Narayan Prasad Ghimire
Kathmandu, May 21: The government is all set to hold the ‘international expert dialogue on mountains, people and climate’ in the federal capital for two days- May 22-23. The line ministry has informed that preparations for the event were almost over.
The dialogue kicks off, coinciding with the International Day for Biodiversity. Every year, the day is observed on May 22 across the globe. The slogan for this year is: ‘Be part of the plan’. Here, the ‘plan’ indicates the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which in short is mentioned as Biodiversity Plan.
According to the UN Water, the theme this year is a callout for collaborative initiatives of all sides so that they could slow and undo the loss of biodiversity.
Similarly, the title of the international dialogue Nepal is holding itself speaks in volume that mountain is the region in which Nepal has suffered much owing to climate change. The national and international documents have written the upsetting tales of the Nepali mountains, warranting urgency for justice.
Cry for help
It is worth reminding that UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, had made a clarion call during the last global climate summit, COP-28,held in the UAE that Nepal was desperately waiting for assistance to rescue its majestic mountains from the climate scourge.
“Nepal’s mountains are crying out for help and COP28 must respond,” said the global leader, sharing his experience of visiting Nepal on the run-up to the event in October 2023.
Moreover, the stories of drying up of water sources irrespective of geography have frequented in media of late. Other erratic weather events as flashfloods, downpours, unseasonal rains, receding of snow, and migration of people owing to drying up of water sources, among others are also reported- though not in much investigative way.
The international dialogue is being held with these appalling developments in the country.
Drought be a top agenda
In this regard, this scribe approached a watershed expert Madhukar Upadhya to know what the dialogue should focus on. Referring to a recent report ‘National Climate Change Survey’ unveiled by the National Statistics Office, Upadhya said, “Drought must be the top agenda of this dialogue, for Nepal’s hills and mountains are drying up rapidly. Unless Nepal heeds drought as a major impact of climate crisis, we are to lose in multiple fronts.”
He added it was dreadful to know that in the survey, 57 percent respondents in hilly region said the streams dried while 90 percent shared similar plight in the mountains. He viewed it a stark reminder how the government should move ahead to cope with climate crises.
Balanced approach essential
As Nepal is yearning for development and economic progress for long, it has equally underlined the need of more constructions, energy production and expansion, transport, and promotion of tourism destinations, among others.
For these to happen, there is obvious use of natural resources. Whether it is environmental or the climate concern, the development approach needs clear balance so that we can forward construction activities with minimum damages.
At a time when pride on our majestic peaks, the convenience we create for road transportation to reach base of these peaks can be analysed in both perspectives. For example, on May 20, the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) had disseminated a news story that Rs 25 million rupees was collected in revenue from Manaslu region in the last nine months of the current fiscal year. It was collected from the visitors as entry fee to the Manaslu Conservation Area, which is located in the northern belt of Gorkha district.
Similarly, another story read that over 10,000 tourists reached the Rara Lake in the last 10 months. Among them, 10,341 were domestic tourists, 43 from SAARC nations and 195 from rest of the world.
These two stories are indeed matter of celebration, for they contribute to our tourism and ultimately to the national income. At the same time, these incidents deserve equal attention whether the concerned governments are aware of the impact on biodiversity. The haphazard road constructions for new tourist destinations can be checked on time. Also the construction of mega projects and their adherence to code of environmental protection are unforgettable points.
Climate actions with indigenous knowledge
In addition to leveraging climate diplomacy citing resource crunch at home, local initiatives cannot be subsided at all. The localization of climate action is therefore an urgency in Nepal. But sheer dearth of capable human resources at local and sub-national levels is worrying concern. The capable human resources are those who understand well the climate crisis and its impacts, measure loss and damage, prepare policy and plans; and execute programmes in an effective manner. At a time when the regular staffs required for province and local levels are in short supply in Nepal, how it will manage the capable human resources is also a point to ponder.
The federal set up is often lauded as the governance that reaches people’s doorstep through local levels. Of course, the local governments have numerous responsibilities and are better placed to understand the climate vulnerabilities, so their capacity building to cope with climate catastrophe is imperative. The capacity building should be linked to harnessing of indigenous knowledge.
According to expert Upadhyay, harnessing traditional knowledge and skills can mitigate impact of climate crisis. “Why don’t we set up hundreds of ponds in the villages that not only recharge soil but also help keep intact local ecosystem and fulfill daily needs,” he viewed, arguing that it will be too late for Nepal to wait for money from the international funds to rescue needy ones.
“Importantly, we should be cognizant that donor-driven approach is a short term solution. So, as reports have indicated broader national approach is required that builds capacity of entire populace in the hills and mountains and ensures robust stewardship of water, land and forest upkeep.”
Ensure effective governance
Another concern is non-implementation of policies and plans. When Nepal begs for financial and technical assistances from global community to cope with climate crises, its capacity to spend budget must be elevated. If we are eligible to receive fund from international community for climate mitigation and adaption, but fail to utilize the fund, it not only shows our inability but also erodes international image. The budget spending capacity in relation to climate activities counts much for effective climate action. In order for effective mobilization of such funds, bureaucratic governance and political willpower should work in tandem.
As the government is set to make the mountain menace visible to the world again, it can also showcase how it forwards climate actions.
