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SPOTLIGHTFORTNIGHTLY Notes From The Editor

Vol.:Vol.: 14,13, No.-12,No.-11, February-12,January- 24, 20202021 (Magh.(Magh 30.10.2076) 2077) PricePrice: NRs.100NRs. 100 RequestingThe hearing Indian on governmentthe dissolution to lift of the House restriction of Editor and Publisher Representativesput on palm oil export,is continuing Nepal government in the constitution has shown -its Keshab Poudel alweakness bench of to thetraders Supreme who have Court. been Factions thriving andof Nepalmaking Communistprofits through Party the (NCP),misuse Nepaliof trade agreement’sCongress and loopholes. oth- Contributor erInstead fringe of parties restricting are organizingthis kind of the short political term business,rallies Sabine Pretsch termingthis request the willdecision boost asthe unconstitutional. morale of traders andGiven business the waycommunity the court who is hasconducting hardly shown hearing interest and inits sustainedproce- Design/Layout and long-term industrialization of Nepal. With this kind Sahil Mokthan, 9863022025 dures, it is unlikely that it will make any decision beforeof backing, the second traders weekoften misusedof March. the Evenpreferential after treatthe - ments time and again to make individual gains. In the last Marketing Manager court’s verdict, it is unlikely that parties accept it three decades, Nepal and India have signed several trade Madan Raj Poudel easily,agreements particularly with preferential the faction treatments in ruling to Nepalese NCP. It prod is - Tel: 9841320517 likelyucts with for uscertain to see percentages more chaotic of local and valueunstable added. polit This- ical course in the coming days in Nepal. Although Nabin Kumar Maharjan aimed to promote industrialization in Nepal. By misusing we also look at various dimensions of political crisis Tel: 9841291404 this kind of preferential treatments to generate short term andbenefits, its way Nepal out ashas the neither lead seenstory, a longwe have term decidedand sustained to Editorial Office reportindustrialization on the air norpollution consistent of export.Kathmandu This was Valley not onlyas Kathmandu, Nepal ourapplied cover to story.India but For with the other last countriesmany years, as well. the In grow 1990s,- Tel: 977-1-4430250 ingNepalese air pollution traders ofexploited Kathmandu the markets Valley of has Germany raised anda E-mail globalUnited concern, States increasing for all differentthe volume stakeholders.of export of carpet How and- [email protected] ever,garment nothing under haspreferential materialized treatment. to bringOnce thedown period the of preferential treatment came to an end, they collapsed. In P.O.Box: 7256 level of pollution. With the weakness in the execu- 1996, India opened all the markets to Nepalese products Website tion of Environment Act and failing to regulate the www.spotlightnepal.com with preferential treatments for many products. Nepalese pollutiontraders and related business industries, communities including invested brick in Vegetable kilns Kathmandu DAO Regd. No. andGhee vehicles, with very Kathmandu nominal local valley’s components. air pollution Some traders is 148/11/063/64 likelymade tobillions increase individually further. Worse,but it has the not growing made any level long Central Region Postal Regd. ofterm dust contribution in the air to is Nepal. another Even issue. recently, Given Nepalese the cur trad- - No. 36/067/068 renters havestate, started Clean to Energy increase Nepal, export a ofNGO palm working oil using inthe environmentalloopholes of preferential sector, has treatment. been taking However, the initiative it came to US Library of Congress Catalogue withan end the following support fromthe new World restrictions. Health ThisOrganization. is what the No. 91-905060, ISSN : 2091-0711 Wecurrent discuss cover various issue has issues tried related to look toat. air pollution in (Print), ISSN: 2091-0754 (Online) Nepal. We also express happy Valentine Day with Printing this issue. Megha Offset Printing Press P. Ltd., Dhapasi, Kathmandu Tel. : 977-1-4363624

Keshab Poudel Editor

NEWNEW SPOTLIGHT | FebJan. 12. 24. 2021 2020 | 1 1 CONTENT

REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST In Educational Settings 3

NEWSNOTES 4

BUSINESS BRIEF 6

OPINION

Dipak Gyawali 8 COVERSTORY: KATHMANDU VALLEY :Pollution Proportion 26

POLITICS No Return 10

PRITHVI BAHADUR PANDE Committed For Cause 14

ENVIRONMENT Batu Uprety 15

REVIEW Rishi Gupta 17

NEPAL-INDIA-CHINA On Nepal, India And China 19

NATIONAL SECURITY National Priority 24 NEPAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY: Inauguration Spree 20

COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPIAGN First Success 31

VIEWPOINT Novela Acharya 34

ARITICLE Hemang Dixit 36

SINDHULI ROAD: Rehabilitation Complete 23

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 2 REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST In Educational Settings Empowering people to reflect on the root causes and repercussions of hate crimes is essential By A CORRESPONDENT

very year on January 27, the United dinator, Ms. Sara Beysolow Nations honours the victims of the Nyanti said “remembering EHolocaust by reaffirming its unwa- accurately and teaching vering commitment to counter anti-Semit- about the Holocaust is vital ic, racist and other forms of intolerance. in countering hatred. This This year also UN observed the has never been more im- International Day of Commemoration In portant than today, a time Memory Of The Victims Of The Holo- when antisemitism, bigotry caust in UN building reminding the world and racism are rising with horror and inhuman act against humanity. devastating and violent con- Although almost over seven sequences for people and the victims of the Holocaust. Six million decades have passed, horror and terror communities. Jews were murdered by Hitler and his col- committed against human beings still “Through our week-long virtual laborators because of ideology that could haunts the minds of people. Over five outreach program, I call on all generations not respect the other and could not appre- million people of a particular community especially youth to use your voice to stand ciate tolerance.” were killed in a horrific manner. up for human rights, challenge discrimina- He also said, “The message for With the support of Higher In- tion and antisemitism byremembering the us today is that we all must denounce all stitutions and Secondary Schools’ Associ- need to foster tolerance, solidarity and em- forms of Racism and Antisemitism and ation Nepal (HISSAN) and V4Action Vol- pathy,” Ms Nyanti added. most important: we must remember! Re- unteers – the online volunteering network This year’s International Day of member the victims and all those that of youth established by the UN in Nepal, Commemoration in Memory of the Vic- courageously stood against the evil of the the virtual outreach program on Holocaust tims of the Holocaust is being celebrated Nazi ideology.” has set a target to reach out to more than 35 under the theme, “Facing the Aftermath: During the memorial ceremony, hundred youth from 7 provinces of Nepal Recovery and Reconstitution after the six candles representing the six million within a week’s time. Holocaust.” It focuses on the measures victims of the Holocaust were lit followed On the occasion of the Interna- taken by people in the aftermath of the by an observance of one-minute of silence. tional Day of Commemoration in Memory Holocaust to begin the process of recov- On the occasion, German Am- of the Victims of the Holocaust, the United ery and reconstitution of individuals, com- bassador to Nepal Roland Schäfer said, Nations Nepal together with the Embas- munity, and systems of justice. The theme “As a German, I am still haunted by the sy of Germany, the Embassy of Israel, encourages a discussion of how measures faces of my missing Jewish brothers and the Delegation of the European Union to taken in the past could contribute in how sisters. Those who are not there, who could Nepal (EU) and Higher Institutions and we rebuild societies today. not finish their lives, have children and Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal Resonating with the global continue, are as important to us as those (HISSAN) initiated a week-long educa- theme, the outreach program will highlight who survived. No family, no country, no tional outreach program on Holocaust with the significance of standing up for justice society can live while forgetting the ones the youth of seven provinces in Nepal. to stop the rise of antisemitism and racism, who are missing. That’s why this week is The outreach program began including in the context of theCOVID-19 so important, also in Nepal.” with a memorial ceremony hosted by the pandemic, during which we have seen EU Ambassador to Nepal Nona United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. a rise in hate speech and stigmatization Deprez said, “Today millions in Nepal Sara Beysolow Nyanti, at the UN House. against the COVID-19 patients and their and all around the world remember those The ceremony- organized following COV- family members. It will emphasize our millions who lost their lives in the most ID-19 safety protocols -was attended by collective need to stand up against injus- horrible event of history. Ensuring this their excellencies the Ambassadors of tice and say “never again”. genocide is not forgotten, and educating Germany and Israel and the Head of the After reciting the Yizkor prayer new generations on the responsibilities EU in Nepal. in honor of all those who suffered during of citizenship, care and engagement, are Speaking at the memorial cere- the Shoah, the Ambassador for Israel, crucial for preventing such atrocity from mony, the United Nations Resident Coor- Hanan Goder said, “Today we remember happening again in the future.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 3 NEWSNOTES China To Deliver 500000 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine system to keep the structures functional. Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi has an- nounced that China will pro- Pakistan Embassy Reception For Nepali Winter K2 vide 500,000 doses of COV- Ascent Team ID-19 vaccine to Nepal on The Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal hosted a recep- a grant basis and stated that tion in the honour of Nepali Winter K2 Ascent Team, who China would accord priority recently scaled K2. to Nepal in vaccine coopera- It is for the first time in history that the “Savage tion. Mountain” has been successfully scaled in winter, setting a Minister for For- new world record. eign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Speaking on the Gyawali and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Af- occasion, Ambassador-des- fairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi held a ignate Syed Haider Shah telephonic conversation and discussed this and matters of congratulated the Nepalese mutual interest. climbers and praised their Minister for Foreign Affairs Gyawali thanked the extraordinary success, a Chinese Government for the support of COVID-19 vaccine press release of the embassy and appreciated China’s stance to make it global public of Pakistan read. good. Recalling the his- tory, Ambassador Shah said Japanese Assistance For DRR Project In Chitwan that the previous six attempts to scale the world’s second The Gov- highest peak in winter had unfortunately ended in failure. ernment of Japan He commended the exemplary courage, tenacity and team- has extended US work of the Indigenous Himalayan climbers in overcoming dollars 707,953 the odds and setting a new world record, according to the (about NRs 82.6 embassy press release. million), to SHAP- Ambassador Shah presented souvenirs to the LA NEER - Citi- teams’ leaders Nirmal Purja and Mingma Gyalje Sherpa. zens’ Committee in Japan for Over- U.S Ambassador Berry Calls On COAS General Thapa seas Support, un- U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Randy W. Berry has der the Grant As- paid a courtesy call to Chief sistance for Japanese NGO Projects Schemes. of Army Staff General Purna Shapla Neer, an international NGO based in Ja- Chandra Thapa at Nepal Army pan, will work with a Nepali partner NGO, Rural Recon- Headquarters. struction Nepal (RRN), to implement the Disaster Risk Re- During the meeting duction (DRR) Strengthening Project in Chitwan District. COAS General Thapa and A grant contract relating to the project was signed ambassador Berry discussed and exchanged on 5 February 2021 by Saigo Masamichi, the issue related to bilateral Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ms. Katsui Hiromi, interest and relations between Country Representative, Shapla Neer Nepal Office at the the two countries. Nepal Embassy of Japan in Nepal. Army expressed the hope that this type of a regular meeting The grant assistance will be used to strengthen will help to further strengthen the relations between the two community resilience to disasters in Madi Municipality, a countries. flood prone area in Chitwan District. The project will coordinate closely with local gov- Israeli Embassy In Kathmandu Celebrates Tu Bishvat ernment, stakeholders and community members to achieve Planting Tree the following major elements: Israeli Holiday, Tu Bishvat (The New Year for the Trees) Was Marked at the Embassy With Happy Birthday Establishment and maintenance of infrastructure: The Trees project will support construction of river widening, ga- The Embassy of Israel celebrated the Jewish fes- bions, and embankments, as well as retention walls and tival, “Tu Bishvat (The New Year for the Trees)” on 28 Jan drainage systems. CDMCs will establish the maintenance 2021 at the Embassy garden. Marking the importance of nature in our lives and its conservation, a Swami Tree was planted, as a symbolic act of celebrating nature, goodness

