Nepal’s Political condition lays unrest and unsecured with a question to bad political culture……

From the appointment of Dr. Baburam Bhattrari to his so called political apathy of bringing relief to the general public has outgrown its image and aspirations. Bold with the statement of making the smallest government to spending NRS 2.7 million in just one hi-tea program, to the BIPPA agreement, to making the biggest government, certainly shows the image and practice of this new political culture. Diluting its credibility and image any one can clearly know the political games and manipulation happening with Baburam’s government. With such propaganda and controversies, the country seems to lack no solution for its political instability and chaos.

Forming a coalition government and being the 35the Prime minister of Nepal, Baburam showed immense hope to the public in taking the country towards the path of development. Making people believe of finding a solution to the peace process and the constitution was the final point of understanding which was nevertheless in question.

His appointment in post expected a certain level of political morality and ethics that certainly seems to stretch with the outcry of publicity and marketing strategy that has been adapted and practiced. The lack of political understanding and the gaps between the political parties certainly shows the bad example of political culture and its practice in Nepal.

The Peace process and constitution seems to be in a pendulum state which searches its definition among the intrinsic factor that influences and manipulates it identity at times of need or else it’s just there to hold its position for the recognition.

Constitution Making: Constitution making process has been a joke from the past 3 years where the chairman of the Constitution Assembly Subash Nembang fails to recognize the importance of time validation and believes in extension of the Constitution Assembly again and again. What can we expect from leaders like this? Searching solution for the stalled Constitution in the area conflict, public memorandum is the best possible solution but it seems the Nepali Constitution Assembly (CA) Law Makers and political parties are scared that their regular income will be curbed. Legally Law makers earn NRS 60,000 (USD 800) per month officially excluding perks so one can imagine the level of income that they are enjoying.

Peace Process: Looking at it from an expert’s point of view, peace process is like the middle point of a stoppage. All the parties and law makers talk about Peace and how it should be managed but when it comes to the management and table things don’t work. Reality is peace process is agreed upon the points of agreement and terms of reference that are being signed to make government but when it comes to action bad political practices rules in. The coalition government was formed to solve the peace process but it’s so happening that peace process seems to be the greatest hindrance for the current government.

Moving forwards with the peace process seven teams of 210 surveyors have been set up for the categorization of 19,000 Maoist combatants. They are expected to complete the categorization process by November 28, where at policy level things seem unclear. On Sunday Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal reached Bardiya accompanied by UML leader Bamdev Gautam and NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula to direct his party cadres to return land seized during the insurgency to their rightful owners, but returned Kathmandu without giving unambiguous directives to the cadres in this regard. Some of the party cadres had also threatened to retaliate if the properties were returned to the owners forcefully.

It is estimated that the United Communist Parties of Nepal (Maoist) has captured around 2,000 bighas of private and public land in Bardiya. According to the district administration office, 242 families have registered complaints about seizure of land by the Maoists.

In 2010 the UN had rehabilitated over 4,000 disqualified combatants, including child soldiers. These combatants disqualified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal during the 2007 verification of the Maoist army have frequently expressed their dissatisfaction over their rehabilitation.

Amid lack of political modality and culture, Nepal political situation lies in a rest situation pointing figures at each other. Political leaders getting rich and famous and political agendas lacking recognition is a question of where we are moving. The definite solution to any problem can be done if there is an effort to solve but when there is no effort there is no solution.

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

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Bhutanese refugee on hunger Strike unto-death

The Bhutanese refugees at Beldangi-based Bhutanese refugee Camp are under fast-unto-death from the past 7 days. The hunger strike started from November 15 which is organized by the Relief Deprived Bhutanese Refugees Women’s Group where 15 women strictly following the hunger strike. The women group started the strike demanding the different donor’s identity cards be given the cards and the provision of ration distributed accordingly.

According to Rastriya Samachar Samiti(RSS), “ Acting Chief District Officer of Jhapa district, Yogendra Dulal, coordinator of the Human Rights Organization of Nepal, East Region chapter, Dr. K.P. Subedi, among others had held talks with the representatives of the Women’s Group on Sunday in an effort to break the hunger strike. But the talks failed as the people staging the hunger strike were adamant they would not break their fast until all their demands were met. The Group claims that 3,649 Bhutanese refugees living in six camps in Jhapa and Morang districts have missed the verification carried out by the UN High Commission on Refugees and therefore have not got the identity cards with them which has resulted in they being deprived of various relief assistance given to the refugees.”

