Nepal is agriculture country with highest contribution in GDP 33% plus, yet the national capital investment is low 2% around. Mostly depends on rain fed irrigation and the practices is traditional with fragmented land, climate change has badly affecting the agriculture. Some research has been done and policy makers often try to formulate policy to comprehend the situation, yet their efforts are yet to reach to the grass root farmers.

In this connection, two days interactive program was held on April 20-21, 2012 in Kathmandu: “Science Interface on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Nepal” in leadership of Himalayan Alliance for Climate Change (HIMCCA). The other partners are the Ministry of Environment Government of Nepal, The Communicator, Next Generation Parliamentarian Group (NGPG). The program was hosted by Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), widely known institute working in the field of agriculture research. It has given special attention in the South Asia through it’s a program: Climate Change and Food Security (CCAFS).

The program was facilitated by Er. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister,
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.

To make the workshop fruitful, a consultative meeting was done at 16 April mainly focusing to interact with parliamentarians.

In the eve of the workshop, the newsletter platform “CCAFS’ Climate Smart Agriculture Learning Platform, South Asia (CSALP)” was launched by Rt. Honorable President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. Dr. Pramod K. Agrawal, South Asia Regional Program Leader briefed about CSALP. Honorable President Dr. Yadav appreciated the efforts of interface among researcher, policy makers and farmers. President Dr. Yadav drew the attention of scientific communities for the fast deteriorating condition of the Chure Bhabar range, the buffer zone of the Mountain Hill and Terai Plain. Dr. Yadav also wished the workshop be productive.

The two days workshop was opened with Hon. Minister Hem Raj Tater, Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal with his key note speech highlighting the overview of Nepal Government’s position and strategies to cope with climate change issue. The first day was focused for the interfacial discussion among the experts, bureaucrats and policy makers whereas the second day was focused to share the understanding and views of the member of Constituent Assembly (CA). The second day was opened by Hon. Ahmad Akabal Shah, Minister; Ministry of Agriculture Government of Nepal, who emphasized the need to agricultural activities to make major thrust of the national development.

There were four categories of participants: the Constituent Assembly (CA) members, High level bureaucrats of the Government of Nepal, Research Scientists from Government authorities, NGOs/ INGOs, and farmers.

Series of consultative meeting were held before the main workshop event with researchers, members of constituent assembly, politicians, research scientists that helped to make the workshop productive.

The general objective of the program was to share our understandings of climate change and the strategies to address among the policy makers, research scientists, academia and famers. The program was fruitful to meet the designated objective. Participants from each category received some useful comments and suggestions from the sharing and discussion for further endeavors.

The following are the general inferences:

• There is lack of coordination among the stakeholders: Research institutes and implementing agencies
• There is communication gap between Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal in Government’s position on climate change issues mitigation and adaptation
• There is need of sectoral harmonization among agriculture research and development
• Model of public, private partnership has been indispensable for the appropriate management of climate change in agriculture
• There is need to enhance of communication among the all the stakeholders

The introduction of smart agriculture by Dr. Pramod Agrawal, Regional Program Leader, CCAFS and Dr. Gopal Bhatt, Science Officer, CCAFS was highly appreciated by workshop.

Other resource persons were Dr. James Hansen (CCAFS), Dr. Hari Dahal (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture), Mr. Battu K Upreti (Joint secretary, Ministry of Environment), Dr. Pramod K. Aggrawal (CCAFS), Dr. Gopal Bhatta (CCAFS), Hon. Renu Chand (CA), Hon. Sunil Babu Pant (Chair, NGPG), Dr. Dil Bahadur Gurung (ED, NARC), Dr. Netra Timalsina (ED, NGO Federation). The presentation was commented by some eminent experts / planers as Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel (Former vice-chairman, National Planning commission), Keshab Baral (Former Minister), Er. Adarsa Pokhrel (Former Director General, DHM) with their views as panellists.

The participants and resource persons have expressed their view saying that CCAFS have set new milestone for revising and updating the concept developed from the Kathmandu workshop. We wish CCAFS success its future endeavour.

For Detail Report please contact: HIMCCA, ED jkcmane@gmail.com, 977-1-4378513

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992.

Nepal is celebrating the UN Water Day week long with various programs. HIMCCA has been organizing various programs and also contributing national committee.

This year HIMCCA organizes following programs as main host and as co-host.

1. 20 March, 2012 (Main Host): VDC Interaction Program, “Water Picnic” Shivapuri Height, with slogan” आजको गाउँ भोलिको शहर पानी स्रोतको स्यहार गरौ हरप्रहर”
2. 16 March, 2012 (Co-host): बागमती नदी पुनर्स्थापनाका चुनौती र समाधानहरु Challenges in restoring Holy Bagmati River
3. March, 2012 (Co-Host): Importance of water in religious aspect; Our responsibility
4. March, 2012 (Co-Host): Challenges and constraint for the Water Supply and Sanitation of the Kathmandu Valley

Of those programs, Water Picnic was unique and fruitful.

Click here for more detail.

Solid waste management is one of the major challenges for the urban areas of Nepal. The situation is even worse in the Kathmandu Metropolitan. The habit of not separating the waste that can be recycled from the one that can be decomposed is adding more problems to the managing waste. Normally 70 % of the waste comprises of organic materials that can be decomposed to make organic fertilizers. And the rest that cannot be decomposed have to be reused or recycled. The use of plastic is making it even more difficult for solid waste management. Having concern of this thing, along with the help of Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance Centre and GPYC Nepal, Himalayan Alliance of Climate Change (HIMCCA) and Gharelu Tatha Sana Udhyog jointly organized a one week long training program entitled “Handmade Paper & Material Production” on 22^nd Magh, 2068 BS at Kathmandu Metropolitan 3, Bansbari.

For the Report please click the link Handmade Paper & Material Production under the heading Documents