MOST: Future policy

Suvecha Pant

Science and Technology has to play a central role in poverty alleviation in the emerging scenario because of it being directly related with the lives of the common people and rural Nepal, and ultimately the country’s economy. This target can be achieved through biotechnology, information technology, indigenous technology promotion, national resources development, agricultural and forestry research, basic science research, Himalayan resource development, mitigation of natural hazards and water resource management.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), considering these aspects, announced its future policies and action plans this week. Once again, Information Technology and Biotechnology are highlighted as key sectors in the future development of the country. Similarly, Hydrology and Meteorology, Alternate Energy and Telecommunications are also some of the areas that has been emphasised in the policy.

MOST acknowledges the need for Information Technology to reach the villages. It plans to establish a system for the settlement of an information-oriented development strategy for the effective utilisation of communication, computer systems and software development for the benefit of the rural and urban population. The initial stages towards this will be to form a Research Committee that will analyse these aspects and submit the action plan report within the next two months.

The ministry highlights the use of biotechnology as a powerful means of addressing food, health, resources, environmental and other major problems facing in Nepal. To reach this goal of benefiting the rural people, the Ministry will initiate its programme within the next two months.

Emphasis has also been given on the use of readily available alternative technologies for sustainable development. In this fiscal year, MOST plans to install 24,000 bio-gas plants, generate 500 KW from small-scale electricity plants, install 1000 household solar systems, and distribute 22,000 improved stoves for rural households.

The Ministry will also establish the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology as a Centre for studying Monsoon, Agro and Satellite Meteorology, Numerical Weather Prediction, Snow and Glaciers.

MOST plans to establish 15 rural information tele-centres. These centres will provide information on agriculture, health, education and environment to the rural people. The Ministry also plans to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Telecommunications to provide further telecommunication services to rural areas. In this fiscal year, a telecommunication development fund for the development and improvement of communication systems will also be established to benefit the rural communities.

A main website of the Government of Nepal will be launched by MOST within this fiscal year that shall provide information on each Ministry under the Government. The website, www.nepalhmg.com.np will be in operation within one month. Similarly, the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST), will be established as a Himalayan Centre for the conservation of the mountains and its indigenous flora, fauna.

The promotion of highly motivated, intelligent and imaginative Nepali scientists and strategists who can integrate their research efforts with those of the scientific community, national and international is also outlined explicitly in the policy.

MOST will initiate research laboratories by the creation of a Science Park that will be used by the scientific manpower (like scientists, technologists, teachers and students) for scientific work. The Ministry strongly encourages the public for feedback regarding the policy or any other programmes at its contact number, 245571, or fax number 225474. It plans to introduce a performance indicator by which MOST will be able to evaluate its progress.

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