According to Bhutanese Refugees .com, “Since 1991 over one sixth of Bhutan's people have sought asylum in Nepal, India and other countries around the world. The vast majority of the refugees are Lhotshampas, one of Bhutan’s three main ethnic groups, who were forced to leave Bhutan in the early 1990s. There is ample evidence, as documented by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations that the expulsion of large numbers of Lhotshampas was planned and executed with meticulous attention to detail. Over 105,000 Bhutanese have spent more than 15 years living in refugee camps established in Nepal by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Thousands more are living outside the camps in Nepal and India, and some in North America, Europe and Australia.

Since 2008 a resettlement process has seen many thousands of Bhutanese refugees from the camps in Nepal being re-settled primarily in the USA but also in Canada, Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Norway.”

Shreedeep Rayamajhi ( http://www.rayZnews.com)

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SPARK OF CHANGE- What Next !!!!!!!!!

This Video is dedicated to the SPARK OF CHANGE where it addresses the frustration and aggravation of youths who believe and want to bring CHANGE. As today the new culture of No is tolling its heights, we have money but we have no petrol, no electricity, no security,no constitution, no water etc. what so ever and still we are the onces who have to keep silent our VOICE, thats done..........

Our government and leaders are completely careless about their responsibilities where they need to be awaken and informed that people are watching. We have taken them into power that means we the people have the power to take them down. The most important thing is awareness when people talk about the issues that's when it gets noticed and then the spark of change can be ignited. Change comes slowly and steadily. It's not an ice-cream that tastes better or you have to finish it fast, Change is something thats very slow, silent, simple, rigid, and protagonist

It's Shreedeep Rayamajhi Presentation

2011 © Rays Production

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Everest Region and Human waste a problem

Climate change has been a global issue of talks especially in big conferences and seminars but when it comes to ground reality it always lacks its practicability in different areas of application. Climate change is an issue of development and growth which is hard to overcome. Like said that climate change issues have not only evolved as a big problem but it also threatens its victim with the by-products that are more alerting.

On contrary it also highlights as a powerful sector of investment and opportunities with dues of limited accessibility and contradiction. Reality is it has been a constant issue of talks for what must be done on the controversial side where nobody talks about it’s by products and its hard affects which is more or less important. To be specific especially for a country like Nepal with limited Green house gas emission rate of 0.11 per person per country which is anything and still the effects of climate change is clearly visible in Nepal. Blaming climate change as the main cause of problems if you look at Nepal’s situation it is very vivid to its practices of how, and what is happening here.

From the melting of the Glacier due to temperature rise in the Himalayan region to the farming externalities of pest, climate change has been an issue of attracting donor money with no end results. Sorting the techniques climate change not only initiates cons but it also has its pros with profitable applications which to some extent shadows in. Sidelining these issues these days a new issue has evolved in the Himalayan region. The current problem other than temperature rise in the Himalayan region is taking shape of immediate attention highlighting the lack of proper waste management. Though the government with its stipulated rules and regulation has created provision of liaison officer and checking waste management but more or less to its practicality the lack of moderation certainly is piling up the Everest region with waste that are visible and waste that not visible(human waste) .

Under the Mountaineering Rules and Regulation 2059, under section 15 sub head of Functions and Duties of a Mountain Guide, it is clearly stated To bring back the garbage that came out above the base camp while using any commodity to the base camp compulsorily similarly under .

Section 27 titled Classification and Management of Garbage defines following points:

(1)The garbage shall be classified for the purpose of garbage management used by the mountaineering expedition team as follows:

(a) Garbage which can be destroyed

(b) Garbage which can be recycled

(c) Garbage which his to be re imported

(2)The materials to be considered the garbage pursuant to sub rule (1) shall be as prescribed in Schedule –10.

Schedule 10

(Relating to sub rule (2) of Rule 27)

The materials to be considered as garbage

The following materials shall come under the following garbage:-

(a) Garbage which can be destroyed: Toilet paper, paper, cardboard, things made from bamboo, jute and cotton bag, decomposed food or dead body.

(b) Garbage which can be recycled: Tin, bottle, jar, plastic can, plastic shit, reusable gas cylinder, and plastic bag or gas container.

(c)Garbage which has to be re-imported: Used oxygen bottle, used battery, equipment to be used for climbing or personnel goods etc.

Surfacing the fact of the application and visibility few attempts have been made in bring back the visible waste but what about the bio hazardous ( Human Waste). Can you imagine your waste being frozen there for ages and still have the potentiality of being harmful for the environment? It’s like time stops where everything else is frozen. The effects of lack of waste management are visible.

