Happy International Women's Day 2024! 🌟

This year's theme, "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," resonates deeply with the core values of empowerment and progress. It's not just about speaking up; it's about taking tangible actions that make a real difference in both local and remote communities.

Creating an environment that fosters support and encouragement for women is crucial for their growth and confidence. While challenges may arise, once women are empowered and ready to move forward, the acceleration of progress becomes inevitable. 

I've had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of investing in women firsthand. In a remote area like Thalara Bajhang, we (SRIJANA project team) took steps to support local women through entrepreneurship initiatives. We provided training in processing Himalayan Nettle Fiber (Allo), preparing thread, and weaving, but realized that access to resources was a significant barrier to starting businesses.

Our support didn't stop at training; we also provided resources for local-level processing machines and tools. Additionally, we facilitated tailoring training for making various products from Allo fiber. From these efforts emerged the "Malika Bhawani Allo Group," formed by local women to process and market Allo and its products. 

Today, this group stands as a testament to the power of investment in women. They've not only succeeded in operating their business but have also become agents of change within their community.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I urge development agencies to prioritize investments in valuable inputs and specific groups and individuals who can create meaningful change. Let's remember that our actions speak louder than words, and investment is the key to sustainable development and progress.

Here's to a future where every woman is empowered to thrive and contribute to a brighter tomorrow. Happy International Women's Day!

Sincere thanks to Indira Rai and the entire SRIJANA PYS Team who have been tirelessly working to ensure the success of this enterprise at the local level. Additionally, we express our gratitude to donor agency for their funding support. We hope for sustainable and continuous support from the local government and stakeholders to further develop this initiative

Thank you ! 

The Crying Sirsiya River (Birgunj): A Tale of Neglect and Hope

As I journeyed along the India-Nepal border, my second visit to Raxaul, India, was marred by a troubling sight. Amidst the routine of travel and commerce, my attention was drawn to the Sirsiya River. What I beheld was not the serene flow of a typical river but a dismal sight – its waters were a deep, ominous black. 

I approached the river anxiously, but the workers who were digging a ditch along the bank warned me not to get too close. They cautioned that the water was falling heavily and the river itself was polluted and dangerous; touching it could cause numbness and itchiness. Despite their warning, I observed the scene and managed to take two or four pictures. Reflecting on the experience, I felt compelled to write something.  

Current situation of the Sirsiya River ( Photo by Tek) 

The Sirsiya River, originating in the pristine Ramban forest of Jitpur Simara Sub-metropolitan 3, was once a symbol of natural beauty and vitality. However, as it meandered its way towards Birgunj, it fell victim to the relentless onslaught of industrial pollution. Over the past four decades, rapid industrialization in the Birgunj-Pathalaiya area has resulted in unchecked discharge of solid and liquid waste directly into the river's stream. The transformation of the Sirsiya River from a clear, flowing stream to a murky depth is a testament to the collective failure of industrial mismanagement and the environmental and social impacts of unplanned industrial development. With over 2000 industries shamelessly dumping their waste into its waters, the river has become a symbol of environmental degradation and human indifference.

Source of the Sirsiya River (Ramban) (Google Earth Photo)

As the Sirsiya River languishes in agony, it is not just the river itself that suffers. Over 20 communities, both in Nepal and across the border in Bihar, India, bear the brunt of its pollution. The once vibrant tradition of bathing in its waters during the month of Kartik has become a distant memory, as the younger generation remains oblivious to its former glory.

A Call to Action:

Despite efforts by local authorities and environmental activists, concrete action to address the plight of the Sirsiya River remains elusive. While committees have been formed and reports submitted, little has been done to stem the tide of pollution and restore the river to its former glory.

As a development practitioner dedicated to social and environmental causes, I urge the federal and local governments, along with all concerned stakeholders, to heed the cry of the Sirsiya River. Let us not allow indifference and neglect to drown out the voice of nature. Let us take decisive action to cleanse and rejuvenate the Sirsiya River, turning its tears of sorrow into tears of joy once more.

Thank you.

Chasing Horizons: Motorbike Riding and Reflecting on Bagmati River (KTM - SIMARA VIA CHAPAGAUN)

When you embark on a journey through the landscapes via a motorbike, jeep, car, or bus, the anticipation of witnessing nature's wonders, high hills, lush green forests, and captivating scenery is ever-present. Today, with a similar purpose in mind, I planned a trip from Kathmandu to Simara, opting to travel via motorbike through Chapagaun. 

