Sagarmatha Call!

The international conference on climate called Sagarmatha Sambad held in Kathmandu recently has rightly emphasized action for protecting mountain ecology. Mountains, the participants of the SS 2025 believed, play key role in maintaining balance in nature throughout the world; so they should be maintained safely and action should now be taken for avoiding all adverse effects of pollution on them. Healthy mountains free from pollution could guarantee global climate balance and offer perennial source of water for billions of people. Prime Minister Oli inaugurating the SS the other day reminded all concerned that they should now act for minimizing pollution and contributing to the cause of mountains in a positive manner. PM Oli elaborately spoke of the link between oceans and mountains as he shed light on the urgency for action in the complex of mountain- protection-sector. The SS, as discussants agreed, served as an inspiring forum for highlighting the natural way mountains keep up life-supporting systems such as water and biodiversity. Mountains are actually not only geographical features but holy spaces treasuring cultural repositories and diverse flora and fauna. The SS has placed mountains and their ecology in the priority list of those who talk climate change globally and work out schemes for climate aid in contemporary times. All in the meanwhile should emphasize that each step in climate solution should be taken with high regard for justice, accountability and solidarity. If this is not done, the problem that knows no national boundaries will trouble the vulnerable and the deprived countries most. The developed nations with huge capital, expertise and wealth at their disposal should come forward for lowering the pollution they create; and contributing to climate aid that helps countries who do not create pollution but are subject to adverse impact of climate change. A carefully worked out strategy for using finance, technology and capacity building for making mountainous regions free from the effect of pollution is what is mostly needed today. The 25-point-Declaration of the Sagarmatha Sambad should now constitute the highway-directive for future climate action in the arena of mountains. It would play instrumental role in creating path to minimize wild fire, and check melting of glaciers and snow in high mountains. Equally important is the determination to have provision for climate fund for green growth and climate resilience. The same could place the voice of Nepal Sagarmatha Sambad in important spots of climate talk like those of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.