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 4 NEWSNOTES and promoting ecolog- in Sindhupalchowk District, Salambu in Kavre District and ical awareness. Each Puttar in Tanahun District. Similarly, a consortium of Korea tree is considered to Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) and Yonsei Univer- have its birthday on Tu sity has been selected as the Project Management Consultancy B’Shvat. (PMC) during September 2020. On this day, trees are planted all Embassy Of India Celebrates 72nd Republic Day around Israel. It is also Embassy of India Kathmandu celebrated the 72nd an educational day for Republic Day of India organizing various programs. The children as it is custom- celebrations began with hoisting of the national flag by ary to take children on tree-planting outings. There is a custom Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra who then read out the to eat fruit like figs, dates, grapes and also nuts. This custom is message of the President of India on the occasion. a carry-over from Jewish life in the Diaspora - when fresh fruits The Ambassador felicitated from Israel were not available. Veer Nari, war widows and next of Forests and Environment Minister Prem Bahadur kins of deceased soldiers by disbursing Ale graced the tree plantation ceremony. He was accom- their dues worth NRs. 3.68 crore and panied by Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary at the Ministry of a blanket to each. The Embassy also Forests and Environment. gifted books to 50 libraries and educa- Expressing views on the importance of plantation, tional institutions spread across all the the Minister said, “Survival is not possible without plants. provinces of Nepal. What Israel is doing in agriculture and forestry is exemplary. Later in the day, the Am- We are thankful to the Government of Israel for its expertise bassador hosted a reception at India shared and support in the field of agriculture.” House. Foreign Minister of Nepal, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali graced the KOICA Provides $ 4.7M For Empowerment Of Rural occasion as the Chief Guest. Communities On the occasion India-Nepal Alumni Network ‘Sam- KOICA has initiated a project to Empower Rural park’ along with website www.samparkbharatnepal.com was Communities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to launched by former President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav in Health and Income Growth. the presence of other distinguished alumni. Park Chong-suk, Ambassador of the Republic of Ko- The event was attended by prominent leaders, rea to Nepal, and Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint Secretary of the officials, artists, journalists and public personalities who have Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a Memorandum of Under- studied in India. They were felicitated for their significant con- standing (MoU) for the project “Empowering Rural Commu- tribution to strengthening people-to-people links between India nities in Nepal through an Integrated Approach to Health and and Nepal. Income Growth. According to a press release issued by KOICA, the Japanese Assistance For New Classrooms In Jhapa total budget of the project is US$ 4.7 million and it will be for The Charge d’Affaires a.i. of Japan to Nepal. Yoshioka a period of five years. Yuzo signed a grant contract with Khagendra Bahadur Lamjel, The Record of Discussion (RoD) for the project was Principal of Shree Laxmi Narayan Secondary School, for build- signed between the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) ing classrooms at the Shree Laxmi Narayan Secondary School and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on in Jhapa District. 24th of July, 2020. The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for The main goal of this project is to improve the liv- Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese ing standard of community people through enhanced access to Government and involves a grant of about NPR 13.8 million. outreach centers, participatory health and rural development At the signing ceremony, Yoshioka said he hoped that programs, and income generation opportunities. The project the project would contribute to improve the educational environ- has set 3 outputs i.e. increased income, improved health and ment in Shivasatakshi Municipality where the school is located. increased community capacity of communities of project areas. The Shree Laxmi Narayan Secondary School, a public In the partnership with the Dhulikhel Hospital - school, was established in 1967 and offers schooling from early Kathmandu University child development level to the 12th Hospital (DH-KUH) grade. The project is expected to the project will be im- support improvements in education plemented in its out- for children of communities that do reach centers namely; not currently have enough educa- Manekharka and Hindi tional facilities.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 5 BUSINESS BRIEF Hitendra Dev Shakya Appointed As The MD Of NEA Nepal And France Second Bilateral Consultation Mech- For every NEA employees, anism Meet Concluded everyone aspires to be managing direc- The second meeting tor, However, only a few gets such op- of the Nepal-France Bilateral portunity to lead Nepal’s largest public Consultation Meeting (BCM) utility. Hitendra Dev Shakya is one of took place virtually with the few NEA’s cadet get opportunity to France as the host. The Nepali lead the orgnisation. delegation was led by Nirmal Although his predecessor Kul Raj Kafle, Joint Secretary and Man Ghishing was also a groomed in NEA, there was general- Head of Europe and the Amer- ly trend to make political appointment as well. By appointing icas division at the Ministry Shakya as MD, the government gives continuity to promote of Foreign Affairs, and the NEA’s employee at top. French delegation was led by Bertrand Lortholary, head of As a person who knows ins and out of NEA, Shak- Asia and Oceania division at the French Ministry for Eu- ya can make a lot of difference to the organization taking the rope and Foreign Affairs. decision at the right time. However, it is not easy to for him Besides the bilateral issues, regional and multi- given a lot of vested interested around NEA. lateral cooperation were also part of the BCM. Focus was The Cabinet meeting held on Monday appointed Hi- on the regional processes (SAARC, BIMSTEC, French tendra Dev Shakya as the chief of the Authority. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region) among others. As Ne- Before appointment as acting MD, Shakya leading pal and France have been collaborating together on various NEA Engineering Company. Ministry of Energy, Water Re- international forums with many shared agendas and posi- sources and Irrigation appointed his as the acting chief of the tions, matters related to climate change and the upcoming NEA on November 9, last year. Sagarmatha Sambaad, UN Peacekeeping operations, future The top post at the authority has been vacant since of multilateralism and the upcoming Generation Equality the retirement of Ghising, who is largely credited for bringing Forum in Paris etc. also figured prominently in the discus- decades-long load-shedding in the country to an end. Ghising sions. was appointed to the top post of NEA in 2016. The French delegation also comprised of François-Xavier Léger (French Ambassador to Nepal), and UK Committed To Continue Support To Nepal Leela Devaradjalou (Deputy Chief of Mission) whereas the Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Nepali delegation comprised of senior officials from the Gyawali held a virtual meeting Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Tour- with the Lord Ahmad, State ism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Finance, the Civil Minister of Foreign, Common- Aviation Authority of Nepal etc. wealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, today. Nepal Top Recipient Of India Aid During the meeting, various The Indian govern- matters relating to Nepal-UK ment through its union budget bilateral relations and coopera- for fiscal year 2021-22 allocated tion were discussed. IRs9.92 billion [Rs15.87 billion] While appreciating to Nepal. the British cooperation to the COVAX facility through which Indian Finance Minister developing countries including Nepal are benefited, Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Gyawali stressed on the importance of concerted efforts at the the budget in Parliament. The bilateral and multilateral levels to address common challenge grant pledged by the Indian gov- faced by humanity. Minister Lord Ahmad expressed com- ernment for Nepal is the second mitment to continued development partnership with Nepal highest among South Asian countries. It is, however, lower in various sectors, including the fight against the COVID-19 than what India had provided to Nepal in 2019-20. pandemic. Bhutan stood at the top of countries receiving In- The two sides also exchanged views on the pressing issue dian grants. According to grants and loans to foreign gov- of climate change. Minister Gyawali reiterated Nepal’s desire to work ernments under the Finance Ministry expenditure profile with the United Kingdom and other partner countries towards preserv- for 2021-22, Bhutan has been allocated financial assistance ing mountain ecosystem and reducing impacts of climate change. of IRs30.04 billion. During the meeting, the two Ministers agreed tofurther Of the total financial assistance portfolio to strengthening and widening the multidimensional Nepal-UK relations. Bhutan, IRs21.24 billion has been allocated as grant and IRs8.80 billion as loan.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 6 BUSINESS BRIEF HBL Enables Govt Revenue Payment From Its Mobile Ramesh Prasad Singh, Secretary, Banking App Ministry of Urban Development. Himalayan Bank Limited has become the first “The project complements the bank to use National Payments Interface (NPI) for Govern- Government of Nepal’s existing ment revenue collection from Mobile Banking by enabling programs and deepens the en- the feature of revenue payments to Government of Nepal gagement on urban development from February 01, 2021. This allows the bank’s customers through the establishment of to initiate Government revenue and tax payments with the dedicated funding for strategic convenience of Mobile Banking App. The Bank has ex- urban infrastructure in the tar- tended the channel of NCHL’s NPI to integrate and process geted cities.” such transactions. The 17 project municipalities are located in two Himalayan Bank has been providing real-time strategic urban clusters in the eastern region (Provinces 1 online fund transfer through its Mobile Banking channel and 2) and western region (Gandaki and Lumbini Prov- using the underlying system of Connect IPS. This Govern- inces). The selected municipalities are critical to Nepal’s ment revenue payment has now been extended as additional economic development and are centers for commercial and services, which is expected to administrative activities in those regions. The project will help customers and GoN for also support 12 additional municipalities across Nepal’s enhancing the service delivery seven provinces for labor intensive public works activities, for revenue collection. The as well as supporting four municipalities for capacity build- customer can use the revenue ing. Of the total credit, about 95 percent is allocated to the related EBP No. in the Mobile local levels. Banking to initiate such pay- “As part of the World Bank’s COVID-19 re- ment and the payment will sponse, the project will support over 20,000 of the most be made from the Bank’s ac- vulnerable and unemployed people at the local level to earn count and processed through at least 50 days of wages through the creation of temporary NPI for necessary connection employment opportunities in the maintenance and upgrad- with Government Revenue system. Apart from the Mobile ing of public infrastructure,” stated Faris Hadad-Zervos, Banking App of Connect IPS, the online revenue payments World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri can now be initiated from the Mobile Banking App of HBL, Lanka. “Working together with the government, develop- HI-MB. ment partners, and the private sector, the World Bank will aim to deliver results to strengthen federalism and capaci- Nepal, World Bank Launch Nepal Urban Governance ty of the targeted municipalities to the benefit of the local Project population.” Government of Nepal and the World Bank have Launched a $150 million Nepal Urban Governance and In- NIBL Ace Capital Launches New Service frastructure Project. NIBL Ace Capital Ltd has launched an online de- The Project was jointly launched by the Secretary mat account opening service along with online Meroshare of Ministry of Urban Development, Dr. Ramesh Prasad registration for its valued customers. Singh, and Lada Strelkova, World Bank Operations Man- A wholly owned subsidiary of Nepal Investment ager for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Bank Ltd, NIBL Ace Capital Ltd, believes that this digital- The four-year project is financed by the World ised platform will be user-friendly and helps customers to Bank to promote sustainable urban development and to connect with the service of demat and Meroshare at their support post-COVID-19 economic recovery in strategic own convenience, as per a media release. secondary cities. Aligned with Nepal’s federalism prin- Earlier the company had also launched the online ciples and the National Urban Development Strategy, the purchase service of NIBL Sahabhagita Fund - an open end- $150 million project puts the municipalities at the forefront ed mutual fund. of project implementation with a focus on strengthening service delivery and institutional capacities in strategic secondary cities and supporting post-COVID-19 economic recovery through labor intensive public works. “In the context of rapid urbanization, federalism, and the pandemic, delivering better urban services and re- sponding to the needs of the population are critical. Giv- en the urgent needs, result-oriented implementation of the project is required at all levels of government,” stated Dr.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 7 OPINION Whither, Climate Change?

In seeing the Biden administration returning the US Industrialized North which funds such studies in to the Paris Accords and the appointment of John the Global South. We instead suffer from insecure Kerry as the US climate czar, is the heaving of a economic migration and political refugee deluge. sigh of relief by the global climate change commu- Compared to their scale and trauma, climate migra- nity not premature? There is a distinct danger, in tion (if it is happening at all) is a sideshow drop view of the incorrigible wickedness of the climate BY DIPAK GYAWALI in the bucket, impossible (as most studies on it problem and the bitter politics all proposed solu- admit) to untangle it from economic, political and tions are sure to be enmeshed in, that the complacency such disaster-related migrations. While the other victims require a sense of relief might generate within the environmental political action against concrete protagonists (abusive busi- civic movements will militate against the urgency of mean- nesses or brutal states), climate “refugees” must file prima- ingful solutions! ry case against Mother Nature and then secondarily against While a belated righting of a wrong that should nature-destroying industrial capitalism from the 19th Centu- never have happened – and which (with other such unilater- ry onwards. This is too tall a task and the unanswered ques- alism of the Trump regime) has severely dented America’s tion remains: in light of all the myriad, horrendous prob- image as a reliable rules-based player – is welcome, the lems of governance faced by the Global South, is climate state of global climate action at the UNFCC bureaucratic migration even an issue worth the time and effort? level is hardly sufficient to undo the planetary damage that The other example is Nepal’s recent submission is unfolding. Its measures are insufficient to arrest the -in of its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC2) 0 0 exorable global warming heading to 3 C or even 4 C, let to reduce CO2 emissions completed at the penultimate mo- alone remain limited to even 20C or get us to 1.50C. And the ment through INGO funding support in December 2020 rowdy Trumpian forces who maintain climate change is a while the country was under COVID-19 standstill. Its “hoax” meant to damage their fossil fuel-addicted economy breath-taking banality can be seen glaringly in four areas. will politically continue to shackle any Green initiatives the First, NDC1 of October 2016 failed rather dramatically, US can take. with the commitments to increase electric vehicles (EVs) Against this sombre backdrop, the Nepal chapter on Nepali roads to 20% by 2020. Not only was the actual of Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) and its achievement hovering around near zero in 2020, this gov- Delhi-based secretariat met in Kathmandu on 1st February ernment, to add insult to injury, slapped massive taxes on to take stock of climate action in Nepal as well as more them, thus essentially pricing them out of the market. It also generally. The picture is not pretty. As co-chair of CANSA promised to reduce fossil fuel dependency by 50% in 2050 (my other co-chair is Abid Suleri of SDPI/Pakistan), I had but indications of the last five years since the 2016 commit- to bring to notice the fact that, since the path-breaking pub- ments are that its consumption has near doubled as has im- lication “Global Warming in an Unequal World” in 1991 ported coal-generated electricity over nationally produced by Anil Agarwal and Sunita Narain, South Asia has lagged hydro that is allowed to be spilled and wasted. No review behind in creative initiatives of both ideas and actions. Its of this failure, let alone lessons learnt, extracted and appro- governments’ lacklustre participation in climate forums al- priate corrective measures instituted, was done in NDC2! most smack of mere junketeering and its many environmen- Second, with all this actual fossil dependency tal NGOs only follow Wester donor leads. What Southern on the increase, NDC2 promises to increase the “sales” of environmental NGOs need to do is to put our signature im- EV by 25% in 2025 with no plan to replace or phase out print on our collective initiatives and not just rubber-stamp petrol and diesel vehicles, or to promote electric ropeways agendas handed down from the North. This was discussed in the hills to prevent “bulldozer terrorism” of landslides at the last CANSA annual general meeting in Nagarkot; and from badly constructed roads. Third, in a blatant display of Nepal did produce its own (rather damning) assessment of meaningless tokenism, it promises action plan for gender the State of Climate Action in Nepal 2018 but oth- inclusiveness GESI – by 2030! What could possibly be pre- er countries have yet to show such independent efforts. venting Nepal government from coming out with a GESI Take two examples, the first being climate mi- action plan in a month? It certainly should be less difficult gration which has overtones of security paranoia for the than building two hydropower plants back to back which