During the summer season when the snow melts dead crops of mountaineers can be seen in unreachable areas lying abandon. Likewise with the threat of melting down of the glacier the lack of management of waste in the Everest region has significantly triggered the utmost need of managing the human waste there. Though limited efforts have been done with collecting human waste through the waste bags in the lower region of the Everest but a condition to rethink about the upper region certainly hinder to consider about the waste management process.

In a report of United Nation Environment Program, states “ Concentrated visitor activity in mountain areas generates significant amounts of both solid waste and wastewater, which can pollute water and soil through improper storage and disposal. Solid waste can build up from food and beverage consumption and the disposal of used packaging, supplies and equipment. Certain types of waste, including pharmaceuticals, personal products and cleaning products may contain dangerous chemicals that can harm local ecosystems, wildlife or people. Accidental or poorly managed discharges of oils and fuels from vehicles, vessels or equipment can be a significant source of water or soil pollution. Wastewater and sewage from facilities, water craft and animals, such as sled dogs and horses, can also easily pollute freshwater resources, particularly since human and other wastes and chemicals break down more slowly in alpine areas.”

Till date it is estimated that more than 1million people have reached the Everest region from the time of its first scale and their waste lies as a ticking time bomb frozen and waiting for the right time to be released with all its fury. It certainly can ruin the mountain environment and its surrounding ecosystem. Huge efforts are made to stop garbage and littering in Everest region but a less ignored area is the human waste which is certainly more threatening and being ignored. More specific policies are needed with better mechanisms to curb this problem or else Everest region will be yet another environmental disaster.

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

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Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered to withheld – License to KILL

Kathmandu, November 13: The Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered the Government and the President not to take any action in the Murder case of Lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel until November 21 when the court is scheduled to decide whether to stay with or without the controversial recommendation. On Sunday the legal body with the growing pressure from the public and other national and international organization issued a statement ordering the president and the government not to act on the government recommendation to pardon Maoist lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel, a murder convict. The Supreme Court’s single bench of Justice Tahir Ali Ansari had convicted Dhungel for the first degree murder in 2010 with property attachment for the murder of Ujjan Shrestha in 2004.

The government of Nepal had recommended the pardon on political grounds where the Ujjan Shrestha case study shows no political affiliation with the case. Despite the huge protest from the public, national and international human rights groups, the Government of Nepal is still silent about the issue.

In a recent public statement issue by Prachanda, the Maoist supremo and a lawmaker, “The case of Bal Krishna is the case that was lobbied during the time of Madhav Kumar Nepal’s Government, but due to unavoidable circumstances it was neglected and currently the political parties are making an issue out of it which is completely irrelevant.”

In reply to this statement, Madhav Kumar Nepal Former Prime minister and a leader of the UML party said, “ We had not decide anything like this in fact the way Maoist leader are pulling the case seems very unpractical. If anyone is proven guilty then he or she must be brought by the book. Law of rule is equal to all if not then why do we need judicial system.”

The withheld situation came in action in midst of a deadlock situation of direct confrontation of the legal body and government of Nepal. With high controversies and protest from people, the President of Nepal was seen hesitant about the issue. For this, the court has ordered the lawyers of both sides to be present before the court November 21.

References: http://www.groundreport.com/Business/Justice-searches-new-meaning-in-Nepal-Politicians-/2942467

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

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A Tibetan Monk ablaze himself in midst of self-immolation protests

Kathmandu, 11 November, 2011: It has been reported that a Tibetan monk set himself on fire in Baudha, a prominent Tibetan area of Katmandu on Thursday. A series of self-immolation protests has been in rise where around 11 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze this year in a China's southwestern Sichuan province.

After 1959, more than 20,000 Tibetan exiles are living in Nepal, after the uprising against of the Chinese rule in Tibet. Nepal has strictly prohibited demonstrations by Tibetan exiles and other facilitating activities.

