Where are they?

Section 8 of the Environment Protection Act (EPA) -1997 has the provision for appointment of environmental inspectors as per the procedures of the Public Service Commission. The inspectors were to act for pollution control and carry out the recommendations of the

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.

However, even a decade after the enactment of EPA, the government is yet to make the appointments.

The higher education establishments in the country are producing sufficient skilled manpower on fields as diverse as Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering and Environmental

Management. But there aren’t enough government positions to utilise their knowledge and skills. The government should fulfil this legal provision without further delay.

Keshab Raj Joshi,

Kathmandu

Not lichen

It is nice to know that Singadurbar Baidya Khana Development Committee (SDBKDC) plans to produce herbal medicines using yarchagumba, “Ayurvedic medicines likely to be produced from yarchagumba soon” (THT, Jan. 21). This Himalayan herb is now being exported unprocessed. The country could generate more revenue if it could be exported in its processed form. However, I would like to inform the common readers that yarchagumba is not a lichen, as has been reported. Yarchagumba, which is scientifically called Cordyceps sinensis, is a fungus closely linked to mushrooms. It is an insect-borne parasitic fungus with the fruiting body grown over the head of a caterpillar.

Shiva Devkota,

Yarchagumba Researcher, Central Department of Botany, TU

Intolerable

Recently, I was in one of the most popular food joints in Kathmandu Mall. There, I probably had the worst food of my life. Surprisingly, the restaurant is quite popular and I would never have thought its hygienic standard would be so poor. I had to spit out a dead cockroach while consuming the food they had served. When in expensive restaurants, we at least expect them to serve hygienic food. The authorities should act to ensure that the restaurants serve quality food.

Sani Shrestha, Lalitpur

No way

The decision of the agitating Madhesi outfits to call for bandhs and strikes to voice their demands does not bode well for the upcoming CA election slated for April 10. The frequent closures will only act as hindrances to the peace process. If the polls aren’t held, the demands of the Tarai outfits might never be met.

Ankita Upadhyay,

via e-mail

Bird flu

This is in response to the news report “Bid to inform about bird flu” (THT, Jan. 22). Though the effort of the District Veterinary Office, Jhapa, to inform people about bird flu is laudable, most veterinary surgeons in Nepal, are used to handling even deadly diseases like bird flu

frivolously. This is a serious concern. The country cannot afford to let in even a single bird with the disease through the porous border.

Shiva Neupane, via e-mail