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 8 OPINION can be done in this time period! whole climate movement was taking a wrong turn, that Finally, the most damning indictment is a sentence average global temperature rise really tells us very little, at the start of its list of targets. In a blatant display of the that we need to worry more about the increase in energy lack of any sense of commitment to the urgency of meet- content of the atmosphere to understand extremes such as ing the climate change challenge, it states that Nepal’s NDC targets are “conditional upon international support”, i.e., we need about $25 billion to do these things but will only spend $3.4 billion ourselves and you in- ternational folks bet- ter cough up the rest if you want us to do anything meaningful! What a shameless dis- play of fund-raising blackmail to say noth- ing of a lack of seri- ousness. Indeed, one hears that core min- istries such as those of transport stayed away from these cloudburst and polar vortex swings. The climate problem, consultations, putting a question mark on the relevance of after all, was created by the energy sector but it is the water such an NDC2 document. sector through which humanity is going to feel the impact If disasters are mostly from social shortcomings, and where solutions have to be found. But sadly, the water it is the social sciences that should be looking at climate sector has not come up with its definition of the climate change more seriously. Such an effort happened seriously problem and what should be done about it. for the first (and sadly almost last) time a quarter of a cen- It is with such qualms that I look at South Asia’s tury ago, with the US Department of Energy funded and climate community that is currently unable to come up with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory conducted - 4-vol a unique signature South Asian response and where sadly ume 1998 study Human Choice and Climate Change. I was there is an unthinking knee-jerk response to attribute even one of the advisory board members together with eminent normal weather and other anomalies to climate change. folks such as former US defence secretary and World Bank Where would such a rethinking of climate change policy president Robert McNamara as well as Thomas Schelling have to emerge from, including from a water perspective? who much later in 2005 won the Nobel Prize in economics. It is my hunch that the concept of water and energy foot- The study described climate change as a “wick- prints as well as the nexus approach are going to be foun- ed problem”, multidisciplinary and exceedingly complex dational to new environmentalism in the first half of the where let alone solutions, there is little agreement on even 21st Century. the definition of the problem by social solidarities such as And that is also where traditional storage/harvest- bureaucratic hierarchism, market individualism or activist ing technologies of water, food and energy will have to be civic egalitarianism. All of them are partly right and partly wrong in their own specific ways. Targets and timetables, re-visited. They range from quanats, stone water spouts however, are too top-down and hierarchic (and inconsid- and brushwood dams in the mountains to ponds and baudis erate of other ways of thinking and defining the problem) in the plains; low water consuming food and their preser- to do justice to the plurality of local experiences and adap- vation techniques, which are being lost to modern bland tive capabilities. As a result, social and institutional lim- ‘McDonaldization’; and unique building and clothing its to global sustainability in climate action will have been styles that either preserve heat or help dissipate them. They reached long before natural/physical limits will have been have all evolved within our hydro-ecology as technologies arrived at. with lower water/energy footprints and nexused with other I remember my long coffee conversations in Ox- critical societal endeavours. It is in rediscovering them and ford with the main investigator of this study, the late Steve improving upon them that we may find our salvation in the Rayner in mid-November 2019. He was worried that the face of the unfolding climate pollution disaster.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 9 POLITICS No Return With the division of Nepal Communist Party deeply intensifying, it seems that the crisis is heading towards a point of no return

By KESHAB POUDEL

CP-Prachanda-Nepal faction tions in May,” said PM Oli. NCP with the Sun symbol. “They are a leader Pushpakamal Dahal Since the dissolution of bunch of bad people who are interest- Nhas threatened that forthcom- House of Representatives and filing ed in power rather than in serving the ing elections are unacceptable for him the petition in the apex court, two fac- interest of party workers and the coun- and stressed the revival of the dis- tions of ruling NCP have been hold- try,” said Oli, who controls the party solved House of Representatives as ing big rallies across the country and office used by unified NCP. the only way out. conducting the orientation training for In his statements, Prachanda Despite facing a defamation their cadres. has been accusing PM Oli as a fake case in the apex court for his statement As both the factions are communist and his faction as merely against a sub-judice case, Prachanda claiming that their faction represents a group of splinter. “All original com- has been harping on the refrain that genuine NCP and Elections Commis- munist leaders are with us and we are he will accept the verdict of revival of sion has declined to recognize either of genuine representatives of original dissolved house. the faction as legitimate, ruling NCP is NCP,” thundered Prachada in his re- “Given the current situation, still a unified party in legal terms. cent meeting in Kathmandu. it is impossible to hold the elections in Prime Minister Oli said Pra- Despite their claim as orig- May and the House of Representatives chanda-Nepal led NCP is merely a inal party, the Election Commission can still provide alternative govern- bunch of anti-communist movement has not recognized either of them. In ment, verdict in favor of the dissolu- group claiming his faction is original its recent decision, the EC said that tion will be politically disastrous,” said Prachanda in his recent public rally. However, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who is also facing a defamation charge for speaking against a sub-judice case, has already made clear that the election is the only way out to settle the political crisis. “Since the recommendation of the dissolution of House of Repre- sentative is made by a prime minister with two thirds of majority and there is no possibility to form other alternative government from the existing House of Representatives, there will be elec-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 10 POLITICS

none of the groups applied to split the Although there is a consti- er of House of Representatives and party, there is only one NCP now. The tutional provision under which prime vice president back Prachanda-Nepal commission has also made it clear that minister can recommend the dissolu- faction and they regard chairman of election commission cannot split the tion following two months, there is a National Assembly and President are party. wide opposition against the constitu- pro-Oli. Encouraged by the decision tional moves. Speaker Agni Prasad Sapko- of Election Commission, PM Oli’s Except Nepali Congress and ta, a staunch Maoist, who filed a case group holds the view that EC favors Janta Samajbadi Party, which have against the recently appointed heads them. In legal terms, PM Oli is elected publicly said that they will accept the and members of Constitutional bodies, chairman of the party and only a gen- verdict of the court, NCP factions and has already indicated that he even does eral convention can replace his lead- a group of civil society members, who not bother to call the session of the dis- ership. were part of the current change under solved house to oust PM Oli. Although both the parties 12 points agreement, have reserva- In his petition to Supreme hold the view that the dissolution of tions over the court’s decision. Court, Speaker Sapkota has said that House of Representatives is uncon- Even four former Chief Jus- all the actions of prime minister and stitutional, Nepali Congress and Ja- tices of Supreme Court, who are now president are against the spirit of the nata Samajbadi Party have declined to facing a defamation case in the court constitution and mandate of the peo- launch a joint struggle against Oli-led are speaking on a petition which is in ple. government and side with Prachanda the hearing of the court, have openly Vice President Nanda and Nepal faction. challenged the dissolution order. Kishore Pun has already expressed his Coming Scenario Given the stand taken by Pra- displeasure over president absenting As the hearing of the consti- chanda-Nepal led factions, civil soci- the public functions held in President’s tution in the five member constitution- ety and others, any decision, whether Office recently. All these indicate that al bench of apex court continues for to restore the house or accept the elec- the scenario looks bleak. almost a month, it is unlikely that the tion, will likely face resistance. The possible outlook court will deliver the verdict before Following the dissolution of Various scenarios are likely first week of March given the lengthy the House of Representatives, there is to occur following the court verdict. procedure and complexity of constitu- a vertical split in the NCP. This has also However, the future will be directed tional issue involved in it. divided the top ranks as well. Speak- by politics rather than justice and ju-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 11 POLITICS

dicial procedures. After the verdict of Dhungana and others, will call for agi- If what speaker Sapktoa has the court, the court will have to bear tation along lines of Nepal Communist already indicated in saying that he will all the shock. Party Prachanda and Nepal faction. not mind to summon the Dissolved If the constitutional bench Former speaker Dhungana House of Representatives to oust PM interprets the constitution favoring is also facing a defamation case in the Oli happens, Sapkota-chaired House dissolution, a big bunch of civil soci- Supreme Court for his recent contro- of Representatives can take any de- ety members, part of the political of versial statement that people will re- cision including removing President change of 2006-07 and Prachnda-Ne- ject the decision of the court in favor and installing Vice President as acting pal led NCP, will likely rebel with ag- of elections. president. This way there will be a ma- itation to overthrow PM KP. Sharma Although Nepali Congress jor constitutional breakdown. Oli, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Janata Samajbadi Party officially Second scenario and others. said that they will abide by the verdict If the court revives the Dr. Govinda K.C led civil of the court, they will also face a di- House of Representatives, Prime Min- society group which includes former lemma. At a time when a faction in NC ister Oli will still be the leader of the finance minister Dr. Devendra Raj and Janata Samajbadi Party are calling party and he is responsible to summon Pandey, former speaker Daman Nath for people’s movement against Oli the house. Until other factions oust led faction, they him from parliamentary leadership will likely see a and party chair, Oli will be the legit- split. Dr Babu- imate leader. ram Bhattarai is In case PM Oli delays the currently against session, it is likely, Sapkota will use the decision of his unconstitutional power of sum- establishment moning the house and removing Prime not to join Pra- Minister Oli. “Parliament is a sover- chada-Nepal eign body and represents the collec- faction. Ram tive sovereignty of people. The Prime Chandra Poud- Minister cannot dissolve it without its el and Krishna consent. This House of Representa- Prasad Sitaula tives is different from the previous are pressing NC one,” said speaker Sapkota. to side with Pra- In this case, PM Oli’s sup- chanda-Nepal. porters will definitely call a stir as Pra-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 12 POLITICS chanda and Nepal group would do in and became case of elections. Given the current re- one party. sentment expressed against president Ne- and Chief Justice, Prachanda-Nepal pal’s polit- faction may register impeachment mo- ical history tion against them. To prevent this sit- is full of uation, PM Oli will take his decision. strange and The current tripartite struggle unbelieva- among two factions of Nepal Commu- ble alliances nist Party backed by a section of civil and rivalries. society with a tacit support from a Starting from section of leaders of Nepali Congress BP Koirala and Janata Smajbadi Nepal Party will and Matrika further create constitutional chaos and Koirala, two disorder. brothers, cur- Safe Landing rent bitter ri- Former minister and Prachan- The division in ruling Nepal valry between Oli and Prachanda-Ne- da-Nepal faction leader Ghanashyam Communist Party-NCP has already in- pal is not new. In a similar way, one Bhusal has already predicted the fu- tensified up to the province and grass cannot rule out the possibility of uni- ture political scenario with possibility root level and it looks the unity is im- ty of two factions again, blaming the of involvement of a neutral third party possible. However, politics is a game outside forces or regressive group, for in mediation. of possibility and nothing can be ruled their disunity. “Coming few weeks are very out. Such a unity of the two fac- dangerous in Nepali politics. Our fu- CPN-UML unified following tions will be a better way out to avoid ture will be more difficult in case PM almost five years of split. CPN-UML a major breakdown of the constitution Oli continues in power,” said Bhusal and Maoist Party, die-hard rivals of and political order. In case, it goes out addressing the party meeting in Jhapa. the communist movement in Nepal, of hand and civil society and internal Under the present scenario, merged to become one and secured political forces are taking one side every coming move looks dangerous two thirds majority defeating Nepali against the other, Nepal will need to and the politics will likely see a hard Congress badly in the last elections. seek a neutral force from outside to landing. In that situation, everything is Nepali Congress split and later unified mediate the stalemate. possible including the breakdown of constitutional order.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 13 PRITHVI BAHADUR PANDE Committed For Cause

By A CORRESPONDENT

Felicitating and honoring the world’s record holders, the ten members of Mt. K2 Nepali climbing team, Nepal Investment Bank Ltd chairman Prithvi Bahadur Pande has once again shown his commitment to encourage Nepa- lese who contribute for the cause of Nepal. Whenever identity and pres- tige of Nepal is attached, NIBL Chair- person Pande jumps to the forefront. This is the reason NIBL has made enormous financial contributions in preservation of heritage, culture and religious sites of Nepal. In a similar way, chairper- son Pande and NIBL have also been contributing to protect the mountains and persons involved in mountaineer- ing. Felicitating and honoring 10 K2 mountaineers, Pande has shown his interest in promoting such activities. senior managers held a felicitation ter. Our Nepali climbers achieved that Earlier, NIBL also support- program in honor of the ten Nepali feat on the 16th of January 2021 17:00 ed the Everest Cleanup campaign. In climbers. local time (12:00 GMT). conservation of Patan Durbar Square, The bank thanked the team Offering cash rewards and Pande personally and NIBL donated for making Nepal proud and hoped facilitating all the brave successful that the contribution will act as a moti- large portions of financial support. Nepali mountaineers, NIBL and its vation for further fantastic conquests. Similarly, NIBL has also been sup- chairman Pande have shown that the porting preservation of various cultur- Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. pride of nation is very much a matter al and religious sites in Pashupati and (NIBL) conducted an event at its head of love for them. other temples. office premises in honor of the Nepa- NIBL has provided big finan- lese team that successfully summited NIBL has been catering to cial support in the reconstruction of K2. A team of 10 Nepalese climbers its customers from 83 branches, 128 Bhimsen Temple in Patan, which was led by Nirmal Purja set a new world ATMs, 20 extension counters, 10 damaged by earthquake. record by becoming the first to reach revenue collection counters and 59 Continuing its tradition, Ne- the summit of K2, the world’s second branchless banking counters. The pal Investment Bank Ltd felicitated highest mountain, in winter. bank, being the recipient of five Banks and honored the ten Nepali climbers, With their ‘impossible’ of the Year awards for exemplary ser- summit of the world’s second-tallest who successfully scaled K2, the sec- vice and business, was accredited with ond highest mountain in the world, mountain, the ten Nepali climbers Euromoney awards for “Best Bank and presented them with a cheque of sent the national pride surging in the NPR 10,0000.00 ( Ten lakhs). Himalayas. Located in Pakistan and 2018” from the international publica- In line with CSR strategy, nicknamed “the savage mountain”, tion - Euromoney. Further, ICRA Ne- Chairman of Nepal Investment Bank K2 is considered the most demanding pal (International Credit Rating Agen- Ltd. (NIBL), Prithvi Bahadur Pandé mountain to conquer and was until cy- Nepal) has given the bank a credit alongside members of the board and now thought to be impossible in win- rating of A.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 14 ENVIRONMENT Commitment Towards GHGs Emission Reduction

