Reasons To Worry
At a time when there are growing concerns over the climate change and its implications, Spotlight has rightly covered the issue how climate change is hitting the poor (October 03-23). Although nobody has any substantial evidence to prove that the present change in weather pattern results from climate change, it is almost certain that there is a linkage between them. Experts must seriously study the recent flash floods in far western region.
Kalyan Bastakoti
Perth, Australia Via Email
Heavy Price
I agree with you that poor Nepalese people, who contribute very insignificant amount of pollution, have to pay the price for climate change. From Nepal's two neighbors India and China to the United States of America and all other major industrialized countries, which have been emitting huge amounts of CO2 – must pay the price of emissions affecting the poor people. Although every one has been talking about the need to protect the rights of people, many people are suffering from unjust like in the climate change. Of course, the introduction of carbon trade is one of the good ideas to pay compensation to the world's less polluters but it seems the country like Nepal has to go a long way to get proper compensation. The article (Climate Change: Poor Hit Hard Spotlight October 03-23) is worthy to read.
Pushkar Koirala
Via email
Flood Fury
It is too early to say anything on the recent flooding in the far west region as a result of climate change (Climate Change: Hitting the Poor, Spotlight October 3-23). During the last three decades, Nepal's climate has definitely changed in terms of rising temperature. According to a study, the number of cold days have fallen and the number of warmer days and nights are going up. As a journalist, you have rightly pointed out the issue of recent flood linking it with the global warming but Nepal's experts must come out with evidence whether they see the effects in Nepal or not.
Shila Subba
Via email
Only Talking
Whether one likes it or not, the days ahead for the poor people of Nepal will be more miserable. They will have to pay high prices for all the changes in climate pattern. Nepal has been taking part in all the international conventions and conferences on the climate change since many years. Nepalese prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala took part in Rio Summit in 1993 and expressed number of commitments regarding environment. Similarly, the recent prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal also went around the world and pledged commitments to end the poverty by properly addressing the issues of environment. So far the implementations of the programs are concerned, they seem to be unaware about it. Koirala rode to power several times in the past but he too remained silent about his commitment to Rio. Present prime minister Dahal too seems to be following the path shown by his predecessors. Whoever may come to power and whoever rules the country, the fate of poor people seem to be similar. As long as the persons in the power remain unconcerned, nothing is going to change and poor will have to suffer a lot.
Shristi Lama
Via Email
Useless budget
Finance minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai's recent budget is no more than a budget presented to harm the poor people of Nepal. Whatever the terms finance minister Dr. Bhattarai used to describe him and his party, the budget hurts the poor and marginalized community the most. During their stay in the jungle, they dismantled all liberal and democratic political set up at the grass root level brutally and inhumanely killing representatives of liberals and now Dr. Bhattarai's budget attacked economic liberalism that evolved in the last 15 years. It seems that Dr. Bhattarai's team wants to massacre liberalism and diversifications. Is it possible to isolate Nepal's economy as Dr. Bhattarai and his mentor think? There is nothing to praise in the budget.
Kanak Shrestha
Via email
New Revelations
In his recent interview in Washington, finance minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has clearly said that he is not a Maoist. By revealing the truth, Dr. Bhattarai has served his countrymen. Making comment on his budget is now meaningless on the ground of ideology. As an opportunist lot, Maoists may say anything to please. The budget 2008 is an example.
Uttam Kanel
Via email
