This was during my tenure at the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC) in the capacity of a senior officer. The Secretary at the ministry had attached notes, asking us to expedite the process. [break]
I eventually realized that this was part of the global interest which intended to encourage the developing countries to accede to Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) framework.
It appeared to be an attractive means to reduce climate change. The attached ‘carbon credit’ incentives were supposed to prompt developing nations to contain their rate of forest depletion: an important source of atmospheric CO2. In the present case the WB through its Forest Carbon Facility (FCPF) was interested in extending its readiness support (called REDD Readiness) to several developing countries and had asked MFSC to take necessary actions, which were also a prerequisite for them to extend further support for REDD Readiness. Supposedly, the letter had initially come to the planning division which had passed the ball onto our court due to the challenges involved in implementing the proposal.
I immediately communicated with professional colleagues, who seemed impressed and promised collaboration. The first task was to prepare what was known as Readiness Plan Idea Note (RPIN) to be eventually submitted to the FCPF within a stipulated date. After a couple of meetings with key people, we realized that ownership of all relevant stakeholders was a key to success.
Soon we started writing RPIN with full-fledged cooperation from relevant stakeholders including representatives of community forest user groups and indigenous peoples. We were overwhelmed by the fact that we were able to finalize, secure formal endorsement and submit our RPIN to the FCPF within the narrow timeframe. Fortunately, our effort did not go in vain.
Nepal’s RPIN was identified as one of the best submissions among 26 countries that had contested the process. This qualified Nepal, along with other successful countries, for US $0.2 million in support to write the detailed Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP). Successful RPP would make us eligible for roughly US $6 million for REDD readiness.
The good news spread like wildfire. The media in particular highlighted the issue, raising a great deal of expectation among stakeholders. So much so that MFSC realized the need to open a separate cell called ‘REDD-Forestry and Climate Change Cell’. I, as someone actively involved in the process, was chosen to work as the chief of the entity. Within months we were moving fast in terms of writing RPP. A part of the process was our participation at important WB and UNFCCC events abroad.
My added responsibility kept me busy in meetings both inside and outside the country. In the country, I had to interact with a host of government and civil society members, including the press. There was great interest in knowing what REDD was all about and how the country could benefit from it. The foreign component consisted of frequent meetings with FCPF that aimed to provide us tips on how to get along with writing RPP—in what was a novel job for us. In several instances, international civil societies wanted us to meet for solidarity purpose, aimed at taking consolidated voice to UNFCCC forums. I often participated in those events because MFSC would nominate me, in light of my experience.
However, some people started showing some sort of a grudge over the matter, particularly when it came to the question of overseas visits. My trip to cities like Paris and Washington must have flared resentments at least in some quarters. Apparently the main complain was over my frequent overseas visits while the others did not get such opportunities. Even while such controversies were brewing, I was once again invited to attend a FCPF meeting in London. The ministry decided to play it safe and sent someone else in my place. The overall purpose of invitation may have been defeated, but that is a different story.
Subsequently, the Rainforest Alliance sent me a direct invitation to attend the impending UNFCCC meeting in Bonn where they were supposed to discuss the REDD issue at length. This put me in a great dilemma. Opting to participate without government nomination could be a form of breach; but declining the offer could hamper our REDD readiness process. But since I had already received an air ticket from the sponsors to attend the event, I eventually decided to go by taking an official leave.
The ministry would not tolerate my participation and handed me a transfer letter upon my return. I was in fact transferred from Chief of the REDD cell to the post of District Forest Officer in Gulmi district out in the west. I was confused. First, I was worried about the future of REDD process as new leadership there could have found it difficult to handle the new job.
Second, the DFO position in Gulmi was in fact junior class II position which evidently was far removed from my actual class I position. I visited the secretary to voice my concern, but all that he could say was that he had already made the decision. I was forced to bid good bye to the REDD initiatives and take an 18-month-long leave.
I wish Nepal benefits from REDD no matter who leads the process. Nonetheless, I am eagerly waiting to see if we can actually manage to sell forestry carbon by June 2014: the original scheduled date. It worries me that there is nothing in the horizon yet.
The author is former Joint
Secretary at Ministry of Forests
and Soil Conservation
Related story
Hard Rock Café celebrates its first anniversary
