In an exclusive conversation with myrepublica.com on the spot with the peak of Mt. Everest in the background, an enthusiastic Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said, "It´s not just the Himalayan people of Nepal who have been victims of climatic change, but the rise in temperature will now affect 1.3 billion people altogether." He added, "We want to draw the attention of the world to the plight of the Himalayas and its people through this meeting."
The cabinet meeting, which lasted almost an hour began (almost an hour behind schedule) at 9:20 a.m. with an address by the PM, who highlighted the urgent need to address climate change issues and their impact in Nepal. After that, the chief secretary read out the 10-point declaration.
As per the declaration, the government has expressed its commitment to do all it takes to save the Himalayas and to draw attention and urge a common voice among South Asian countries and other states. It also declared that Nepal will engage in research and analysis of the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of people and on the rich bio-diversity of the country, together with launching an awareness drive at both local and national levels.
A pre-information mechanism would be developed, the declaration said, in order to address the problem in timely fashion, increase resilience and adopt capacity-building measures. Also, the the cabinet declared that the total conservation area would now be extended to 25 percent and the jungle area would be brought up to 40 percent. In this regard, the cabinet declared that Api-Nampa (1,903 sq km, Darchula district) and Gauri-Shankhar Conservation Area (2,035 sq km in Ramechhap and Dolakha districts) would be added to the total conservation area in the country.
The declaration also stated that Nepal will seek support from the international community to assess the socio-economic and cultural impact of climate change on the lives of people and also in sectors like agriculture, forests and others. For this, it said the government would implement appropriate policies and programs.
Stating that it is important to urge the highest emitters of green-house gases (GHG) to reduce emissions drastically at the upcoming COP-15, the cabinet also endorsed the proposal to seek at least 1.5 percent of GDP of developed countries to fight climate change and to take initiate to benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The cabinet stated that Nepal will lobby to maintain greenhouse gas levels below 350 PPM and request developing countries not to take the average temperature 1.5 degree Celsius beyond the pre-industrial level.
Realizing that very little attention and study has gone into the field of climate change, the declaration said the government will take initiative in assessing the impact of snow and glacier melt, including seeking compensation from carbon-emitting nations.
"We need to work in a united manner with countries in South Asia and other states to initiate meaningful effort in addressing the challenges posed by the climate change."
The meeting was held amidst much excitement.
The ministers who reached the spot for the meeting at Kala Patthar at an altitude of 5,372 meters above sea level (170 m below the height of Kala Patthar, which is 5,542 m), seemed to be much pleased and full of life. The PM arrived at the venue at 9:05 a.m. and was welcomed by the locals of Gorakshep. He spent some time
clicking pictures with family members, a few ministers and others present including some mediapersons and rescue workers. The rest of the cabinet joined the meeting at various intervals from Loboche.
"It is very comfortable and beautiful here and we are enjoying ourselves," the PM told myrepublica.com before the meeting, adding, "This cabinet meeting will make a wave all the way down to countries by the sea. It is not only us, but also nature that will take our message to the world."
The cabinet ministers were seen busy clicking pictures individually and also in groups after their meeting. Three helicopters of the Nepal Army, Shree Air and Fishtail Air flew the ministers and others back to Syangboche. The PM arrived at Syangboche at 11.20 p.m. Deputy PM Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar was flown down immediately after the meeting as he complained of high-altitude sickness.
At Syangboche, the PM attended a local cultural program and addressed a press conference of 70 journalists and hundreds of locals. He was placed on yak-back along with his wife Gayatri Nepal by women from the Mothers´ Group of Namche and Syangboche. There was also a cultural dance by locals in Sherpa attire.
The PM flew back to Lukla at 2:45 p.m. and left for Kathmandu at 4:15 p.m.
The 23 ministers also flew back immediately after the cabinet meeting.
akanshya@myrepublica.com