- Thursday, 19 December 2024
Kathmandu, April 18: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said that underdeveloped and Himalayan nations like Nepal should be prioritized for access to compensation, biodiversity, and adaptation funds established to address the damages caused by climate change.
He also urged developed countries to uphold their commitments and work earnestly to protect the world from the effects of climate change, while calling on the global community to recognize and address the challenges faced by developing countries, such as Nepal, which face significant risks from climate change.
Speaking at the 12th ministerial meeting of the V-20 (a group of countries at risk due to the effects of climate change) in Washington, DC, USA on Wednesday, Minister Pun emphasized the need for global collective commitment to mitigate the risks associated with climate change, according to the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC.
Pun highlighted the plight of the poor and marginalized populations in Nepal who are suffering from the effects of climate change. He also drew attention to the alarming impact of climate change on Nepal’s environment, such as the rapid melting of snow in the Himalayas, decreased water flow in glaciers, and increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods.
Other problems like irregular rainfall patterns, floods, landslides, and droughts are intensifying.
Moreover, Minister Pun noted that natural disasters resulting from climate change threaten sustainable development efforts, human health, and livelihoods.
Pun stressed the importance of developed nations providing financial assistance for climate adaptation programs in third-world countries like Nepal, which face high risks despite contributing minimally to climate change.
Minister Pun’s visit to the United States also included participation in the joint spring meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.
The V-20 is a body advocating for reducing the risk of climate change and increasing financial support to manage the global economic transition resulting from climate change.
—
Sports, Literature, Music and Tourism Festival in Diktel
Khotang, April 18: The Khotang Halesi Sports, Literature, Music and Tourism Festival-2081 is being held at Diktel Bazaar from coming May 13.
Nepal Sports Academy Khotang is hosting the mega event with the goal of developing sports, promoting music and literature, and tourism in the district. The event is scheduled to be held from May 13 to 23.
The festival includes national karate competition, open half marathon, race among different age groups and literary and musical competition, said chair of the Academy, Sanjay Kumar Rai.
Cash prizes will be distributed to the winners of the various competitions to be held under the festival. Rai said that 11 teams from all the seven provinces will participate in the national karate competition.
President of Khotang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajan Prasad Acharya, said the festival to be held in Diktel Bazaar is estimated to lead to trade and transaction worth millions of rupees.
—
Storm likely in Lumbini and Sudur Paschim
Kathmandu, April 18: The weather today will be partially cloudy in some places and generally clear in remaining parts of the country. This is due to the influence of westerly winds coupled with local winds, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
At present, the weather is partially cloudy in Sudur Paschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces and clear in the remaining provinces. There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi province and some places in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. There is also a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country.
Later tonight, while the weather will remain clear in the country, with the possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning in one or two places in the hilly parts of Koshi and Gandaki regions. Furthermore, Lumbini and some places in the plains of Sudurpaschim Province are likely to experience storms, says the weather bulletin issued by the Department this morning.
—
Janaki Literary Award to be presented to Bhandari
Gulmi, April 18: The Janaki Literary Award for the year 2080 is to be given to writer Thakur Sharma Bhandari of Gulmi.
Born on Bhadau 25, 2010 BS in Johang Khaireni of Satyabati Rural Municipality of Gulmi, Bhandari is a popular critic, poet and essayist. He has 28 creations to his credit.
The award is presented by the Janaki Foundation, established in memory of literati and human rights worker Janaki Gyawali, a resident of Baletaksar in Rurukshetra rural municipality. After she passed away nine years ago at the age of 39, her husband Shankar Prasad Gautam established the foundation along with revolving fund of Rs 151,151 at Kiran Library Tamghas, Gulmi.
Prior to this, literati Surya Bahadur Sen, Bhagarithi Shrestha, Ram Prasad Pant, Narad Gautam and Rudra Gyawali were honoured with the award.
—
29th Wildlife Week: Budhirapti Cleaned up
Narayangadh (Chitwan), April 18: The Budhirapti river area at Sauraha in Ratnanagar was cleaned up on Wednesday, as part of the 29th Wildlife Week.
The initiative was carried out by the Baghmara Buffer Zone Community Forest Users’ Group. The river was cleaned from Chitrasari Bridge to Dungaghat.
Chitrasen Buffer Zone Community Forest Users group, Sauraha Lady Jaycees, Leo Club of Chitwan Sauraha, Mainaha Youth Club also provided a helping hand for cleaning up the river.
Under the wildlife week, a program is being organised to raise awareness about forest, wildlife and environment protection today, and tomorrow, the last day of the event, a discussion will be held on possibilities and challenges in forest, wildlife and biological diversity conservation, and honor those who have contributed to the protection and conservation of forest and environment.
A total of 26 organizations including local government, community forest users group, National Nature Conservation Fund, tourism related organizations of Sauraha are taking part the Wildlife Week.
—
‘Send children to community schools’
Gorkha, April 18: People who hold public positions at the local level of Gorkha will now have to send their children to community schools.
This will apply in five municipalities of the district, following a decision make by the municipal executives. Accordingly, the Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Gorkha Municipality, Dharche Rural Municipality and Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality have issued a notice directing all the public officials to send their children to public schools.
Mayor of Gorkha Municipality Krishna Bahadur Ranamgar said that all public officials including people’s representatives, employees, teachers, school management committee chair and members should send their children to public schools, while also working to improve the quality of education in the schools run by the government.
Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has decided to bring the decision into force starting this academic year.
Chair of Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, Lokprasad Banjara, expressed the belief that this decision will help to make education in community schools qualitative and competitive.
—
