Kathmandu: To begin with, two news stories in background: The indigenous people of Sagarmatha region in Nepal have been facing a gradual decline of locally produced crops, which are rich in nutrition. The Sherpa people are worrying over imminent food crisis, impacting adversely especially on children and pregnant women. This news was reported by RSS last March.
Next, in an upper hilly district of Gandaki Province, the frequency of snow leopards killing Himalayan goats (chyangra) was on rise of late, resulting into a huge loss in animal husbandry in mountainous region. This story was also disseminated by RSS some months back. Both of these stories have links to climate change. Rising temperature, receding snow, loss of vegetation and crop failure are linked to the above incidents.
The snow leopard preying especially the blue sheep found in high mountains is climbing down the hills and preying Himalayan goats reared by local farmers. Amazing? The reason, as the lived experience of the livestock farmers in the mountainous region puts it, is- the receding snow in the upper belt caused severe decline in the vegetation that blue sheep live on. It caused blue sheep coming down the hills for the grass. The blue sheep are followed by the snow leopard, finally reaching the farmers’ livestock in high land pasture. The Himalayan goats and sheep kept in enclosures are killed in numbers.
The first story too is directly related to the snow, the minus temperature and scant rainfall prolonging dryness. It is unfortunate that reflecting the Himalayan ecology, the Sagarmatha region is also suffering from fading snow. As per news, Tenjing Jangbu Sherpa from Chhukum in the Khumbu region expressed worry over the steep decline in crop yields. “Buckwheat yield has significantly dropped,” he shared.
The snow-capped mountains are turning bare and black, finally throwing humanity in crises, and ecosystem in chaos.
There are plenty of such stories, warranting serious attention and engagement from the concerned sectors including the special roles from all three tiers of governments. The stories on water sources drying up are reported rife from across hills and southern plains of Nepal. These stories expressing local people’s plight and tribulation are the glaring examples of climate crisis speaking volume- much more than the lab-based reports.
In addition to this, the growing severity of adverse weather events, causing loss of lives and damages of property at scale are equally concerning. The cases in recent years like the Melamchi flood, the Thame glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) to the last September’s Roshi and Koshi floods and landslides, are other stronger reminders of disruption in patterns of rainfall. The rainfall breaking records of decades last September claimed lives even within the Kathmandu Valley. It caused huge damage especially along the BP Highway.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology this time has again forecasted that the country may have more rainfall coming monsoon, which must have drawn governments’ attention on time to begin homework for the disaster preparedness at the earliest.
This is just a short backgrounder with few domestic issues surrounding climate change and its impact, and disaster management.
Chart out actionable measures to face climate catastrophe
As the government is all set to host the 3-day climate event, Sagarmatha Sambaad (May 16-18), the flagship programme pending for five years since its first announcement, these stories must serve as wake up calls to make the event meaningful. Although the dialogue will be a platform to share national and international problems relating to climate change focusing Himalayan tragedy and its impact on entire humanity, Nepal should be able to utilize it to chart out actionable measures to face climate catastrophe.
Himalaya is the world’s water tower, creating favorable atmosphere for billions of people and numerous of ecosystem downwards. The Himalayan tragedy is not only the plights of Solukhumbu nor of upper Karnali but of southern plains and even to the countries stretching to the sea. This pressing issue has already been reiterated by our Head of State, Head of Government, Foreign Minister, Environment Minister and political leaders in the national and international forums including the UN.
Even the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, had closely observed our Himalayas and fading snow in his last visit and resonated Nepal’s cry for help in the UN climate event, COP. International community is aware that Nepal is facing unprecedented challenges, so it is time to secure their concrete assistance as promised in several occasions and programmes.
In this connection, the line minister in an interview to a national daily himself admitted that it had been difficult to secure climate fund under the loss and damage scheme as discussed in the COP, so collaboration approach would be bolstered further.
At a time when the climate and environment agenda are globally losing political favour with the rise of protectionist politics, regional conflicts, divided interests of big powers, and continuous yearning for becoming super power by the industrial countries, securing financial assistance to Nepal’s initiatives to cope with climate crisis is indeed easier said than done.
Improve domestic fronts
Considering these realities featured with fund crunch, Nepal has no option but to explore the domestic fronts- utilizing the available resources, harnessing indigenous knowledge and skills, creating massive public literacy on climate issues, curbing corruption, striking balance in the environment and development works, preparing climate and environment campaigners and activists, fostering togetherness among diverse stakeholders including private sectors and business entities, enhancing youth engagement and digital innovation, and recognizing locally-driven initiatives, among others.
It is also an opportunity for Nepal to make serious reflection on the past activities and make correction accordingly. Continuation of dependency on foreign assistance is not salutation either. Building togetherness among government, academic and research institutions, locals, digital innovators, businesspersons and private sectors is equally imperative to build synergy in action- the actionable solution.
When it comes to the local initiatives, the First National Bamboo Conference held in February in Khotang district this year is a laudable work. The Conference held in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality of Khotang district had decided to establish a bamboo museum and identify Khotang district as the bamboo capital. The three-day conference also issued a 35-point ‘Khotang Declaration’. It underlined the need of utilizing local resources and avoiding use of plastic- a horrible invention turned rogue.
As the news like plastic pollution is on rise in the pristine Sagarmatha region come frequently in media, can’t we promote the local best practice of Khotang in Sagarmatha region as well? Does Sagarmatha Sambaad pay heed to this issue?
Importantly, the ‘polluters’ pay principle’ must be enforced strictly. It is often argued that irrespective of the country in any geography and of any development stage, the politics there is influenced by the industrialists. If the esurient activities of the rich industrialists are checked from environmental lens, it would be a huge relief to the people bearing the brunt of climate change. Going beyond the fines and tax on pollution, the Nepal government can mull the climate tax. The climate tax can be mooted in a way it encourages fair business keeping human welfare in centre rather than prioritizing accumulation of capital in handful of people and businesses. The Sagarmatha Sambaad should not be limited to information sharing but mulling such additional moves for the welfare of humanity.
Undoubtedly, Nepal has talked much on climate change and its impact on multiple sectors ranging from food and agriculture to health, to which many have showed solidarity. However, substantial assistance for climate justice is still elusive. At the receiving end of climate crisis with disproportionate impact on the one hand and inadequate assistance on the other, the Sagarmatha Sambaad can be utilized to create moral pressure on those most responsible within and out of the country behind the global problems- environmental degradation and climate change. Irrespective of the commitments in national, regional and global forums, we must not avoid the responsibility: act more, talk less.
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