According to the Reuterus, “The protestor, whose name is unknown, was a monk carrying a Tibetan flag and chanting Long live Tibet before setting his clothes alight”

Recently one of the US lawmakers Frank Wolf, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee that determines US funding, said, “ He would try to block funding to Nepal unless it grants exit visas to Tibetans who seek refuge in the United States. We're not just going to cut them, we're going to zero them out,"

Shreedeep Rayamajhi https://www.rayZnews.com

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Political Adaptation and its brief account in Nepal

It brings me to smile, when I think about Nepal’s politics and the kind of mentality that we Nepalese people have towards surfacing or addressing our political expectation. Politics the so called expectation of people certainly highlights a proper system to address the issues of public interest that should be flexible and selfish toward the social welfare. Now let’s talk about Nepal’s elite parties, Nepali congress or UML or any other party why are all in the same league, why don’t they have a standing regarding political responsibility toward people’s aspiration. All of them they say they are working for the public but why they cannot come to a common point in the name of a country is something always makes me think. Why none of the political parties are ideal to define their political practices or why they are in question of morale and ethics ….? What about the constitution? what about giving public a standard of life. These are the utmost priorities of the public sentiment that are broadly being neglected.

Now looking at the other side of the corner we have the Maoist, from the day of the Maoist revolt to their commitment of joining the main stream politics, it seems negligible in proportionate of the decisions and agreements, they made. Their establishment and struggle has been testimonial to the mentality that revolted against the past practice of politics that was more inclined to Power sharing, Nepotism, corruption, Favoritism, manipulation etc. Their contribution has been limited to the pending situation of being the largest party of the constitution assembly and to prioritize their importance in showcasing there power and politics. Their ideology evolved from people’s aspirations where today it’s limited to their party and their people. Their struggle and existence highlights the sacrifices of thousands who willing gave their lives for their country but today it’s more like the other way round where the definitions their ideologies are changing.

I strongly believed in people and their ideologies. I always stood by the fact that none of the parties stand in Nepal is wrong in fact their leadership and their visions might have been wrong but not the party itself. Political parties are the free way of people’s voice that keeps public know and change accordingly to fulfill and direct the social welfare in regards to full social obligation as defined and needed.

Reality is the growing popularity stunts and media attention of Nepal’s politics is infested with a new adaptation and mutation of a new popularity contest that has certainly taken Nepal’s politics to new a newer heights.

One thing I always thought about was the so called out of proportion blow out publicity that has adapted Nepal’s politics. For instant Dr Baburam Bhattrai using the mustang car designed and contributed by the Golcha group of industry. He was an instant HERO as soon as the news came out. May be people were sick and tired of monotonous image of the show off attitude of politicians but it certainly brought him to news and he certainly enjoyed the popularity but for what is my question. Reality is Golcha Group is enlisted as one of the VAT defaulters of the country. A question that says may be we are hurrying too much in giving him a Hero image, without doing anything.

Myrepublica one of the foremost newspapers reports, " The Baburam Bhattarai-led government, which earned popularity for introducing austerity measures, will now have to spend approximately 4.5 million rupees every month on salary, allowances, hospitality expenses, quarter and security of the 46-member cabinet -- the second largest in the political history of the country."

Similarly, Ekantipur reports, "Prime Minsiter Baburam Bhattarai made a surprise visit and inspection of the hotel and restaurants in Muglin of Chitwan today. During the inspection, he checked kitchen and toilets of the hotels. After inspection, he directed the owners to put the price list and to pay the attention on cleanliness of hotel and hygienic service for the customers."

Another example is the Prime Minister talking on phone to the normal public live in the nationwide national TV station Nepal Television. It’s a good initiation for a Prime Minister’s side to know his people and their problems but why publicize, it publically? It’s done in so much out of proportion way and for what?

He is there to work not to en-cash popularity. After all may be he is also another politician who believes in making thing work from his own way but his position certainly gives the power and responsibility to be credible then to en-cash his own popularity. The question is where did we lack or what are we searching for? We outcaste the king, we declared the country as secular state, we have better laws and regulation from exploitation to racialism and still we have no political stability, still there are issue that hinders the life of a normal layman. I believe our country is facing the problem due to bad politics practices or wrong political adaptation. It is a question to all where we need to do a reality check to search for answers as in future you will be asked the question by your coming generation , then and there I believe we all need to have an answer to say we believe in this…………………………………

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US Lawmaker Threatens Nepal government to ease on the Tibetan refugee issue

Kathmandu Nepal: In a recent out cry of struggle of the Tibetan refugee issue, Nepal’s government has been threatened by a US lawmaker to strip Nepal off its share of US aid, unless it permits refugees fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet to transit through the country, states the Agence France Presse (AFP) on Thursday .

