The Nepal Weekly 
October 22, 2024
A two-day workshop on preparation of COP-29 and impact of climate change in Karnali Province has been conducted recently at Rara Lake, Karnali Province.
The workshop titled ‘Bridging Karnali and the Globe: Roadmap to COP-29’ was jointly organized by the Ministry of Forest and Environment and an NGO named Saathsaathai.
Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, mentioned that despite having a negligible role on emission of greenhouse gases, Nepal is bearing the brunt of climate change impact. Therefore, Nepal deserves climate justice. The government has raised this voice in the international forums, he added.
He informed that the government is making homework for the claim of compensation from the Climate Fund for the loss and damages Nepal has incurred owing to climate change with its demand at UN climate conference.
The plights and problems from the Karnali region would be presented seriously in the coming COP-29, he said.
On the occasion, chairperson of Saathsaathai Prajita Karki expressed concern over the depleting snow on Nepal’s peaks including the Chhayanath mountain due to climate change impact. The plights here must be reflected in the global forum, she added.
The event was participated in by various personalities from diverse sectors including climate change expert Manjeet Dhakal, advisor to Ministry Dr. Madhav Karki, chairman of the Press Council Nepal Bal Krishna Basnet, Helambu Rural Municipality chairman Nima Gyaljen Sherpa.
The event was concluded with issuing a 5 point declaration. The declaration mentions that Karnali Province was worst hit by the climate change and it needed capacity strengthening to cope with the crises. All tiers of government need to work together to launch climate friendly activities and manage the disasters caused by the climate change.
The declaration emphasis capacity building to tackle climate change effects, efforts to access to climate funds for climate actions, prioritise climate friendly activities, all three tier governments of the country to be attentive on risks generated by climate change effects and risk management, and women, children and marginalized youths were hit hard by the climate change, so their voices must be raised in the national and international forums with special focus.