One hundred and ninety Parties to the Paris lacking coping capacities and financial resourc- Agreement have submitted their first National- es such as LDCs will continue to be adversely ly Determined Contribution (NDC1). Of them, affected from climate change. LDCs are ‘low or several Parties have submitted updated NDC1 BY: BATU UPRETY non-emitters of GHGs’ but they need to adapt by the end of 2020. Eight Parties (Argentina, and build resilience to climate change impacts. Grenada, Marshal Island, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, The Adaptation Gap Report (2020) informs adoption of Suriname, Tonga and United Arab Emirates) submit- effective adaptation planning, stakeholder engagement ted second NDC (https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NDC- and horizontal integration along with significant gaps Staging/ Pages/All.aspx). Of the 47 LDCs, five Parties on adaptation finances. Since 2006, multilateral funding (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zambia) from Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund and Global have submitted updated NDC1 while Angola and Sene- Environment Facility is provided to nearly 400 adap- gal submitted NDC1, indicating only 8 LDCs respond- tation projects (half of which began after 2015). Many ed on decision 1/CP.21. In December 2020, the Prime projects targeted to climate vulnerable populations but Minister informed Nepal’s move ‘towards a zero-carbon there is ‘very limited evidence of climate risk reduc- economy’ and to ‘extend protected area from 23% to tion’, urging for effective interventions to address- cli 30% by 2030’. mate crisis. Bhutan - the chair of the LDC Coordination Climate change has progressively been a na- Group to UNFCCC for 2019 and 2020 - submitted its tional and international ‘political agenda’. It was an NDC1 on 19/09/2017. China and India have not sub- ‘election agenda in USA’. The Trump Administration mitted their updated NDC1 by 2020. The new US ad- notified the Depository (UN Secretary-General) on its ministration has ordered to update and submit its NDC. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and it was effec- The LDCs have insignificant GHGs emissions. The tive from November 2020. On 20 January 2021, Presi- NDC may contribute to promote low carbon econom- dent Joe Biden signed an executive order to re-enter the ic development pathway, clean and renewable energy, Paris Agreement and USA deposited its instrument of and climate-resilient development. The ‘C’ of the NDC acceptance to the Paris Agreement with its Depository stands for ‘contribution’ and in recent years it has turned on 20 January 2021. The Paris Agreement will enter into to ‘commitment’ and ‘compliance’ to reduce GHGs force for USA on 19 February 2021 as per the Article emissions. 21.3 (entry into force on 30th day after the date of depos- The GHGs emissions scenario in 1992 (adop- it) of the Agreement. It means, USA was not a Party to tion of UNFCCC) and 2016 (entry into force of the Paris Agreement) has changed. In 1992, about one-fourth of the total global GHGs emission was from US and now China has taken this position. In recent years, many countries have declared to be ‘carbon-neutral by 2050 or 2060’ which requires to reduce GHGs emissions sig- nificantly. An IPCC Special Report (2018) informs that ‘global warming is likely to reach 1.50C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate’. Accelerated use of ‘carbon-intensive fossil fuel’ and

CO2 & non-CO2 emissions will likely increase tempera- ture rise with corresponding adverse impacts on people, livelihood and life-supporting systems. Those countries

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 15 ENVIRONMENT the Paris Agreement for about 3.5 months and clearly in- tional Climate Task Force is also established to, inter dicates how a leader can change the situation. As USA is alia, prioritise action on climate change. The President a second largest GHGs emitter, this re-entry offers great- has directed agencies to make ‘evidence-based deci- er hope to effectively implement the Paris Agreement. sions’ guided by best available science and data. The following few paras focus on recent initiatives of The executive orders will freeze new oil and the US President to address climate crisis. gas leases on public lands and water, double offshore On 27 January 2021, US President Joe Biden wind energy by 2030, commit to ‘lead’ a global response has ordered to ‘put the climate crisis at the centre of US to the climate crisis, including conservation of at least foreign policy and national security’ and this signifies 30 percent of the federal lands and oceans. Several ad- the urgency of reducing GHG emissions and ensuring ditional commitments are made on climate change. This net-zero global emissions by mid-century or before. The sounds a very strong presidential commitment, on behalf Presidential Order aims to ‘exercise its leadership to of the US people and hence, 20 and 27 January 2021 are promote a significant increase in ambition to the climate big days for US commitment on climate change. challenge’. The President has committed to: (i) host Importantly, the US President has designated Leaders’ Climate Summit (probably on Earth Day, 22 former Secretary of State John Kerry, as presidential April 2021) to raise climate ambition and make positive climate envoy. On 9 December 2015, Mr. Kerry said, contribution to the CoP26 and beyond; (ii) reconvene Ma- millions of jobs would be created by investing on re- jor Economies Forum on Energy and Climate to pursue, newable energy to lower CO2 emissions. Mr. Kerry, one inter alia, green recovery efforts, advance clean energy of the architects of the Paris Agreement in 2015, signed and sectoral decarbonisation, and align financial flows the Agreement, on behalf of the US Government, on 22 with the objectives of the Paris Agreement; (iii) appoint April 2016 at UN Headquarters in New York. His ‘be- the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; (iv) enhance longingness’ to the Paris Agreement would direct for climate ambition and integration of climate considera- global mobilisation for its effective implementation. tions across international fora; (v) develop NDC under The US Ambassador to Nepal Mr. Randy Ber- the Paris Agreement; and (vi) develop climate finance ry informed US policies and priorities on climate change plan to assist developing countries in implementing am- to the Prime Minister Mr. K. P. Oli, leader of the Oppo- bitious emissions reduction measures, protecting criti- sition Party Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, and NCP chair cal ecosystems, and building climate resilience (https:// Mr. Puspa Kamal Dahal. As US President’s executive www. white- order instructs to develop climate house. finance plan to assist developing gov/brief- countries to fight against climate ing-room/ change impacts, it is most likely presiden- that Nepal will receive addition- tial-actions/ al financial resources to tackle 2021/01/27/ climate change challenges. The executive-or- US initiatives on climate change der-on-tack- will encourage it to reduce GHGs ling-the-cli- emissions. mate-crisis- LDCs’ GHGs emission at-home-and- reduction commitments would abroad/). have negligible impacts on lim- The iting temperature rise. Concerted US has prom- efforts of major GHGs emitting ised for clean Parties to the Paris Agreement energy future Former US Secretary of State John Kerry, with his grand-daughter, will limit temperature rise to and put the US signed the Paris Agreement in April 2016 at UN HQ, NY below 1.50C and protect climate on a path to vulnerable communities and re- achieve net-zero emissions, by no later than 2050. The sources from the adverse impacts of climate change. Ne- in-country policy states to ‘listen to science - and act, pal will benefit from such initiatives and it will contrib- strengthen clean air and water protection, hold polluters ute to minimise turning of snow-capped mountains into accountable for their actions, and deliver environmental ‘black stony mountains’ and to reduce adverse impacts justice’. The While House Office of Domestic Climate of climate change on people, livelihood, ecosystems and Policy within the Executive Office of the President is resources. established to coordinate policy-making process, ensure Former Joint-Secretary (Tech) and Chief of Climate Change consistency and monitor policy implementation. A Na- Management Division, then Ministry of Environment, E-mail: [email protected]

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 16 REVIEW

Book Review: The Backfire In Nepal: How India Lost Plot To China

In 2005, India facilitated the historic Peace sion in Nepal to facilitate inclusion of the former Agreement between the Maoists and the Seven Maoist fighters into the Nepal Army, their arms Party Alliance in Nepal, ending a decade-long surrender and peaceful conduct of first Constit- war waged against Nepal’s centuries-old mon- uent Assembly elections in 2008. In the second archy. A decade and a half later, Nepal and India BY: RISHI GUPTA chapter Provisional Posturing, the author has hit the lowest point despite the two countries share close beautifully portrayed the free-Tibet movement of 2008, socio-cultural, political, economic, and strategic ties. which got China worried as it hosted world athletes for Similarly, Karan Singh, who had successfully convinced the Beijing Olympics. The unconditional support from a King Gyanendra to accept the people’s demand and pave new Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamala Dahal alias the way for democracy in 2006; visit by the Foreign Sec- Prachanda in cracking down on the protesters and arrest retary S. Jaishankarto Kathmandu at the eleventh hour of Tibetan refugees amidst global criticism was a benefi- to convince the Nepal Government toaccommodate the cial ‘New Nepal’ China. demands of Madhesis, was termed as the ‘wrong advice.’ Between 2005 to 2020, Nepal has forged new What led Nepal to shift from ‘special relations’ with In- transit, trade, security and strategic ties including Belt dia to ‘conditional relations’ and forge strategic ties with and Road Initiative and first-ever Joint-Military exercis- China? es with China. Chi- Many such questions seek nese investment in an answer as one begins to unfurl Nepal accounts for the Roti-Betirelations between In- more than sixty per dia and Nepal amidst ongoing In- The book entitled The cent of the total For- dia-Nepal fiasco. Backfire in Nepal: How India Lost eign Direct Invest- The book entitled The Plot to China by US-based Nepali ment in Nepal, which Backfire in Nepal: How India Lost journalist Sanjay Upadhya helps was once topped by Plot to China by US-based Nepali find these answers. The book India until 2014. Chi- journalist Sanjay Upadhya helps provides a detailed account of na’s annual aid to Ne- find these answers. The book pro- Nepal-India relations in the last pal had also reached vides a detailed account of Ne- fifteen years. USD 128 from a pal-India relations in the last fifteen meagre USD 20-24 years. In his previous books,Nepal million in the past and the Geo-Strategic Rivalry Be- decade. The number tween China and India from Rou- of high-levelvisits tledge in 2012, and The Raj Lives: from China to Nepal India in Nepalfrom Vitasta in 2008, Upadhya had car- including President Xi’s in October 2019 amidst border ried ground-breaking works on India’s colonial past and row between India and Nepal over Kalapani and Lipul- its impact on Nepal, and Nepal’s geo-strategic location ekh, have provided China with an ultra-edge in the po- between two Asian giants. Unlike his previous research litical and foreign affairs of Nepal. Most importantly, the works, The Backfire in Nepal is a journalistic account Chinese Ambassador to Nepal has direct hotlines with of Nepal-India relations focusing on China’s diplomatic the President, Prime Minister, and Chief of the Nepal and strategic success in Nepal in recent years. Army, allowing the former to make public appearances Divided into seven chapters, the book provides in these offices and advise on administrative and politi- a timeline of events in India-Nepal relations beginning cal matters. Millions of military assistance from China with the 2006 peace-building process in Nepal which have helped Beijing buy diplomatic immunity to its cit- was officially overlooked by the United Nations Mis- izens involved in scamming, phishing, and trafficking in

