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Saptari Killings was purely Human Rights Violation by the state
Rayznews reported " On March 5th four United Democratic Madhesi Front cadets have been killed in a firing by Police trying to dis...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Nepal’s Political condition lays unrest and unsecured with a question to bad political culture……
Monday, November 21, 2011
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)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
SPARK OF CHANGE- What Next !!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
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.
Monday, November 14, 2011
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
Friday, November 11, 2011
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
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Political Adaptation and its brief account in Nepal
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."
Monday, November 7, 2011
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 .
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.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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.”
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