Local stakeholders of Pokhara held a discussion on raising collective voices to save the Himalayas of Gandaki region.
Organizing a dialogue on “The Voice of Himalaya Parbat” at Tuse Village of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-1 on Saturday, they said that climate change has directly and indirectly affected different sectors in the Gandaki region.
They published a 11-point declaration to unite for climate justice in the Gandaki region.
''Gandaki region is more at risk of climate change impacts,” Minister for Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province Besh Bahadur Poudel said, highlighting the urgent need for effective climate action.
The Save Our Himalaya First (SOHF) Nepal in collaboration with Gandaki Province Forest Ministry, Province Policy and Planning Commission, Gandaki University, INSEC, NGO Federation Nepal Gandaki, Pokhara Metropolitan City Office, Rural Municipalities of Kaski, Mukta Foundation and Utpidit Mahila Jagaran Kendra among others organized the event.
Around 200 local villagers took part in the event, urging authorities to compensate the people of Kharapani area affected by the floods in Seti river in 2015,
''It is most painful to recall that incident in which 72 people lost their lives and around half dozen people went missing,” Machhapuchhre Municipality Vice Chair Sita Adhikari said.
Various issues like flash flood hazard in Himalayan region, climate change, women and tourism, climate change and human rights and climate and biodiversity in the Gandaki region were discussed in the program.
Dr Krishna KC, Geographer Khagendra Raj Poudel, tourism entrepreneur Lucky Chhetri Karki, NHRC Gandaki Chief Nitu Gadtaula and Director of LIBIRD Bharat Bhandari aired their views on the issues.
Local people thanked the organizers and stakeholders for holding such an important program in Tuse Village, expressing commitment to keep the environment always safe and sound.
Gandaki Province Policy and Planning Commission Vice Chair Krishna Chandra Devkota, Gandaki Province Assembly members- Govinda Nepali, Nanda Prasad Neupane, Kusum Budha Pun—Prof Dr Kapil Adhikari, Pokhara Metropolitan City Office spokesperson Moti Raj Timilsina, SOHF Nepal Chair DB Nepali and INSEC Pokhara Chief Shiva Khakurel committed to take urgent action to combat climate change in Gandaki region.