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 17 REVIEW Nepal. While previous administrations in Nepal strike a balance between India and China including Prachan- da who stood as a staunch critic of alleged Indian ‘ex- pansionism’ since 1950, KP Oli has used India’s 2015 unofficial border blockade to his advantage in evoking ultra-nationalism based on anti-India manoeuvrings. Oli also holds India accountable for his ouster in 2016 from the Government, and with his present tenure, he continues to be revengeful. Meanwhile, post-December 13 dissolution of the Parliament, Oli was seen taking a moderate view of India. However, it changed very soon after he reiterated Kalapani, Lipulekh as Nepalese terri- tories, and relocated Ayodhya in Nepal. On the other hand, despite a turbulent relation- ship, India’s humanitarian assistance to Nepal helps ease the tensions. Noteworthy, India was the first country to reach on the ground after a major earthquake had hit Nepal in 2015. India has also supplied a million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and other medical assistance in- cluding medicines, ambulances, and medical appliances. However, India continues to misread Nepal’s political developments. Prime Minister Modi’s 2014 visit after seven- teen years gap by an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal helped India “dispel many traditional Nepalese mis- givings about India policy”, but the hidden push for a Hindu Rashtra in Nepal backfired on India.India cannot deny that its shortfalls are due toshort-sighted strategic interests and lack of promised deliveries to Nepal. For “The Backfire in Nepal: How India Lost Plot to instance, in 2016,the Eminent Persons Group (EPG)was China”, by Sanjay Upadhya, New Delhi: Vitasta, 2021, formed to revise the 1950 Treaty and smoothen border pp. 288, Rs, 495. management. Still,five years since its formation, the final a must-read for policymakers, journalists, researchers report of theEPG continues to dust in the Prime Minis- ter’s Office. Nepal also waits for India to exchange the intending to know recent developments in India-Nepal demonetised Indian currency stuck with the Nepal Rash- relations as it covers history and the most recent events. tra Bank. That said, the book falls short on the analytical front.The In contrast,the “Chinese have acted purely on author has also avoided dealing with dates which makes national interest”. There has been no compromise on the reader seek digital support that breaks the rhythm. China’ssecurity concerns looming from a critical bor- Overall, unlike history books, the books’ language keeps der between Tibet and Nepal. From cracking down the the momentum for a reader until a few scattered pages 2008 free-Tibet movement to the signing of Mutual of the last chapter- All in Mind, often repeating the ar- Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters in 2019, and Ne- pal’s unequivocal support to ‘One China Policy’, Chi- guments. The book is the most recent additions to the na has shown an uncompromised bargain in Nepal. On literature in India-Nepal relations with a focus on China the other hand, India continues to misread how Beijing factor. While the book interests’ Indian readers, it is a sees Nepal – both in terms of China’s visions of the past must book for readers in Nepal too; though it may take and the future. This complicates the core trilateral chal- some time to be available in the Nepalese book stores. lenge: ensuring that Nepal is not sucked deeper into the Meanwhile, the Kindle version of the book shall be com- Sino-Indian vortex, only to be scorned for aggravating ing soon. the Asian giants’ rivalry. Rishi Gupta is ICSSR Doctoral Fellow, Center for South As the events unfold between India and Nepal, Asian Studies, JNU, India; Senior Fellow, Asian Institute of Diplomacy the book could not have been timelier. The book becomes and International Affairs, Kathmandu

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 18 REVIEW Nepal-India-China On Nepal, India And China Expert on international relations Dr. Shambhu Ram Shimkhada discusses how emergence of India and China as the word powers has reshaped the Himalaya’s traditional political balance By A CORRESPONDENT

s India and China are emerging icy, part three is about Nepal-India rela- curity policies among the key political to be global economic pow- tions and part four is about Nepal-China actors has become most urgent. In this Aerhouses, implications for the relations. new environment relationship of trust Himalayan Region, which they consider Starting with analysis and dis- and confidence with the two immediate as their backyard, are natural. There are cussion of the theories of international neighbors within the overall guiding broader implications for Nepal, which relations, he analyzes Nepal’s relations philosophy of Amity with All and Entity shares the border with both the coun- with two neighbors and the relations with None continues to be the most im- tries. between the two countries in the new portant issue of Nepal’s foreign policy Several books have been writ- context. He also discusses competitive and national security agenda,” writes Dr. ten analyzing and discussing the rela- and cooperative patterns of relations be- Shimkhada in his preface. tions between the two Asian powers and tween the countries dealing with Nepal. At a time when the region is their role in their periphery. Dr. Shim- Author Dr. Shimkhada has facing new security and diplomatic sit- khada, a well known scholar of inter- citied an agreement between India and uation with the rise of India and China, national politics, discusses the states of China to use Lipulekh, a remote part this book is highly relevant and impor- countries like Nepal in the new context. of western Nepal, claimed by Nepal, to tant. For those who want to know Nepal, “As China and India, both rise, improve their bilateral trade. From In- India and China, this book is a valuable, will they take the traditional power-cen- dia-China border disputes in Bhutanese must-read. tric path of hegemonic and conflictual territory Doklam to recently disputed polarity of not allowing a “peer com- area in Laddakh, Dr. Shimkhada has petitor” to emerge or find a new path laid out clear analyses showing how two or rising together in a new paradigm of Asian powers are competing with each cooperative and managed competitive other. plurality? At a time when Nepal is grad- “These are the kinds of ques- ually losing its credibility in both the tions the author raises, if not fully an- neighboring countries due to confusions swered in this edition,” writes Achyut and contradictions of its leadership, Dr. Wagle, professor of economics, Kath- Shimkhada has come out with a very vi- mandu University, in his introduction. able suggestion on how Nepal needs to “The book provides a much-needed deal with southern neighbor India and vantage on Nepal’s foreign affairs for northern neighbor China. students, researchers of international re- As Nepal shares land as well as lations.” civilization with India, it is in the broad- Professor Wagle has right- er interest of Nepal. Similarly, Nepal and ly pointed out the main strength of the China have old relations based more on book which details the implications of geography than culture and civilization. the changing relations between India Surrounded by two big countries, Nepal and China in Nepal’s foreign and inter- has very little space and option to main- nal policy. tain the relations with the neighbors. st In the book divided into four “At a time when internally, Relations In The 21 Century By Shambhu Ram Simkhada different parts, Dr. Shimkhada has raised political parties and their leaders are Publisher: Sanrab Publication important issues emerging in the world divided on matters of national impor- Distributor: Unnati Books, Exhibition and their implications to Nepal’s foreign tance and international affairs and there Road, Kathmandu, Telephone: 4218568 policy. In the first chapter, Dr. Shimkha- are significant new developments in the First Edition : 2018 da reflects on some themes of interna- region and the world, to minimize risks Second Edition: 2021 Price: Rs.999.00 tional relations. The second part is about and optimize opportunities, national Page: 360 some reflections on Nepal’s foreign pol- consensus on foreign and national se-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 19 ENERGY NEPAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY Inauguration Spree Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is in a spree of inauguration of transmission line and other projects

By A CORRESPONDENT

ith strategic attempts and 400 kV Dhalkbar Substation Flag of Nepal’s electricity sector,” efforts of the last four At a time when Nepal’s 456 tweets Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Wyears, Nepal Electricity MW Upper Tamakoshi Project is in Bank Country Director for Maldives, Authority (NEA) is now in a spree of final stage of completion, the - inau Nepal, and Sri Lanka. completion of various transmission guration of 400 kV, Dhalkebar Sub- As a part of trans-bound- lines, substations and hydro-electric- station; Nepal’s largest substation, ary transmission line project, the ity power projects. As the country’s by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is World Bank has provided loan for largest substation started 3 years highly important. the transmission line. However, Ne- ago, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli Following the completion of pal Government and Nepal Electric- inaugurated the 400kV Dhalbekar the substation, Nepal will be able to ity Authority solely financed the re- Substation, connecting internal and supply electricity generated by Upper cently completed modern sub-station trans-boundary transmission lines. Tamakoshi. Similarly, this substation Based on Gas Insulated Technology Stalled for years due to var- will also help to import electricity up -- Dhalkebar substation is the largest ious obstructions at local level, the to 800 MW during the lean season electricity hub of Nepal. speed taken in the last three years and export same amount of surplus Constructed at the cost of also helped to complete 220 kV Dan- electricity to India during the wet Rs. 2.20 Billion of NEA and Nepal da-Kusma, a portion of Kaligandaki season. government, 400-200 kV substation Corridor transmission line construct- Spread in 13 bighas of land, has transformer capacity of 635 MVA ed under a loan assistance from the the 400-200 kV station will pave the and another 315 MVA’s transformer Asian Development Bank’s SASEC way for export and import of electric- is under the process of installation. project. ity to India. It can play a key role in Following the charge of the Although managing director distribution of electricity to east and substation, Nepal and India have now Kul Man Ghising, who moved all the west along with India. first 400 kV cross border transmission stalled projects mobilizing his highly The event qualified employees and colleagues was attended by min- of Nepal Electricity Authority, left isters for Energy, Wa- NEA last August completing his four ter Resources and Ir- year tenure, acting managing director rigation Top Bahadur Hitendra Man Shakya is now in the Rayamajhi and Urban chair to accelerate the speed. Development Minis- Having worked in NEA, ter Prabhu Sah, holding various positions, acting MD “Congrat- Shakya, who also knows the ins and ulations #Nepal for outs of the organization, has started the inauguration of his job of driving NEA at the previ- the country’s largest ous pace. Along with organizing the substation that would inauguration programs, Shakya also facilitate high volume needs to address many other projects cross-border electricity trade. We line with the capacity to exchange up which are facing various hurdles at are proud to support major parts of to 1000 MW. This sub-station is also the final stage of completion due to the substation & linked high voltage important for Nepal’s internal power COVID-19 pandemic. lines & remain committed to boost management. After the completion of

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 20 ENERGY Province Bikas Lamsal and NEA’s acting manag- ing director Hitendra Dev Shakya were present on the occasion. Prime Minister Oli said that NEA has made major achieve- ments in the past few years making Nepal a country to export the electricity to India. He said that this project will help evacuate the power generated in these areas. Addressing the program, acting MD Shakya said NEA is also working hard to com- plete the second phase of the project as early as possible. The two struc- 400 MW Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaru- Earlier, the World Bank and tures have been ready for wa transmission lines, the substation NEA financed the 220-132 substa- the operation after the installation of can transfer 200 MW each to Hetauda tion in Dhalkebar under Nepal India equipment and successful test of the and Inaruwa. Transmission and trade project. The transmission line. Other functions of the sub- substation was recently strengthened Project Chief Chandan Ku- station are to distribute the electricity and expanded further aiming to en- mar Ghosh said that charging of the generated by 456 MW Upper Tama- hance the bilateral exchange and sub-station and transmission line kosi to east and west Nepal and evac- trade. has been completed. Sub-station and uated from Gongar-Khimti-Dhalke- “This is a major achieve- transmission line are ready for the bar 220 kV transmission line. Till the ment in the country. We are now in a electricity connection. completion of the Hetauda-Dhalke- position to import surplus electricity Nepal Electricity Author- bar-Inaruwa 400 kV Transmission to India and Bangladesh,” said Prime ity had started construction of Da- line, the substation can distribute up Minister Oli. He said that Nepal gov- na-Khurkot transmission line on May to 300 MW of electricity to east and ernment will facilitate more private 30, 2016 with the financial support of west through existing 132 kV trans- sector to invest money in hydro pow- Asian Development Bank. Tata-Chint mission line. er development. Electronic JV had got contract to Now, Nepal can export sur- 220-kV Dana-Khurkot construct the 39.6-Km long Da- plus electricity to India. Constructed Transmission Line na-Khurkot transmission line along with a provision of further upgrada- Just a week after the inau- with sub-station at Rs 2.90 billion. tion in future, Arun III project will gural of country’s largest sub-sta- Around 110 towers were also supply 100 MW free electricity tion, Prime Minister Oli inaugurat- constructed for the same and the lat- to Nepal from Dhalkebar substation ed the construction of the 220-kV est modern technology has been in- later. Dana-Khurkot transmission line and stalled at the sub-station. The power Despite various obstructions sub-station under the Kaligandaki produced from Ghalemdi hydropow- including floodwater inundation and corridor transmission line project in er project has already been connected COVID-19 crisis, the project has Kusma. at the sub-station after the successful been completed in 3 years’ record Minister for Energy, Water charge of the transmission. time. The consultant of the project Resources and Irrigation Top Bal- Five-MW Ghalemdikhola was a NEA Engineering, a subsidiary dur Raymajhi and Environment and and 13.4 MW Thapakhola hydropow- company of NEA. Development Minister of Gandaki er project under the Dana sub-station are in operation. A target was set to

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 21 ENERGY complete the project within two years; power from the corridor. has been given high priority giving it was delayed by two years due to NEA Leakage Control it 50 points. Arrangement has been various reasons. The sub-station has At a time when NEA is made to reward or punish the chief been spread on around 156 ropanis of bringing more electricity to national of distribution centers by objectively area. The test of a six-kilometer long grid through construction of various evaluating the performance indica- transmission line connecting Khurkot projects, it is also working to con- tors. to Kushma Municipality-8 Chuwa of trol the leakage. Acting MD Shakya The NEA has set a target of Parbat has been successful. directed NEA’s officials to focus on reducing the leakage of electricity to A substation and transmis- power leakage control, revenue col- 8.5 per cent in the current fiscal year. sion line have been constructed to lection, and electrification, improv- Last year, the leakage towards distri- connect the electricity generated ing service delivery with customers bution was 10.28 per cent. The target from the Kaligandaki and its tributar- and meeting the given targets. has been set to reduce the leakage of ies flowing through the northern- re Signing the performance electricity from 15.6 per cent in the gion of Myagdi and the hydropower agreements with the heads of distri- last fiscal year to 12.08 per cent in the project to be constructed in Mustang bution and customer service centers, current fiscal year of the distribution to the central grid. he said that electricity leakage control centers under the Provincial Office A transmission line from and service delivery improvement is Janakpur. Khurkot to Bardaghat is being con- the priority. The top management of The leakage till November structed as per the target of con- NEA signed performance agreements is 16.6 per cent. The heads of each structing 142-Km transmission line with the heads of 23 distribution distribution centre under the office from Dana of Myagdi to Bardaghat centers under the provincial office of have been given separate targets of Nawalparasi. Acting MD of Nepal Province-2, Janakpur. for leakage control, said NEA. The Electricity Authority (NEA) Hitendra Manoj Kumar Singh, head Janakpur Provincial Office collects Dev Shakya said that the completion of the regional office, signed the per- 31.23 per cent of the revenue from of the project will help to evacuate formance agreement with Hitendra the sale of electricity. the energy generated in the projects Dev Shakya, Acting Managing Di- With more transmission line under construction in Kalgandaki rector of NEA. Meanwhile, the chiefs projects under the process of comple- corridor. of distribution centers have signed tion, NEA is now looking to reduce He said that the construction an agreement with Harraj Neupane, the power leakage. Recent activities of Kusma-Bardaghat and New But- Deputy Executive Director of the Di- of NEA have shown that a strong and wal portion is undergoing now and rectorate of Distribution and Custom- dedicated team in management can it will also complete in time. Acting er Service of NEA. bring a lot of changes to a govern- MD Shakya said that the transmis- In the performance agree- ment utility. sion line evacuates over 400 MW ment, control of electricity leakage

