The present Oli government, after being accused of the failure of supplying oil in sufficient amount throughout the country, has been selling firewood in the Kathmandu valley. This strategy of the present government to eradicate the ongoing crisis is causing indoor pollution resulting in the rise in the atmospheric temperature in an era when the concept of control in global warming has been rapidly widening in most parts of the world. Nepal has missed World Climate Change Conference held in France, Paris in late November with an ambitious attempt to battle global warming and hold back the earth’s rising temperature in the presence of the world’s top class leaders with a motto to collectively pledge allegiance for reducing greenhouse emissions through various negotiating accords. Nepal is the only country in South Asia that failed to submit the presentation and documents necessary for setting the tone with regard to the comprehensive discussion on combating the effects of climate change and an overwhelming target of limiting global temperature to 2°C in the recent UN-Climate Change Conference. Nepal couldn’t utilize the global platform regarding the issue of global warming, which is quite disappointing. This is really a missed opportunity for Nepal to convey to the world’s giant leaders, especially donors, regarding the efforts that have been made by the country to tackle with the problem of global warming and climate change. Now, Nepal might have realized the gist of a saying, “Lost opportunities are easier recognized when they are leaving rather than when they are coming.”Maybe, Nepal government’s eyes couldn’t reach this huge Summit due to the current misery it is facing.

Sanjog Karki, Palpa

Demands

The United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) leader and Chairman of Sadhbhawana Party Rajendra Mahato is reported to have stated in Delhi last Tuesday that the Madhesi parties have been demanding a separate province respecting Nepal’s sovereignty till now and would go into revolt for a separate nation if the ruling parties do not listen to their present demands. It seems that Mahato’s demands are serious. Confusion prevails today. The internal problems of the country should be settled amicably. Failure to this might lead to greater chaos and violence. This would not do the country any good. The 22 districts of the Tarai-Madhes could be divided into two provinces--Eastern and Western. The people of hill origin settled in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur could be proportionately represented in the administrative machinery of the Eastern and Western provinces with the Narayani River as the boundary between the two provinces. Nepal is very different from the rest of the world. Unity in diversity should be promoted in Nepal. All sides should be more responsible, including the ruling coalition partners, if the present deadlock is to be ended. Peace and stability should be the prime concern of all the parties.

Megha Nepal, Kathmandu