Kathmandu, October 20(Ashoj 4): A two-day workshop regarding the preparation of the International Conference on Climate (COP-29) and the impact of climate change on Karnali has been completed in the Rara Lake area of Mugu. The workshop organized jointly by the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the organization ‘Sath Sathai’, which is working in the field of climate change, was concluded today with the release of a five-point manifesto.
In the event, Forest and Environment Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri said that the government of Nepal will raise its voice in international forums for compensation as Nepal has suffered injustice without doing anything wrong. He informed that necessary homework is being done to get the amount of climate fund as compensation at the United Nations Climate Conference. Minister Shahi said that due to the low budget allocated in the field of climate justice, attention will be paid to this matter while preparing the budget for the next financial year. He promised to bring the voice of Karnali to COP-29 this time with the impact of climate change on the people of Karnali.
Prajita Karki, president of Saath Saathai, expressed her concern that the beauty of Rara, the attractiveness of the mountains including Chayannath Himal is decreasing due to climate change. He said that he has come to Karnali to understand the impact of climate change on people’s lives and take initiatives to spread the voice of Karnali to the world.
Former Foreign Minister Dr. Bimala Rai Paudel, Climate Expert Dr. Manjit Dhakal, Advisor to the Ministry Dr. Madhav Karki, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment Deepa Wali, Member Secretary of the National Nature Conservation Fund Naresh Subadi, Director of Nepal Tourism Board Shraddha Shrestha, Sexual Minority Activist Bhumika Shrestha, Press Council of Nepal President Balkrishna Basnet, Head of Helambu Rural Municipality Nima Galzen Sherpa, Deputy Head of Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality Tasi Lama and others made various presentations on climate change.
On this occasion, a group discussion was held with representatives of various municipalities and conservationists who have suffered the effects of local and climate change, the organizing organization said at the same time. The workshop has concluded that Nepal as a whole is at high risk due to climate change and Karnali Province is even more at risk.
What are the five points in the manifesto?
In the declaration, it has been mentioned that Karnali Province has very little ability to deal with the risks of climate change. In addition, it has been emphasized that special priority should be given to implementing climate change related risk management and climate friendly activities in the development construction program implemented by the government at all three levels. Similarly, the impact of climate change on women, children, young marginalized communities, vulnerability and issues related to climate justice should be raised with special priority in international forums.
In the manifesto, it is mentioned that special emphasis should be placed on the cooperation of the international community to deal with the effects of climate change in Nepal and to get opportunities for climate-friendly development. “It is necessary to improve the capacity of all three levels of government by taking a scientific account of the impact of climate change on local people’s livelihood and natural disasters, risk management and reducing the impact”, the manifesto states, “In the upcoming COP-29 conference, the impact of climate change in Nepal and the opportunities that can be obtained” Also, special initiatives should be taken regarding the need for climate finance to implement climate-friendly programs.”