PM K P Oli’s visit to India is an opportunity to improve the bilateral ties with India that have never become so bad before. The blockade has also badly affected the southern neighbor. But it is the Nepalese people who have suffered the most. The blockade being over the supply of essential commodities, especially the petroleum products and LPG, the supply of these products has not been normalised yet. Life has not fully returned to normalcy despite the big claims made by government ministers. We have understood that their rhetoric of safeguarding nationalism has not helped improve the conditions of living and has not made any substantial changes to the people. What we need is to maintain a balanced relationship with India and China for the economic progress of the country. We expect that PM KP Oli’s upcoming visit to India will be instrumental in normalizing the relations that have remained tense for the last five months, especially after Nepal adopted a new constitution. Nobody is expecting any new deal on any major project as the agreements reached in the past in so many areas have remained non-starters. It would be better for both countries to express fresh commitment to complete those projects, especially the hydropower ones, on time so that both can reap benefits from harnessing Nepal’s abundant water resources. It is the only resource that can help change the living conditions of the people of both the countries. PM Oli who championed the passage of the Mahakali and Pancheswor Treaty 18 years ago should push for the execution of the Pancheswor Project during his visit to India.

Monica Lama, via e-mail

Plans for climate change

Extreme climate change has been a burning environmental issue for Nepal. Nepal being a mountainous country with varied topography and socio-economic conditions has experienced unusual climatic change and caused it to be the most vulnerable to water induced disasters and meteorological drought, storms and floods. This has been causing losses of life and property and damage to natural beauty and the environment. Despite such harsh consequences, the government is not showing much concern towards preventive measures regarding the effects of climatic change. There is 29 percent decrease in ice reserves and glacier lakes have increased by 11%. There is a high possibility of glacier lake outbursts which will pose threats to the overall development of the nation to a great extent. Despite this, the government does not have any effective plan of action to mitigate such threats related to climate change and prepare the people to tackle this global threat. There is unusual rise and fall in temperature, irregular rainfall and so on. Such changes in climate have negative impacts on everyone’s life. But no one seems to be working to minimize its consequences. The government with combined effort of public participation should work efficiently to mitigate the effects of environmental changes.

Aarshu Tiwari, via e-mail