Sankhuwasabha, Nov 25:

UK Minister for International Development Mike Foster today expressed concern over the impact of climate change in the south Asian region after making a trip to the Himalayan Region.

“I saw retreating glaciers and glacial lakes full to bursting. These are some of the impacts of climate change. It will mean more floods and less water in the dry season,” said

Minister Foster, addressing the journalists after the trip.

He urged Nepal to take forward its negotiations regionally with India and other neighbours to arrive at an equitable regional deal for the management of water resources.

“This is a threat not just to the millions of people in the plains of Nepal but in India and Bangladesh too. Better management of Himalayan water will mean not just men reduced flooding, but will also mean more reliable water supplies for agriculture, and increased electricity generation to fuel economic growth in Nepal and in the region.” “More must be done to better protect its population from this and other types of natural disasters. Disasters that will occur more frequently with climate change,”

“ I am pleased to be able to also announce DFID’s and other support, to help the government development its National Adaptation Plan of Action plan for adverse impacts being brought about by climate change.”

Minister Foster who is in a four-day visit to Nepal today visited Dhunge Dhara Thulopakha Community Forest in Sankhuwasabha and interacted with community forest user’s groups in the area. He also visited Koshi flood victims in Shreepur village development committee in Sunsari district, where local infrastructures are significantly damaged by Koshi flood in August. Minister Foster announced an assistance of Rs 166 million to support for those affected by the Koshi River floods in August this year.

The construction of roads in isolated rural areas is without a doubt one of the most effective ways to open up some of the poorest parts of Nepal to development.