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 22 SINDHULI ROAD Rehabilitation Complete

With the grant assistance from JICA, the rehabilitation of Sindhuli Road, which was badly damaged by earthquake, has been completed

By A CORRESPONDENT

t a time when over 60 percent mony was held for the com- mobility to eastern sector of pleted Project for the Reha- ANepal is happening through bilitation of Sindhuli Road Sindhuli Road, any disruption in the Affected by Earthquake road has heavy impacts. Constructed and it was attended by the with the grant assistance from Japan officials of the Ministry of government, Sindhuli Road was a life Physical Infrastructure and line linking capital Kathmandu with Transport (MOPIT), De- eastern hill and terai. partment of Roads(DoR), Although the traffic was- re JICA Nepal Office, the con- learning experience for all its stake- sumed a few days after the damage sultant Nippon Koei and the contractor holders reaping sustainable benefits. caused by the earthquake in 2015, Hazama Ando. Masamichi Saigo Ambassa- some parts of the road were hit bad- Rehabilitation of the Sindhu- dor of Japan to Nepal during the cere- ly. The Sindhuli Road was damaged in li road will facilitate a smooth traffic mony stated,“I am really proud of this more than 24 places by a major earth- flow, which will not only result in hav- achievement, as we were able to com- quake on 25 April 2015 as well as a ing a reliable link between Kathman- plete the project despite the ongoing major aftershock on 12 May 2015 in du and the Eastern Terai but also cater pandemic and that this road will pro- Nepal. Among the damaged portions, to the need of the public by creating vide functional benefits to locals and 5 critical sites which needed rehabili- better mobility, easier accessibility to other travelers due to improved acces- tation were relevant for Japanese sup- health facilities and education, better sibility leading to enhanced socio-eco- port due to the large scale damage as economic socio-cultural activities. nomic benefits.” well as technological challenges. Furthermore, one of the major out- During the ceremony Chief According to a press release comes of the rehabilitation project is Representative of JICA Nepal Ms. issued by JICA, upon request from the the transfer of advanced and effective Yumiko Asakuma expressed her be- Government of Nepal, Government technology to the Nepalese Counter- lief that, with the completion of the of Japan provided a grant aid to reha- parts and Engineers, mainly for the project, the overall goal to secure sus- bilitate the critically damaged portion slope stabilization of the mountainous tainable and safe traffic along Sindhuli of the Sindhuli Road based on the roads. Road will be realized. Exchange of Note between GON and Minister for Physical Infra- The Sindhuli Road is one of GOJ and Grant Agreement (G/A) be- structure and Transport Basanta K. the most important roads in Nepal that tween GON and JICA amounting JPY Nembang reiterated that Japan, a long links Kathmandu City, the capital of 1,047 million, which was signed on term development partner for Nepal, the country, with Eastern Terai Plain. 25th October 2018. has been implementing milestone The construction of the Sindhuli Road, Completion of the Rehabil- projects facilitating development en- with a total length of 160 km, started itation of Sindhuli Road project sup- deavors in Nepal and the rehabilita- with the Japanese grant aid in the 1996 ported by JICA, is leading to full op- tion of Sindhuli Road post the 2015 and was completed in March 2015. eration of the portions damaged by the Earthquake is another stepping stone The Sindhuli Road is a mile- 2015Nepal Earthquake amongst its various other contribu- stone project of JICA’s cooperation Minister for Physical Infra- tions. to Nepal as it is not only the biggest structure and Transport (MoPIT) Ba- Expressing his apprecia- Japanese Grant Aid, but also a techni- sant Kumar Nembang has virtually tion, he further added that the modern cal challenging road encompassing di- inaugurated the Rehabilitation of Sind- technological methods used for con- verse geographic conditions, including huli Road project. structing the roads with the concept of mountains and river valleys. A virtual inauguration cere- ‘Build Back better’ would be a major

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 23 NATIONAL

NATIONAL SECURITY National Priority At a function organized by Nepal Army, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stressed the need for coordination among different agencies

By A CORRESPONDENT

t a time when there are over three dozen different organi- Azations working in the border related issues, there are more confu- sions and contradictions in handling the issue due to lack of coordination. A seminar organized by Nepal Army in this regard is highly important. Since the unification of the country, Nepal Army has been in the forefront of protection of Nepal’s bor- der. Although the new constitution has changed its role slightly, Nepal Army has remains a prime institution to pro- tect Nepal’s border. Addressing the seminar, COAS General Purna Chandra Thapa has made it clear that Nepal Army will play a leading role in the border man- Areas of Coordination among Border es, he said, adding, “We must retain agement of the country, coordinating Management related Agencies’. The our territory. Both the nations should with 34 different organizations. prime minister argued that the rela- consider fact and truth in maintaining “There are 34 agencies in- tions with neighboring nations could relations. Are both the countries in a volved in the border management. be made cordial and emboldened only position to claim other’s territory?” There is the need to have better coordi- on the basis of facts, equality, respect PM Oli went on saying, nation and management among these and justice not on hegemonic meas- “There have been some historical- agencies. The crisis of COVID19 has ures. ly-unsolved border problems. The taught us many lessons on difficulty “In order to consolidate Ne- issue of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and and challenges posed by open border,” pal-India ties in a cordial manner, we Kalapani has remained unaddressed said General Thapa. had to print the map and talk to India. for the past 58 years. We were forced Inaugurating the seminar, Our relations could turn to be cordial to get displaced silently when the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli point- by only returning our territory through ruler did not dare to speak up against ed out the need of resolving the border dialogue. Border disputes are prevail- the intrusion.” related problems through serious dip- ing in Susta and Kanchanpur,” he said. He claimed that a new po- lomatic efforts and dialogue between Open and friendly dialogue litical and administrative map was Nepal and India. would be held with India regarding the printed by including these territories The seminar was titled ‘Ne- issue of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and of late. “We updated the map and also pal’s International Border Security and Kalapani based on facts and evidenc- included it in the schedule of the Con-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 24 NATIONAL stitution and coat-of-arms.” It is not true that the move has increased misunderstanding with India, he said, adding that, “We need to assert our claim on our territory at any cost. The border security agencies should be highly cautious and alert when the border affairs become more sensitive,” PM Oli added. “We have been admonished and warned while claiming our ter- ritory,” he said, adding that, “There would be dialogue in future to resolve the border disputes”. He also direct- ed the concerned authorities to pay special attention towards preventing intrusion in Nepali territories and mis- using of no-man’s land in the coming days. Border security is an integral south directions”. paign of independence and respect part of national security, PM Oli said, Citing shifting out of border in the history albeit there were some adding, “How can a nation remain se- pillars in Kanchanpur and other areas weaknesses. cure when there is no border security? of Terai, he asserted that Nepal would Home Minister Ram Bahadur We have framed a working policy to not accept reference border pillar as Thapa said the government has em- implement security policy to that end.” the real one. “We should responsibly phatically treated the border security Of late the government has take initiative for the security of our as a crucial part of national security. increased the force of border security land and territory.” He stressed the need to formulate dif- and border outposts, PM Oli shared, Nepal is a country of glory ferent thematic laws for consolidating adding that adequate attention has been not only from the evolution of civili- border security. paid to equip the force with logistics. zation but also from the perspective “The Constitution has repre- of origin of knowledge, its expansion “The ministry would not sented the aspirations of the nation and and investigation, he claimed. “We can leave any stone unturned in providing the people. The independence, sover- feel the glory of our country not only necessary resources and technology. eignty, territorial integrity and pros- because of the nature but also the be- It is realized that there is the need to perity should be best utilized for coun- cause of the contributions our ances- develop a mechanism for coordination try’s sake,” he said, adding, “There are tors made in building the nation.” and information sharing among all se- some problems along the border as we Prime Minister Oli further curity agencies.” are India-locked from east, west and said that Nepal has not left its cam- Chief of Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa said the border should be managed scientifically tak- ing into consideration the concerns of the general public and complications experienced during the time of COV- ID-19. At a time when as many as 34 agencies have been involved in the management of international border of Nepal in a direct or indirect manner, Nepal Army’s initiative is valuable to maintain Nepal’s border. Although the border issue is politically very sensitive in Nepal, Nepal Army organized the program bringing different agencies working in the areas for better coordination. NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 25 COVERSTORY

KATHMANDU VALLEY Pollution Proportion Although lockdown and disruption caused by COVID-19 has drastically reduced the eco- nomic activities and vehicular movement, Kathmandu Valley’s Air Pollution reported five times unhealthier than WHO recommendation making the valley risky for those undergoing health problems. As the government’s enforcement mechanism is poor, it is unlikely to see any changes in near future. Good sign is that 10 municipal governments have been jointly taking some efforts. However, they don’t have much needed legal tools

By KESHAB POUDEL

Air pollution in Kathmandu vironment reports The Rising Nepal. purpose. The statement asked older Valley reached worst among the cities The AQI record crossed 400 people with chronic diseases, includ- across the world on Monday and Tues- on Tuesday within Ratna Park area, ing respiratory problem like asthma, day (January 4 and 5 2021). which is the most hazardous. In previ- cough and COPD to stay indoors. “This was for the first time ous years, the air quality index used to Air pollution was high in the air in Kathmandu Valley has been be limited to 190 during winter reports Biratnagar and Nepalgunj after Kath- found to be most polluted following The Rising Nepal. mandu, with over 300 AQI in both the installation of Real-Time Air Qual- Joshi said that the air was cities Monday and Tuesday. The risk ity Index (AQI) in 2016,” said Indu still polluted on Tuesday. The depart- of air pollution due to open and waste Bikram Joshi, Acting Director-Gener- ment has also issued a press release burning is high during the winter al of the Department of Environment altering people not to move outside in as people often make a fire or burn under the Ministry of Forest and En- the morning and evening without any waste to escape the cold, he said. The

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 26 COVERSTORY

government has asked people to stop dustries are yet to operate fully and the ment has also issued Kathmandu Val- burning in the open to help control air resulting air quality has improved in ley Air Quality Management Action pollution,” said Joshi Kathmandu, it is still not suitable for Plan-2020 to ensure the fundamental Due to COVID-19, most of certain groups such as senior citizens right of citizens to live in a clean and the industries, schools and factories and people with respiratory ailments. healthy environment. “The govern- remain closed, but the AQI cross- According to Bhupendra ment has been working endlessly to ing 300 is unbelievable, Joshi said. Das, Air Quality Specialist at Nepal improve the environment of the Valley He also urged people to wear a mask Energy and Environment Develop- and other parts of the country and it when going out of home. ment Services (NEEDS), a non-gov- will surely improve,” he said. With winter in the middle ernment organization, the temperature The Action Plan has various and the temperature declining, Nepal’s would be trapped during the winter objectives including controlling air air quality has started deteriorating, season and dust particles remain sus- pollution in the Valley, such as reduc- causing a severe threat to COVID-19 pended in the air, which causes more tion of outdoor pollution generated or patients. As Kathmandu Valley’s ur- hazards to the environment. emitted by transport and construction ban setting is haphazard and unman- Winter inversion (layer of sectors, reduction of indoor pollution, aged, the urban climate emissions cold air trapping warm air), vehicular awareness-raising about the condition include CO2 and short-lived climate emission, open burning, and cross-bor- of air pollution, potential impact on pollutants, particularly black carbon der industrial pollution are the main public health, developing a decision and methane also prevailing there. auses of the pollution in Kathmandu, support system for air quality manage- Inefficient urban land use, Das said. ment in an emergency situation. housing and building design, ineffi- “There should be controls in The Action Plan also focus- cient transport systems, and reliance vehicular movement, industries like es on controlling vehicle emissions by upon fossil fuels, particularly coal, for brick kilns should embrace clean tech- encouraging electric vehicles, and tak- power, are key urban factors driving nology and open burning should be ing steps to better manage construction CO2 emissions. stopped to minimize air pollution in activities, indoor pollution, industrial Although the movement of the Valley,” he said. emissions, household and agricultur- people and vehicle has declined, in- Joshi said that the govern- al waste in an eco-friendly manner,

