facts better than the careful and unbiased observation of the world around us. The not-so-blessed and not-so-fortunate lot even experience it in their own lives and not just as one time experience but a lifetime experience as they have to live with such experiences until the last certainty of life relieve them permanently. And why do people harbour such ill-feelings and make this beautiful life more of a pain than a pleasure? For the simple reason that we see more of differences in one another than we see similarities, if only we could count them. In some cases things do not end up in ill-feelings, they extend into the darkest lengths and flourish into gory details. History explains Brutus’s murder as an outcome of struggle for power but as we go back to the basics or the root level it was the differences that gave way to the struggle for power. One or multiple such differences generate a dislike against the other which in some cases flare up to gory and petty details.

Many a time people become a victim or a victimizer of such experiences. Some are swept away with the tide of foul water; some falter but regain the stature and some who quietly observe from a distance. I think the sensible people are those who falter and regain their stature. It shows how human they are, almost erroneous but quick enough to realize, accept and rectify one’s mistakes.

In this context I am reminded of the beautiful subject of literature, which helps people interpret and understand life in the right aspect, as it should be understood but not all people take these lessons with them out of the four-walled classes. That is the most lamentable fact because when others commit an act of sheer folly, it can be overlooked but when a student of literature does that, it is really disheartening. All the priceless efforts of the teacher and the taught have gone in vain, aptly in the dustbin with the rubbish. The same class that made you understand life the way it should have been, made you analyze to help you when you faltered, made you do critiquing to keep you in the right track, made you think with your own mind and not as others think. To sum up, the classes, which made you come out of the everyday circle of myopia, made you realize that you could have been wrong all along and helped you develop the humility to say, "I am sorry".

Unlike other classes, which give vocational training that help you to find a job in this world, help you understand the physics and chemistry of the physical world, Literature helps you understand people, the unexplainable depths and eccentricities of life that are easily overlooked as ‘weird’. This subject is psychology uncategorized and untitled. You question when a person behaves rudely but at the expense of a few days, you are back to normal, unable to dislike the person anymore. Maybe you are precautious but not malicious as you come up with a humane explanation for every possible and impossible behaviour projected. Since every person sees things differently they are bound to look at things differently thereby making each person feel justified for their actions or thoughts harboured.

I am also reminded of the relation between microcosm and macrocosm and the unending conflict between them that forms the foundation of all life forms especially humans. If we are not in conflict with the world around us then we are at conflict within ourselves. Sometimes we dislike some of our own impulsive actions or perhaps the way somebody treats us. The probable solution would be to come to terms with oneself, avoid wasting time with unwanted gossip and do justice to one’s work. Learning to love one’s work and believe in it unshakably. For the immediate it might be disheartening and unappreciable but in the long run it pays and not just pays but also helps enormously. You learn all the time, learn in terms of knowledge but most of all learn to value time and use it as it is expected of you. At the end of the day, when you retire to bed, you’ll have a sense of satisfaction and peace which all the money and flattery in the world cannot buy or capture for you.

cementing the terai arc

By Chandra P. Gurung and Anil Manandhar

The Terai Arc is a vision and a dream of linking eleven trans-border protected areas and forests spread across about 30,000 square kilometres in Nepal and India through biological corridors. The landscape is spread across Parsa Wildlife Reserve of Nepal in the east to Rajajee Corbett Rajajee National Park of India in the west. Between these parks lie the Royal Chitwan National Park, Royal Bardia National Park and Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Nepal and the Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Reserve, Sohelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Swehingaohegi Barga Wildlife Reserve, and the CorbettRajaji National Park of India.

Fifty years ago, the Terai of the base of the Himalayas was a string of green jewels- a necklace of pristine forests and tall grassland stretched along the Nepal-India border, providing habitat for a diverse assemblage of large terrestrial wild animals such as the Asia elephants, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, gaur and several deer species. Over the years, it has become fragmented owing to agricultural and infrastructure development. Fragmentation and degradation of wildlife habitat through the old corridors, forced wildlife populations to move through human habitation and resulted in man-wildlife conflicts.

