Although there have been other clean up campaigns in the past, it’s just been limited for a day and we don’t believe that will change anything. It should be a habit. So, we also have plans to involve many people from many districts all over the country to come together and clean up their areas. We want to do this in September.[break]
Young people can make a difference by cleaning up the mess in their own houses and also by learning to manage the waste. They can learn vermicomposting and use the compost in their kitchen garden. Those who lack space can use pots to grow flowers or even vegetables. They can also learn to make different articles out of reusable materials; use bottles as pots, make doormats out of newspapers.
Kabita Gautam,
Founder and Mentor, Nepal Tunza Youth Environment Network
ICIMOD as a regional intergovernmental organization is working closely with its member countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan to address some issues considering highland-lowland interactions and transboundary cooperation. Realizing the need of engaging youth in this process, ICIMOD has been operating a dedicated youth initiative since 2009 that builds capacity on environmental issues and practical approaches to take initiatives.
It also offers networking opportunity with likeminded people and institutions and exposes them to global community where the youth can advocate mountain issues. In four years the ICIMOD youth initiative has trained over 500 youth and formed a network of over 4000, representing most of the Asia Pacific countries. Some of our alumni are now leading the youth, sustainable development and climate change debates at national and global level.
Tek Jung Mahat
Knowledge Management and Network Officer, ICIMOD
One of the projects we’re working on is eco system based adaptation in Panchase region of Kaski, Parvat and Syanjha. This is a four year project that is being piloted in Peru, Uganda and Nepal by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany. Climate change is inevitable and this project tries to help the local people adapt to the changing climate. We help the locals to plant according to the suitability of the climate in their region, build ponds to erase problems in irrigation, etc.
Our youth can help by first being aware of the problems of the changing climate. It’s important that this start at the school level. Then with that information they can participate and spread awareness.
Amit Poudyal,
Communication and Outreach Officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN
WWF Nepal directly works with Eco Clubs in various schools. The students present street dramas, take part in clean up campaigns and are also involved in the Green Lumbini Initiative project where the plan is to plant one million trees within 10 years. I think this project crosses religious boundaries and brings everyone close together.
Simrika Sharma Marasini,
Senior Communications Officer, WWF Nepal
Last September we organized a workshop on green economy and we will hold another one toward the end of June. We’re inviting graduates to the workshop where they can discuss and learn about green economy and the context of it in Nepal. The participants will also come up with an agenda at the end of the workshop.
Green economy includes vermicomposting and that’s something that youths can easily learn and inculcate in their household.
Jeeban Panthi,
Research Coordinator, Small
Youth can contribute and help themselves by forming clubs and placing demands for proper sanitation in their schools. And, realizing their responsibilities, they can also help to keep the facilities clean and sustainable. Such youth clubs have proven to be successful in many instances. Most importantly, youth must be vocal and must not shy away from the problems they are facing at school to pursue their education.
Samira Shakya,
Advocacy and Campaigns Officer, WaterAid Nepal
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