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 27 COVERSTORY

ensuring environmentally sustainable Energy Nepal (CEN), a symposium, minimize health impacts of air pollu- transport system and awareness cam- with local government representatives tion through research studies and ca- paign. on air pollution management in Kath- pacity building and will continue to According to “State of Glob- mandu Valley, organized via the online do so in implementing the air quality al Air 2020” (SOGA 2020) report, Ne- Zoom platform, discussed ways to im- management action plan. pal is placed among the top 10 coun- prove the air quality of the valley. Deteriorating Air Quality tries with the highest outdoor pollution Public Health Administra- Air Quality Monitoring (PM2.5 levels) in 2019. tor for the Country Office of WHO in (AQM) stations placed in 25 places The World Health Organiza- Nepal, Dr. Khurshid Alam Hyder said across the country, including seven in tion’s air quality guidelines stipulate that air pollution is one of the emerg- the Valley, have shown that particu- that 24-hour mean PM2. 5 should not ing health and environment issues. late matter (PM) 2.5, an indicator of exceed 25 μg/m³ and that for PM10 He said that the quality of air pollution level, is found higher than should not exceed 50 μg/m³. These that people breathe is not healthy and standard value set for Nepal (40 mi- pollutants are five times higher in the exceeds almost five times the WHO crograms per cubic metre), Shanker atmosphere. recommended value. KMC and LMC Prasad Paudel, senior divisional chem- At a time when Kathmandu have already committed to maintain ist and information officer at the -De Valley’s air pollution is getting worse, the air quality within the WHO guide- partment, told The Rising Nepal. there is a realization to take integrat- line by joining the Breathe Life cam- According to Paudel, the De- ed actions from different stakeholders. paign. partment has set two minimum stand- Organized by Ministry of Health and Addressing a symposium ards for measuring air quality in Nepal Population (MoHP), Department of with local government representatives -- PM 10 and PM 2.5. The minimum Environment (DoEnv), World Health on air pollution management in Kath- air quality standard for PM 10 is 120 Organization (WHO), Municipal As- mandu Valley, he said that WHO has microgram per cubic metre. sociation of Nepal (MuAN) and Clean been providing technical support to According to the record, Rat-

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 28 COVERSTORY

napark area measured 75.83 micro- Focused on the immediate Mayor of Dhulikhel Munic- gram per cubic metre suspended par- implementation of Kathmandu Air ipality and the President of MuAN ticles in the air under category PM 2.5 Quality Management Action Plan, Ashok Kumar Byanju said that “in- on Monday (December 7). 2076 from the local level, around 80 tegrated planning and effective -co With that value, Kathmandu participants joined the program in- ordination among all the local gov- became the third most polluted city cluding the Mayors, Deputy Mayors, ernments of Kathmandu Valley is in the country, according to Paudel. Chiefs of Environment Sections and inevitable to control air pollution in- From December 3 to 6, Ratnapark’s health officials of local governments cluding maintaining environmental AQM station recorded PM 2.5 values of Kathmandu Valley, senior officials sanitation in the Valley. of 65.52 micrograms per cubic metre, from MoHP, DoEnv, WHO, Academi- In his presentation, Prof. 58.09 micrograms per cubic metre, cians and Journalists. Sanjay Nath Khanal highlighted the 62.29 micrograms per cubic metre, Moderated by the Board causes and scenario of air pollution in and 66.43 micrograms per cubic metre Chair of CEN, Bhushan Tuladhar, Kathmandu Valley by taking reference respectively. All of them have exceed- Chief of Health Coordination Divi- of latest research findings and suggest- ed the minimum standard, according sion from MoHP, Prof. Dr. Jageshwor ed the possible measures which can to Govinda Lamichhane, environment Gautam delivered welcome remarks contribute to control air pollution. inspector at the Department. highlighting the sources of air pollu- Indu Bikram Joshi, DDG of Seminar Objective tion, degrading air quality of the valley DoEnv, in his presentation highlighted The main objective of the during winter and the inter-linkages of the key features of Kathmandu Valley symposium was to discuss the problem air pollution and COVID-19. Air Quality Management Action Plan, of air pollution and its health effects Dr. Gautam shared the ef- 2076 and the role of different stake- among the representatives of munic- forts of the government of Nepal and holders including the Local Govern- ipalities and addressing the problem municipalities to curb air pollution ment of the Valley. of air pollution from their level in the and concluded his remark saying that: Mayors and Deputy Mayors Kathmandu Valley. It was organized “we must take a holistic and integrat- of different municipalities made their under Urban Health Initiative (UHI) as ed approach to minimize air pollution remarks in the program where they knowledge sharing event with support engaging all the concerned stakehold- shared about the problem they are fac- from WHO. ers.” ing and the key initiatives they have

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 29 COVERSTORY

taken forward to control air pollution Deteriorating air quality in port - lessons learned in Kathmandu at the local level. Kathmandu is putting hundreds of will serve as an example and open the They also highlighted the thousands of Nepalese at risk of sever- door to air pollution and health mitiga- need of technical and financial -re al health problems. In fact, the WHO tion projects in other major Southeast sources required for the local level to has consistently found air pollution to initiate programs focusing on air pol- be the leading risk factor for death and Asian cities facing air pollution prob- lution including other environmental disability in Nepal. lems. Plans are underway to build the problems in the Valley and stressed the The air quality of the city has capacity of key stakeholders and per- need of effective coordination among been a major public health problem form joint multi-sector data analysis. all local governments including the causing air pollution-related morbidi- Outdoor air pollution alone federal and provincial government. ty and mortality, placing an economic is responsible for 4.2 million deaths Average particulate air pol- burden on the country due to loss of annually, mainly attributed to NCDs. lution levels are up to 5 times higher productivity and over-utilization of than WHO air quality standards, put- health system resources. Furthermore, physical inactivity is re- ting many at risk of long-term health Until recently, there were sponsible for 3.2 million deaths annu- problems. no air quality monitoring stations in ally, and traffic injuries cause some 1.3 Ground-level ozone, pro- place, which was a major obstacle to million deaths annually – both health duced by the atmospheric interaction mitigation of existing air pollution in risks are likely to be much larger of a mix of air pollutants, including the country. There has also been a lack among urban populations. methane and NO2, is another health of health impact assessment data to risk, raising rates of asthma and chron- estimate the health and economic bur- Given such a scenario, the ic respiratory illness as well as other den of air pollution as well as of the panel discussion involving all differ- sorts of breathing problems and re- sectoral measures needed to tackle this ent stakeholders to address the air pol- duced lung function. environmental challenge. lution is significant. Director General A city of medieval palac- In response, the government of Department of Environment Muku- es and temples, Kathmandu lies in a of Nepal, through its Department of nda Prasad Niraula in his closing re- bowl-shaped valley along an ancient Environment, has established three marks assured the government’s com- trade route linking India and Tibet. monitoring sites; two in Kathmandu The valley is growing rapidly. valley and one in Dhulikhel, and plans mitment to strengthen the capacity and In recent years, air pollution to set up a network of air quality moni- regulatory mechanism at local level. in Nepal has become a serious envi- toring sites throughout the country. Summarizing the discussion, Board ronmental and public health risk, with As the first South-East Asian Chair of CEN, Tuladhar said that is- pollution levels 4.9 times higher than city to pilot the Urban Health Initiative sues discussed will help implement the recommended by the WHO. - launched with strong political sup- policies and programs.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 30 COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPIAGN First Success Almost 75 percent frontline health workers are administered COVID-19 vaccine

By A CORRESPONDENT

ith a million vile of Cov- ID-19 vaccine finally arrived in Nepal restaurant employees, drivers, conduc- id-19 vaccine, which was in the form of grant from the southern tors etc. Wgifted with generosity by neighbor in the last week of January This will help in getting the Nepal’s southern neighbor India, Ne- and the first phase of nationwide vac- economy back. pal is among a few countries to have cination drive began on January 27 We have 8 lakhs vaccines launched COVID-19 vaccination cam- and concluded on February 6. coming from India and are expecting paign comparatively earlier. However, During the 10-day first phase another 23 lakhs from WHO. Nepal is unable to accelerate the pace drive, frontline workers, mostly the Government authorities, for vaccination. As Nepal is receiving addi- tional 2.2 million vaccines from and China has offered 500000, there are over 3 million vaccines in the process of coming to Nepal, enough to vacci- nate over 15 percent population. Nepal now needs to work to accelerate the process of vaccination to contain the second wave. Under its neighbor-first pol- icy, India has already expressed its commitment to help Nepal’s campaign by providing additional vaccination. Given the circumstances, Nepal is in a good position to have vaccines. “Very important priorities now, after vaccination of health work- ers to front-line service providers in institutions, are banks, airports, offices and senior people, aged 65 and over, and those under 65 with health condi- tions,” writes Dr. Badri Raj Pandey in health workers, received the first jab. health experts and workers are found his face book. According to the Ministry of Health to be excited with the availability of Invention and successful tri- and Population, in 10 days, 184,745 the vaccines much before the expected als and eventually the arrival of one got the jabs across country. time. However, people in general and million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Second Phase of vaccina- even a few health workers seem lack- from India have been a big sigh of re- tion must begin soon for those above ing confidence on the vaccines. It is lief to the Nepali people panicked for 55 and people in the second frontline evident from the fact that Nepal could a year after the outbreak of the deadly who work in close proximity with cus- cover only less than half of the target- virus. tomers like public servants, teachers, ed number of people in the first phase The much-awaited COV- bankers, security personnel, hotel and of vaccination.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 31 Studies are showing the sec- ed that the vaccination campaign will of the vaccination drive. ond dose given at 3 months is better take place this soon in Nepal,” said Dr. The surplus COVID-19 vac- than 1 month. Rabindra Pandey, a public health ex- cines from the first phase will be used For a successful vaccination pert. “This is why it was difficult for for those falling in priority in the sec- drive, people’s trust towards the vac- many people to take it.” ond phase of the inoculation. cine is necessary. But it was found As a few health workers are Dr. Upreti said that plans lacking in Nepal. exposed to misinformation and rum- were being made to vaccinate people Dr. Shyam Raj Upreti, Coor- ors on vaccine, more awareness is still aged above 55 years, as they fall in dinator of the COVID-19 Vaccine Ad- needed to build trust and confidence in high risk group of COVID-19. visory Committee at the MoHP, said vaccines, said Dr. Pandey. “We had planned to vacci- that the first vaccination drive in Nepal During the inoculation peri- nate around 430,000 frontline health could not be considered successful in od of the first phase drive, we address workers in the first phase. As the num- terms of coverage. vaccine hesitancy and tackle misin- ber of people getting vaccinated is less “As the 10-day immuni- formation on the side effects, now than 200,000, the remaining doses of zation campaign ended, the number we hope more confidence will be de- vaccines will be used in the second of vaccinated people did not reach veloped among the vaccine receivers phase of our vaccination drive,” said 200,000 while our target was to inocu- in the second phase, added Dr. Jhalak Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson late 430,000 front line health workers Gautam, Chief of Child Health and at the MoHP. in the first phase,” he added. Vaccine Department at the Depart- Dr. Gautam added, “The He gives two reasons for fail- ment of Health. ministry has aimed to inoculate 30,000 ing to meet the target. It is very important to un- government health workers, 60,000 “Firstly, the immunization derstand that even if some side effects female health volunteers, and 250,000 booths across the nation have been are noticed after immunization, people health workers registered in Nepal set at the district headquarters thereby must take it easily, as it is a sign that Health Council.” barring the access of health personnel the shot is working,” said Gautam. However, as most of the working in the rural areas,” said Dr. Although some side effects health workers registered at the Coun- Upreti, adding, “Secondly, we some- were seen among the jab receivers, no cil have fled abroad for employment or what failed to generate awareness any severe case has been reported dur- studies, the number of people receiv- about the importance of vaccination ing the first phase campaign, he added. ing vaccines here is lesser than our tar- to overcome the pandemic prior to The Ministry of Health and get, he said. launching the campaign.” Population (MoHP) has already start- Dr. Gautam said that along “I think no one has expect- ed preparations for the second phase with the front-line health workers, the

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 32 employees of the immigration offices, customs offices, Tribhuvan Interna- tional Airport and senior citizens of old age homes were also being inoc- ulated. China has pledged to provide 500,000 doses of vaccines in grant. Similarly, Nepal will be receiving 2,256,000 doses of COVID-19 vac- cines under the COVAX facility, ac- cording to the ‘Interim Distribution Forecast’ published by COVAX. COVAX, co-led by Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immuni- zation (Gavi), informed that the UN Health Agency would start the distri- bution of vaccines by the end of Feb- ruary. “For AZ/SII (AstraZeneca/ Serum Institute of India) and AZ (As- traZeneca) indicative distribution, de- livery is estimated to begin as of late Population, of the total number of peo- vaccine creates panic on the minds of February,” read the forecast. ple that received the jab - 24,224 were the people regarding the Covid vac- ‘Covishield’ developed joint- from Province 1; 25,637 from Prov- cine. One has to understand that there ly by the Oxford University and Astra- ince 2; 63,308 from Bagmati Province; is no guarantee that the vaccine is 100 Zeneca and manufactured by the Se- and 18,472 from Gandaki Province. rum Institute of India will be provided safe. The main thing is don’t panic that Similarly, 28,941 received the vaccine it will have adverse effects. to Nepal under the facility. in Lumbini Province; 9,420 in Karnali “We are receiving ‘Covish- Province, and 14,855 in Sudurpaschim The currently administered ield’ vaccine under COVAX program Province. which is a preferred vaccine for us as As Nepal has successfully Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine can re- the existing storage and transportation handled the first phase of Covid-19 duce 76 percent of risk of infection of infrastructure used in the nation to vaccination campaign, Nepal needs to covid-19. For its efficacy one has to immunize children can be brought in accelerate the pace of administering wait for 3 weeks. One has to take the use,” said Dr. Jhalak Gautam. the Covid vaccine. Given the assur- second doze within 3 months. If it is “It will not be a problem for ance coming from Nepal’s friends and used massively, it will help to contain us to store the vaccines, as we have neighbor India, virus. infrastructure suitable for it, the main One should take the vaccine thing is prioritized people must come Don’t Spread Unnecessary in confidence if he or she is taking forward and get the jab with trust and Rumor against Vaccine: Dr. Badri aspirin everyday and over 65 years confidence,” added Dr. Gautam. Raj Pandey The Covishield vaccines can of age. Otherwise why should I have taken it. I want to congratulate Indian be stored at a temperature between two I took Covid vaccine and government for supplying the Covid to eight degrees Celsius. The MoHP is I felt no uneasiness. Vaccines cause also planning to procure four million minor complications like swelling the vaccine in SAARC Region. Why has doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from place where vaccine is administered, Pakistan not received it? One has to India in the final phase. headache, tiredness, muscle pain and hail Nepal government for starting the The first phase of the- vac sometime fever 37.8. I was prepared vaccination campaign erlier. cination drive was conducted from for all these reactions. However, noth- My humble request is to all, 201 booths in 77 districts. Frontline ing happened to me. Even if that had to go to vaccine center, to get the vac- workers including health and sanita- occurred, I would have used Paraceta- cine administered. However, one has tion workers were inoculated based on mol and I would be alright in a few to wear masks, maintaining social priority. days. Such symptoms can be seen till distance and should follow health pro- According to the statistics 3 days of administering vaccine. Un- provided by Ministry of Health and tocols, following the vaccine adminis- necessary rumors regarding using the tration.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 33 VIEWPOINT