The concept of the Terai Arc emerges from ecoregion based conservation (ERBC), an approach to conservation planning propounded by WWF and many other conservation and development organizations. WWF scientists have identified more than 200 ecoregions- popularly known as the Global 200 Ecoregions- across the world that need immediate conservation attention. These biological regions are areas of land or water that share a large majority of their species, ecological dynamics and environmental conditions. Past approaches to natural resource conservation were often focused on isolated areas within national geographical units. While projects on this scale remain building blocks of conservation, the need has been recognized for working over larger spatial scales and plan for conservation over longer time frames than ever before, while still acting locally. Wildlife knows no political boundary and the distribution of animal and plant species rarely coincides with the political boundaries of two or more countries. Besides, larger areas contribute much more to long-term biodiversity persistence than do smaller areas. The major difference between ERBC and the conventional approaches to conservation is that ERBC also puts emphasis on areas outside protected reserves as well as transboundary areas.

Since the national parks and wildlife reserves alone are not large enough as single isolated units to conserve tigers, elephants, and rhinoceros over a period of 100-200 years, the landscape approach in conservation offers the only hope. The vision presents a hopeful picture of linking the protected areas by corridors, offering tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and cohabitant species a chance of long-term survival. Experts also emphasize that it is critical to maintain forest corridors connecting protected areas to facilitate dispersal and genetic exchange between populations. The trans-border protected areas between Nepal and India have the potential to be linked with biological corridors.

Rapidly growing human populations in these areas continue to be largely dependent on forest resources for livelihood and income generation. Clearance of forests for agriculture and overgrazing are other major threats. Poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products have not been completely controlled. The Siwalik range is faced with the problem of soil erosion. Poverty and lack of awareness pose further threats to effective conservation.

The Terai Arc project is a great opportunity to protect Asia’s remaining habitat for the world’s critically endangered wildlife species. It also represents a world-view for wildlife conservation.

Within the Terai Arc falls one of the WWF Global 200 ecoregions-the Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands of the Eastern Himalayas. The Arc not only has Royal Chitwan National Park- a world heritage site, but the Western Terai is also a priority site for WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS).

A Supplementary Agreement has been signed between the Department of Forests, HMG/Nepal and WWF Nepal Programme for the restoration of the Churia foothill forests in Far-western Nepal and maintain biological corridor for wildlife. The Western Terai-Churia Conservation Programme aims to restore the corridors that would not only link protected areas in Western and Far-Western Nepal but also the adjacent Indian parks. Though Royal Chitwan National Parks and Royal Bardia National Park is no longer connected through the Terai forests, developing a corridor along the foothills of the Siwalik range could link them. WWF Nepal Programme has also entered into an agreement with WWF India regarding a plan of action for the Terai Arc.

Nepal’s conservation endeavour has evolved with the change in government’s policy and strategy. The important lesson learnt is that effective conservation is not possible without the active participation and support of the local people living in buffer areas. The corridors will not be designated, as protected areas; rather local communities will be involved in the management and protection of such corridors. So, the Terai Arc Project is not only about restoring degraded patches of forests outside the protected areas to maintain biological corridors but also about addressing the socio-economic concerns of the local people through income generating activities such as promotion of ecotourism and other community development programmes. The Integrated Conservation and Development Programmes (ICDPs), first time supported in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in 1986 by WWF, will be carried out in the Terai Arc to win the support of local people in protecting wildlife habitat and species. One of the major objectives of the project is to provide assistance to local communities in creating means to benefit economically from the restoration and protection of corridors. In addition to initiating regeneration of forests, local people will be encouraged for community forestry. Community forests and national forests will help to form critical corridors linking protected areas and facilitating wildlife movement.

The Terai Arc is a priority site for Save the Tiger Fund and other potential major partners. WWF is joining hands with governmental and non-governmental organisations, other stakeholders, and donor agencies to make the Terai Arc a reality. The Terai Arc is considered by a number of regional experts to be the most ambitious and one of the most important conservation projects in Asia, if not the world. Achieving the goals of this project will cement Nepal and India’s roles as two of the most innovative countries in the world in the area of wildlife conservation, community forestry, and community-based natural resources management.

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