Representative Frank Wolf, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee that determines US funding, said he would try to block funding to Nepal unless it grants exit visas to Tibetans who seek refuge in the United States. We're not just going to cut them, we're going to zero them out," said Wolf, a Republican from Virginia and outspoken critic of China. "If they're not willing to do it, then they don't share our values and if they don't share our values, we do not want to share our dollars," he told a congressional hearing on Tibet. Wolf said he would propose the aid cutoff if Nepal's record does not improve by the time the United States looks at foreign aid funding next year.

The report further highlights Representative Frank Wolf, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee that determines US funding, said he would try to block funding to Nepal unless it grants exit visas to Tibetans who seek refuge in the United States. According to sources the US Agency for International Development poured in $57.7 million for Nepal in the 2010 fiscal year.

In the past few years Nepal has been pretty fixed upon Tibetan refugees issue and has been strict in focusing more towards illegal migration process. Nepal has been the main route for exile for the Tibetans who having been rebelling against the Chinese government over Tibet who believe in the autonomous and free Tibet concept. The cases of illegal migration has been an immense issue where at times Tibetan refugees have been arrested with fake documents and fake passport with legal VISA and support from the US embassy. The controversy has not only challenged the US government’s role in refugees issue but it also shows the local interference that US embassy does at times of helping these illegal immigrants.

A question of legality has been raised against the US government and it s role regarding the foreign policy and its operation in the third world country.

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Climate change problem and its ground reality in Nepal

Climate change has been a topic of discussion since past few years, its relevancy and awareness has spread with the confusion among the different stake holders regarding its work methodology and its practices. With high priority and concern, large amount of international funds has been poured-in in regards to the climate change activities and campaigns where the awareness spread in the field has not only created a trend of awareness but to a level has created a confusion among the different entities to work together for the cause. The basic entities in the field of climate change in Nepal have been working individually in regards to their sectors and work practices. In Nepal the work entities have been basically divided in these categories
1. Donor
2. Line agencies
3. The government4. Local organization
5. Consumer

The different categories of organization work at different levels of action and awareness strategy where the government and line agencies work in policy and strategy level. The government role is immense in respect to the services that it provides through its different organizations but due to lack of infrastructure and mobility in the rural areas the human resources are limited within the urban area where the rural people lack the services which they are in dire need of. The Donor organization works in providing funds and receiving the feedbacks only. Local organization works in collaboration of the line agencies and government in following the strategies in action. At consumer level they work toward the adaptation and adaptability of the problem where lack of coordination and planning has been hindering the prospect of investment and research.

Especially in a country like Nepal where the education rate is very low, People know that changes are happening and they are adapting to it but they lack the technical knowhow of what, where and how?
Looking at the scenario and economic condition of Nepal and its pollution rates, Nepal stand nowhere to talk about its contribution in Green house gases emission rates but consequently it faces a huge price of global warming and climate change in retrospect to its adaptability and consequences.

The world Wild Life Nepal in its website says, “Communities in the target area are facing the natural hazards such as landslides, earthquakes and forest fires. Serious drought, temperature increases, and flash flooding are causing serious detrimental impacts on community livelihoods – causing food insecurity; lack of access to freshwater for irrigation and household needs; soil erosion; damage to infrastructure (including irrigation systems, land, property and roads); increase in pests and diseases, and changes to ecosystems (including NTFPs). These hazards are in part as a result of non-climate drivers (such as land use changes, unsustainable use of natural resources, governance, tourism) but are exacerbated by climatic variability. Communities in the target area do not have adequate access to information on climate data and local planning structures (including Village Development Committee Plans, and Buffer Zone Management Plans) have not taken into account risks as a result of climate change. WWF will play a crucial role in working with communities to ensure risks to ecosystem integrity (and therefore ecosystem services) are minimized; thereby building on existing or developing new relationships with other NGOs, private sector organizations, government agencies or research institutions to ensure all vulnerabilities facing people and the natural environment are addressed.”

Climate change has been an effective sector of funding where different Non government organizations are mushrooming in. According to a report from the Centre District Office there are thousands of organizations registered or that have the work capability to work in the field of climate change. Though different NGOs are operational but most of them are limited within bring funds and lack real operational skills where the government lack of monitoring mechanism has boosted their confidence.

Like such Saurav Dhakal, British Council International Climate Champion 2010/11 recently shared his experience of the ground reality of the climate change and its adaptation problems that he encountered during his visit to far rural villages of Dailekh and Terahthum. He shared some key points in his study report of “Adaptation learning highways” which are given below.

Community perception on climate change:

• Delay and reduced snowfall
• Delay in erratic rainfall
• Prolonged dry spells
• Water stress
• Increased pest incident
• Early maturing of crops and new crop opportunities

Dhakal further highlighted the issues and gaps of climate change in following key points.