Women’s Representation In Politics: Just A Tokenism

Persistent gender inequality in political representa- tions. The last Federal Parliament had the record tion is a global phenomenon. As per a recent data number of 56 husband-wives or inter relative pairs, released by the UN Women, only 25 percent of representing in the name of ordinary and marginal- the parliamentarians in the world are women. At ized Nepalese women and men. Other few women, the ministerial level, the number is much smaller, who are lucky to have risen to the prominence in which indicates that the goal to achieve gender BY: NOVELA ACHARYA political and other domains, either they hail from parity in politics seems far off than expected. aristocratic families or from the elitists groups. Looking into the political scenario in the context Thus, the women representation in political domain re- of countries in South Asia like Nepal, the gender gap is mains largely as tokenistic in nature. much higher compared to the developed nations in the west. Patriarchal mind-set is clearly reflected in the Despite of years of political struggle, civil society lobbying overall structure of the political parties as well. In the ma- and the promotion of progressive laws and policies in fa- jor political parties, be it Nepali Congress or Nepal Com- vour of women, women’s representation and participation munity Party, all the leading and decision-making seats are in the political arena in Nepal remains with considerable occupied by men. The law on political parties and electoral challenges. acts highlight on fair representation of women in parties’ Patriarchy, socially constructed gender roles and structures, but women politicians are not given a fair and the regressive social structure of the Nepalese society re- meaningful responsibilities. The question arises how the mains deeply entrenched which curtails women’s active regularity body of political parties in Nepal, the Election role and leadership in the politics vis-a-vis in democratic Commission (EC) accepts and register these parties for dispensation. Still today, Nepalese society is reluctant to electoral purposes! This shows either women leaders are accept women as a decision maker or see women in the not taken seriously as a political entity, following the tradi- important leadership position, both in political parties or tional and conservative belief that men are supposed to be governance hierarchies, because of which accomplishing a born leader, whereas, women are merely a home-maker gender inclusive political structure seems far-fetched. and the lack of realisation of the capabilities and potentials Nepal received its first female Head of State with of women as political leaders by the mind-set of male chau- Vidya Devi Bhandari as the President in 2015, but the pres- vinism. ence of women leaders and decision maker in the federal, Apart of these, lack of media coverage of the news provincial and local governance level and political parties’ related to the women political leaders is another major fac- structure is dismal. Women being the Head of State is a tor which prevents women to be seen at the fore-front of good initiation in our political paradigm, however being it the political platform. This may be likely that the medias also a ceremonial head, was the logic behind her selection don’t see or find any women politician as a political party by the political parties to the highest position of the country. ideologue, policy-maker, communicator or a mass-mover. Although the Constitution of Nepal 2015 was It’s sad to say, not a single big media house, has ever given based on the principle to build inclusive democracy, there the executive head position to any women in their entity, has been lack of fair representation of women and margin- despite the so-called growth of Nepali media-dom! Main- alised community in the politics. There are very few active stream medias do not prioritise and disseminate the news women leaders in the fore-front in politics, economy, civil of the issues raised by the women leaders, which shows society and social framework and these too do not represent women not being active and participative in the major de- the population of ordinary grass-roots’ women of Nepal. cision-making processes in the eyes of the general public. Most of them are either wives, daughters or close relatives In 2017, Nepal embarked into the federal structure of the male leaders who are in the power-exercising po- after completing the local, provincial and federal elections. sition in their respective political parties or the country’s Election Commission (EC) mandated that 40.4% of total overall politics.The blatant misuse of Proportionate Rep- nominees be women and also the nominations for chief resentation (PR) Election System in favour of female rela- and deputy chief put forth by each political party should tives have raised questions about the validity of such elec- be gender-neutral in nature, meaning if mayor’s position

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 34 VIEWPOINT is occupied by a male then deputy mayor should be a fe- the constitution to neutralize the PM’s recommendation. 2) male or vice-versa. As the result of this, 40.9% of the seats Soon after, political leaders of the various parties put forth were then occupied by female. This shows that political their opinions and arguments on this matter reprimanding parties didn’t nominate the women representatives volun- the House dissolution, however, none of the women politi- tarily, rather they simply had to do it after EC compulsori- cians were either found to be in the front-line giving their ly mandated to do so. Further, when we research in-depth, stand-point or listened by media, about their voices on this we can find only 2 percent of the local governments across national conundrum. This clearly demonstrated that Nepal the country are actually headed by women (15 out of 753). has not been able to groom a single woman leader of a high This is a stark contrary against the constitutional right of political stature as of today, and the increasing representa- so-called inclusive gender representation. tion of women through affirmative actions and favouritism Even though done with the EC mandate for gen- seems totally implausible. 3) The President, being a woman der equality in election, local election was a step towards had to pass through a torturous moment, when she was la- quantitative advancement but a step backward in quali- belled, battered and humiliated with personal attacks and tative political representation of women in Nepal. Hav- hate speeches in public protests and social media. All these ing said that, reserved quotas seem to be the only method unfortunate situations concurred, simply because she is a through which wom- woman. en are able to secure Gender their seats propor- Equality and Social tionate to their male Inclusion (GESI) is counterparts.At the imperative in poli- end, gaining presence tics in present day of women in politics Nepal hence polit- through affirmative ical parties should actions like quota be gender-sensitive system doesn’t help at all times in order secure democracy in to create just and fair true sense. Token- society for women to ism as such doesn’t voice their opinions help in the mean- and help promote ingful participation meaningful partic- of women and their ipation of women empowerment. In- politicians. Rather creasing the number than focussing on af- of female represent- firmative actions and atives through quotas merely increasing only help accelerate the number of wom- the representation of women but to have inclusive govern- en, political parties need to mentor and give participative ance, higher number of elected women representatives are opportunity for women so that true women political leaders needed. are born in the country. In country like Nepal, only hav- Increasing women’s representation through af- ing GESI policy is not sufficient, it should also be practised firmative actions or solely appointing kith and kin have a effectively especially, role-modelled in public affairs. -Mi long-lasting impact in the national politics where the suf- sogyny and various forms of discrimination against women ferers are the general public. Such actions have a major set- leaders should stop, rather they should be provided with back for Nepal to own a female leader at present and in the meaningful support within the political party as well as in future too. It has direct bearing in the major decision-mak- the governance. Favouritism should be put to an end so that ing in the national politics. potential women leaders coming from grass-roots level too In present day context, the controversial dissolu- get opportunities. Society also need to change their patriar- tion of Parliament has been criticised in three aspects in chal mind-set and not be reluctant to take women as their relations to inclusive politics: 1) The only women President leader, since women leaders are the future of today and to- of the country Mrs Bhandari was condemned by political morrow. Women have shown their acumen to resolve crises parties and intelligentsia, that she acted under duress by en- and pandemic with ease, their leadership are a solid shield dorsing the dissolution, recommended by the PM, who hap- to corruptions and misappropriation for public funds, and pens to be a male, without having her say. However, every- they abide by the rule of law. one was silent whether the President, who obliged to act The author holds a Master of Science degree in Gender and as per the recommendation, has the discretionary power in Development Studies from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand.

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 35 ARITICLE 2020 – The Year That Was

During 1962/63 there was a popular satirical program Like the ‘Mini Indonesia’, a ‘Mini Nepal’ in the UK, presented by David Frost, Bernard Levin should be constructed somewhere within our country to and others under the title ‘That was the week that was’ depict the lifestyles, customs, cultures and traditions of or TW3 which is now a faint memory. This Corona the several of the various ethnicities and tribes that con- pandemic of 2020 has been an eerie experience which stitutes Nepal. This will be very interesting to not only we would like to forget. Nepalis had looked forward to BY: HEMANG DIXIT foreigners but also to locals to know our land better. this year’s ‘Visit Nepal 2020’, like that of 1998 and 2011 The idea of a museum at Narayan Hiti Durbar was ap- to be a great game changer for our country. With the elusive Yeti propriate. The statues of the Rana PM could perhaps be shifted projected as a symbol, expectation was that a tourist bonanza there from the Tundikhel so that people can gaze at our history. would follow but unfortunately this turned out to be a whimper. New projects must be taken up. One notes that the The reality should now dawn in the minds of tourism industry Peace Pagoda, Mountain and Gorkha Museums have aided tour- experts that they must depend more on the locals plus the people ism in Pokhara. Even a Shiva statue being constructed there will in regions adjacent to us. The rumoured ‘two day’s weekend’ draw devotees. Buddhist statues existing at different site also as being contemplated will hopefully get Nepalis to get to know attract visitors. A Vyas statue is contemplated at Tanau. Beni their country better. This will lead to the development of Home Nagarpalika is said to be constructing a Ravan Park as Ravan, Stay facilities all over the country to facilitate this. his two brothers and sister are supposed to have been born at Individuals, from far off lands will hesitate to- trav Beni Bazar in Myagdi District. This facility will perhaps attract el to distant places but it is not just the effect of this pandemic Sri Lankar tourists there. that caused this setback to tourism in Nepal. Since the time that October Fest is held during the course of the month legendary Boris of Royal Hotel, by courtesy of Thomas Cook in Munich in Germany. It is claimed in Nepal that as much as brought tourists here, things have changed enormously. New three-quarters of annual consumption of alcohol occurs during thinking has to percolate into the minds of our tourism leaders the period between Dasain & Tihar. As many varieties of regular that it is the development of middle class facilities that is going and craft beers are produced in Nepal it would be a good idea to to pull the industry out of the glut that it is in. Simple, clean hold a similar festival annually here too. This will attract visitors facilities with reasonable prices have to be offered so that the from the South to taste our varieties of beer at various strategi- Nepalis and others from nearby neighbouring lands come in the cally placed watering holes along our Southern border e.g. at Bi- visit places in Nepal. ratnagar, Hetauda, Bhairahawa, Dang and Nepalgunj! Any time We have to have lateral thinking. True that PM Oli has after July is ideal to get away from the Indian Heat waves which done a great job in stressing the construction of the Dharahara. are being made worse by presently occurring global warming. He will certainly be remembered for it. Because of his exam- As Westerners do not come here during their Christ- ple local bodies have been constructing just view towers too, mas & New Year we have to make alternative plans. Why not let thinking that visitors come to Nepal to see mountains only. Has people from the North for what can be termed the ‘Losar Season’ all thinking by local authorities gone haywire? Well, instead of extending from mid-Dec to mid-January? Perhaps some efforts mountains, what is there to see or do in Nepal? Adventure tour- should also be made to identify appropriate ice slopes so that ism, like paragliding at Pokhara and rafting plus bungee jumping Nepal can become a destination for skiing enthusiasts from all has been done at other places. Besides Pokhara, Rupa, and Be- over the world, gnas other sites where lakes exist e.g. Rara could be developed. Now that cannabis or hemp cultivation is no longer Locals must be encouraged and aided to do so. ostracised, efforts are essential to make proper usage. Formerly Amenities must be encouraged and facilities provided fabrics, textiles and other products were made there from. Bags at sites already functioning e.g. Mankamana, Chandra Giri & Sa- like those of jute, being biogradeable can replace plastics. Can- rankot so that services improve to make it visitor friendly. Oth- nabis has great potential is for medicinal use. Last but not the er cable cars facilities must be encouraged at appropriate sites. least is the possibility of building inexpensive dwelling with Museums showing different cultures e.g. Tharu at Sauraha and ‘Hempcrate’. Dang, Kirat at Dharan and Maithili at Janakpur must be set up As we try to deal with the pandemic, the rules and reg- like the museum at Pokhara. Local foods must be promoted like ulations regarding incubation periods must be rational and clear the Sauerkraut that is popular in Germany. Why not a Kimchi cut. Potential tourists do not have essential information. Let Festival as it is getting popular in Nepal or a Gundruk festival our government and Ministry of Tourism bring about rules that at Ghandruk. Cheese festival at Jiri with different varieties of are safe and beneficial to visitors and locals. cheese e.g. goat and buffalo are options. Delicacies from tama, The author is a retired medical doctor and writes fiction under sisnu, wuha, millet should be encouraged and propagated. After the pen name of Mani Dixit also. Website: www.hdixit.org.np. Twitter: @ all it all comes down to ‘Eat, drink and be merry’. manidixMithd

NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 36 NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 37 NEW SPOTLIGHT | Feb 12. 2021 | 38