Taking my time, I traversed at my own pace, pausing to capture photos and videos along the way. A notable moment occurred when I encountered a place named "Baguwa," named for its proximity to the Bagmati River (approximately 1KM away). I stopped to take a clip and eventually reached the river itself, originally known as the Bagmati River. It was a profound surprise to witness the struggle of the Bagmati River's water in its attempt to retain its natural purity.

Contrary to the city-side Bagmati in Kathmandu, where we often perceive the water as waste (sludge), seeing the river in its natural form was a stark revelation. Reflecting on this, I realized how our daily activities, whether small or large, contribute to the deterioration of such natural wonders. Though I had observed similar instances for a long time, seeing the river in this state left me deeply moved, contemplating the consequences of our actions.

After traveling approximately 300 hundred meters uphill, I stopped once again to capture the view from the top, witnessing the river until the road turned, marking the last point of visibility. The sight was a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in transforming a once-beautiful river into a harsh and painful entity. I implore everyone, including myself, to take action and contribute to preserving the cleanliness of rivers and water bodies in their natural form.

Understanding the National Context

Just we can observe the national context of the WASH "Access to safe and adequate drinking water is a critical challenge for a significant portion of the Nepalese population. Despite an estimated 80% having access to drinking water, it is often unsafe, particularly affecting the poor and excluded groups in rural areas. Many in remote regions rely on polluted water sources, such as small mountain brooks, leading to lengthy travels for water. 

The deterioration of surface and groundwater in the Kathmandu Valley is a major concern due to natural and anthropogenic contaminations. Industrial and domestic waste, untreated sewage, and inadequate waste disposal contribute to water pollution, making rivers and lakes, the primary sources of drinking water, unsafe. In rural areas, reliance on tube wells is common, but the Terai Region faces the additional challenge of arsenic contamination in groundwater. Insufficient sanitation facilities, especially in rural areas, lead to dependence on local surface water sources, contributing to waterborne diseases. Limited water treatment facilities exacerbate the problem, resulting in high rates of illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and cholera. The vulnerable dry season from March to September increases the risk of waterborne diseases, with children under five being the most affected, causing an estimated 44,000 deaths annually in Nepal.

The experience left me pondering the significance of conserving natural rivers for the well-being of humanity. In the end, after a five-hour motorbike journey, I reached my destination in Bara (Simara), concluding a mixed and wonderful journey.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in the WASH/RIVER system; this account is based on factual information and personal observations.

Thank you.

Behind the Lens: The Startling Cruelty Unveiled in a Captivating Image of Animal Behavior

 In the midst of our ever-evolving world, the challenges faced by wild animals are becoming increasingly critical. One of the most complex issues they encounter is food scarcity, as highlighted by a recent encounter with a monkey displaying a surprisingly angry demeanor while devouring its meal. This observation underscores the growing impact of human activities on wildlife, shedding light on the intricate relationship between wild animals and their struggle for sustenance.

During my travels, I have noticed a significant shift in the behavior of monkeys, who are now approaching humans more closely and occasionally resorting to aggressive tactics, such as biting and scratching, to secure their share of resources. This alarming trend creates an atmosphere of fear and terror for humans, emphasizing the consequences of our actions over an extended period. It is evident that the current situation is only the beginning of a potentially escalating conflict between humans and wild animals, necessitating our preparedness to face increasingly violent threats.

The photograph I recently captured provides a poignant illustration of the complex dynamics surrounding wild animal feeding habits. Even when provided with food, the monkey's actions during its meal exhibit a cruelty that extends beyond the mere act of consumption. This observation serves as a testament to the profound impact of human-induced changes on animal behavior and highlights the urgent need for conservation and protection of their habitats at any cost.

The single depth observation serves as a valuable contribution to the understanding of animal behavior and could potentially support further to the researchers. By delving into the intricacies of these interactions, we may gain insights that can inform future conservation efforts and help mitigate the escalating conflicts between humans and wild animals.

Thank You !

