Journalists' March-2: First Climate Conference Venue ‘Gufadanda’ Overlooked

Sindhulalchowk, July 13: The first climate conference venue ‘Gufadanda’ located in Ward 9 of Melamchi Municipality remains neglected due to lack of funds from the provincial and federal governments. 

In January 2019, Gufadanda was the host to the first national climate conference program organized by the then District Coordination Committee Sindhupalchowk with the participation of all 77 districts across the country. 

A 10-point climate-related declaration was also issued by the Gufadanda climate conference.

Some 54 kilometers west of Kathmandu, the site is now a tourist destination, adorned with a statue of a man carrying the earth, sending a message that the environment and the earth should be taken care of at the same time. 

Meanwhile, with the aim of raising public awareness to reduce the impacts of climate change in the place that is developing as a tourist destination, Journalists March-2 has been organized with the slogan ‘Contribution of Media Persons in Environmental Protection’.

Organized by Editors Society Nepal on Saturday, the program was attended by media persons affiliated with various media outlets. 

At the program, Mayor of Melamchi Municipality Aitaman Tamang complained that the provincial and federal governments have not paid due attention to the tourism potential of Gufadanda. 

He said that Gufadanda needs interest and investment from the State while pointing out the potential of making it a tourist destination full of natural beauty, religious and cultural importance.

Kiran Baidya, founding president of Editors' Society Nepal, and Shyam Dotel, general secretary, said that the interaction on the topic of 'Contribution of media persons in environmental protection' would play an important role in bringing out the problems and concerns of this region. 

Dhruv Dangal, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Sindhupalchowk, said pointed out the lack of cooperation and coordination between the three levels of government for the absence of attention to Gufadanda.

The media persons participating in the program emphasized the need to make the role of media more effective in spreading public awareness about the environmental crisis and the impact of climate change. A coordinated policy and long-term plan between the local, provincial and federal governments is necessary to combat climate change.

The program was chaired by Purna Bahadur Tamang, Chair of the School Management Committee of Kyulethana Basic School. 

Ramesh Sthapit, Mayor of Shankharapur Municipality, welcomed the media personnel participating in the trek and informed them that cooperation with the editors' society would continue.  (RSS)