Speaker for policy execution to curb climate change effects

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, July 23 : Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has said that the issues related to climate change should be taken seriously. Speaking at a programme 'Meet the Members of Parliament' organised by the Ministry of Forest and Environment on Friday, Speaker Sapkota assured that the Federal Parliament will help and work together to address the issues related to the climate change. He stressed the need for implementing policies effectively to minimise the effects of climate change.

The programme is a series of events organised to mark the "International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022 (IYM2022)" declared by the United Nation General Assembly. 

Speaker Sapkota said, "What lessons we have learned from climate change is the big question. As I represent Sindhupalchwok, the most affected district by climate change, we are more vulnerable to climate change. All the disasters have given us a lesson for further preparedness and planning," he said.

He said Nepal should also learn a lesson from the climate crisis being faced by Europe now. 

"We have made excellent policies and plans but we are weak in their implementation. However, the climate change issues should be addressed and we, the members of federal parliament, will always work together to mitigate the climate crisis," he said.

Speaking at the programme, Minister for Forest and Environment Pradeep Kumar Yadav said that the mountain issue should be raised at the international level. He said although every part of the country –hills, mountains, and Terai lowland—is affected by climate change, protection of mountains should be given more importance. He also said he would not obstruct any development work but would not allow anyone to cut down the trees. "We need to save wild animals as well because they are the sources of income," Minister Yadav added.

Deputy Speaker Pushpa Bhusal said that the IYM2022 announcement was very important in the context of Nepal, and policy implementation was the vital part. The importance of mountains should be taught to the young generation, he added.

Dr. Pem Narayan Kandel, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, said protecting the mountains is important because 25 per cent of the world population is dependent on them.

At the programme, Joint Secretaries at the Ministry of Forests and Environment Dr. Radha Wagle and Dr. Sindhu Dhungana, Sewa Lamsal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Pema Glamcho presented papers regarding climate change and mountain development. Many lawmaker also were present in the programme.

The programme was organsied to present the year-long plan or roadmap of the IYM2022 programmes to the participating MPs, disseminate the issues and agenda of sustainable mountain development that Nepal has been raising in international forums. The UN General Assembly has designated the year 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development (IYM2022).  The resolution was endorsed by 94 governments including Nepal. 

The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal has been organising a series of events on mountains in the partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Dan Church Aid (DCA) and Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) Nepal.