CENSUS UPDATE 2021 (2078) - NEPAL

 CENSUS UPDATE 2021 (2078), NEPAL

Gender Status of Nepal 2021  

DISASTERS MANAGEMENT IS LIMITED TO SPEECH IN THE RURAL CONTEXT OF NEPAL

DISASTER MANAGEMENT IS LIMITED TO SPEECH IN THE RURAL CONTEXT OF NEPAL

Sometimes, even if the policies and procedures are adequate, the ground risks and problems are not addressed timely. Bajhang is one of the floods and landslides affected districts by unforeseen heavy rainfall of October 2021. The government and agencies recorded it as a high-risk settlement but, people are compelled to live by facing multiple hazards until the next option. The wondering factor is that their problem has been discussed in many places and also spent a huge budget but the risks are being more serious and sensitive 

1. High-risk village of Seti riverside, Bajhang (PC: Tek Singh Bhat) 

Climate change in Nepal, in recent years, has been the cause of major disaster events and is linked intractably to many such predicaments. One of the biggest changes we have seen in Nepal is the change in monsoon patterns in recent years, with the global circulation model (GCM) projects of increase in temperature between 0.5 0C to 2.0 0C with a multi-model mean of 1.4 0C by 2030s. This is certainly linked to changes in precipitation with at least a 14% decrease to 40% increase during monsoon. The changes, however, are already apparent. 

2. The Risk settlement of Bajhang, (PC: Tek Singh Bhat )

Nepal this year received above-normal precipitation. World Bank data estimates that Western Nepal to experience an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events. During late July and early August of 2021, Melamchi, one of the economic centres in Bagmati Province, Sindhupalchowk district faced devastating flash floods in decades sweeping more than two dozen houses and displacing more than a hundred families. Similarly, unseasonal heavy rain was beginning October 17, 2021, in the West of Nepal and continuing for several days and moved towards the East on October 19, 2021, causing havoc among many Nepali families. Authorities had reported deaths of at least 80 people due to the rain-triggered floods and landslides with billions of rupees in loss to roads, bridges, hydropower stations and other physical infrastructure. For the farmers, it was just the beginning of the harvesting season and the inundation caused by the heavy rainfall meant harvest-ready paddy fields were submerged in water causing the loss of billions in rupees for farmers. According to the official figures from the Office of Police Headquarters, Sudurpaschim Province, at least 37 people in the province had lost their lives, while another 17 people were sustained injuries, and at least 22 people have been still missing. Districts such as Doti and Bajhang had faced the highest number of death tolls with 16- and 12-people's deaths respectively, while the farmers in districts of Dadeldhura and Kailali incurred the biggest losses in their agricultural produce. The Agriculture Knowledge Center in Kailali estimated a loss of around 4 billion Nepali rupees alone in the Kailali district due to the sudden rainfall with over 38,000 hectares of paddy field completely destroyed, and over 17,000 hectares of paddy field partly destroyed. The Center also estimated around 75% of total farmers were affected, with over 83,000 households had listed as the most affected. (Reference: ministry of agriculture & livestock reports, October 2021)  

The federal and provincial governments had decided to come with relief plans for the affected households. The Sudurpaschim Province government had planned to mobilize around 250 million Nepali rupees in relief and recovery efforts. Similarly, the federal government had announced cash relief to the farmers up to 67 per cent of the loss to the smallholder farmers, the date and process of such disbursement are still unknown. As the farmers wait for relief from the authorities, they are in a state of bewilderment on how to adapt to the recent catastrophe. 

The affected families are currently struggling to meet their ends. With their produce lost due to inundation, market structures disturbed, homes and livestock destroyed, and with no apparent livelihood opportunities, the flood-affected families need immediate support to continue their living.  

3. A small village surrounded by the Seti River, Bajhang (PC: TEK)

4. Flood Affected Area of Deura, Bajhang (PC: TEK Singh Bhat)

5. A temporary bridge, built by the locals after washing away the suspension bridge. (PC:  TEK )

Individual opinion based on the field experiments and observation

Thank you! 

The rapidly melting mountains are signaling danger

The rapidly melting mountains are signaling danger

Excessive burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal by countries is one of the major challenges and risks faced by the least developed and developing countries such as Nepal which geography is in a sensitive state. It rises from as low as 59 metres (194 ft) elevation in the tropical Terai—the northern rim of the Gangetic Plain, through beyond the perpetual snow line to 90 peaks over 7,000 metres (22,966 ft) including Earth's highest (8,848-metre (29,029 ft) Mount Everest. 

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐮 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞.

Photo Credit: Shree Gurung

In my opinion, the countries which are depending on fossils fuels as a source of energy need to take acute action to save the planet and make a better place for living beings. 

Thank you!

TEk Singh Bhat