• Lack of mechanism or existing mechanism is not actively functioning to discuss on farmers problem and technical backstopping on problem
• Lack of technical backstopping for farmers to solve the problem in field level from line agencies. Most of the technical service providers agencies are centered in district headquarters
• Less information on adaptation of farming techniques and seed methodology
• Less knowledge on responsibilities of line agencies toward farmers
• Lack of effective information flow system
• Lack of introduction of new technology in adaptation of farming techniques
• Lack of effective human resource in the field

He said, “People in rural parts of Nepal they majorly lack knowledge sharing and most importantly they are unaware of the resources that are available to reduces the effective of climate change. It’s a worrying situation especially in rural villages where prominent changes are happening and people have no idea of what’s happening. The awareness program of line agencies has reached places but they are inconclusive way limited to center and cities where people in rural areas are confused. The government needs to collaborate in a proper mechanism in dealing with such scenario where the gaps in between the line agencies, and the people should be overcome. The ultimate goal is to provide relief to the public where a reality check needs to be done from all sides and proper efforts have to be done in dealing with the situation.”

Ministry of Environment (MoE) in its portal states, “The Government of Nepal, Ministry of Environment (MoE) has received support from the Embassy of Denmark in Nepal to implement climate change activities. The MoE prepared, through this support, the status report while participating the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC and 5th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP) to the KP. In addition, this funding was also used to prepare and publish the Status of Climate Change in Nepal. The MoE has felt an urgent need for preparing Strategy for Climate Change Strategy and Framework for Climate Change Fund from this support within the broader framework of the Climate Change Policy, 2011. This strategy is expected to streamline all climate change activities in Nepal and include negotiation approaches and will contribute to future climate change negotiations as well. Similarly, the framework for climate change fund will provide a basis to channelize funding on climate change activities received from different sources in the country. The Ministry of Environment intends to prepare the Climate Change Strategy and Framework for Climate Change Fund by procuring consulting services. The key output of this study will be the final reports on: (i) Climate Change Strategy; and (ii) Framework for Climate Change Fund.”

With stakeholders of climate change being more focused in managing the funds and other operational issues climate change industry in Nepal has been a booming industry. The reality of the rural villages and lack of effective human resource in addressing the issue has evolved as a serious problem. Lack of monitoring from the government side and effective mechanism to upgrade the human resource and to outreach the people seems to be the problem at large. Climate change in Nepal has been an issue of concern to all where lack of coordination among the stakeholder hiders the process of awareness and adaptation.

Further climate change strategy and adaptation perspective can be gained from the following link
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24367688/Research-Paper-Nepal-s-Position-Paper-for-the-en-Negotiations-COP15-by-Shreedeep-Rayamajhi

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Nepal lies in dilemma of power tussle between China and USA

Kathmandu August 1, 2011: A Tibetan woman refugee was arrested here in Nepal while trying to obtain a fake Nepali passport. The 22-year-old woman who is suspected to be a refugee living in Bangalore, was arrested red handed when she tried to obtain a Nepali passport in the name of Chhintal Tamang. The Nepal police also arrested 3 Nepali citizens, Bhakta Bahadur Tamang, K.P. Thapaliya and Devendra Neupane as her accomplish.

According to the Government of Nepal, Tibetans entering Nepal after 1989 do not have permission to stay as legal refugees within Nepal, nor does the law protect their human rights. However, the principle of non-refoulement, laid out in 1954 in the UN-Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, provides in Article 33(1) that:"No Contracting State shall expel or return ('refouler') a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion."

The arrest came in action within weeks of Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau arrest of two minors at Tribhuvan International Airport while trying to leave the country with fake Nepali passports under valid US Visa. The under aged Tibetan kids 15-year-old Jayang Tenzin, and his sister, Tsering Lhamo, 12, were arrested while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Turkey with other members of their family who have been living in the US under the status of Tibetan refugees.

With China trying to use its bilateral relationship and USA trying to be more flexible towards the refugee issue of Tibet, Nepal is stranded with no option except to pretend accordingly to both the sides. From the past activism practices to the recent arrest shows Nepal’s position and lack of clarity. Nepal seems to be sandwiched between the giant powers with no standing on the issue, more or less China putting ban and USA being more flexible toward the Tibetan asylum cases , Nepal has been a ground reality for the Tibetans who have been suffering from both ways.

Shreedeep Rayamajhi

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