FECOFUN's Blog

Nepal:Environmental-Refugee

Sandesh — Sun, 08 May 2011 07:15:06 +0000

Suresh Bhattarai

Environmentalist

Migration is a phenomenon of moving from one place to another. When the moving group is big then it is called mass migration. Migration can be permanent or temporary, between or within country, voluntary or at gun point, for lucrative opportunities or in search of basic need. Especially in the third world, degradation and depletion of the available natural resources, compels people to move out in search of survival. Thus such poverty and hunger driven nomadic third world inhabitants, having not much choice but to drift towards new places, are labeled as environmental refugees. Apart from the natural calamities there are numerous other reasons to migrate but whatever the reason be, it is increasing and increasing at the alarming rate. Unmanaged mass migration has put natural resources at stake, the AAAS (2000) summarizes “The world is on the move, and the environmental causes and consequences are profound”.

History of Migration

The human flow towards “potential” places started with the human civilization itself. The colonization by the European of America and Australia has transformed the ecology of three continents. Further, the shipment of 15 million African slaves toAmerica fundamentally changed the socio-ecology of those regions. The dusk of 20th century recorded unprecedented international migration, one estimation projects that 120 million people are either living or working outside their native land. Previous thoughts that migrants are destined to some rich nation need to be changed as studies have found that almost half of the cross-border migration takes places in developing world.

The political, ethnic, economic, military or environmental are key factors that trigger the migration both in past and present. A migration has proven as an escape route from local problems for poor, while for the rich it provides an opportunity to recruit insolvent labors. However, huge migration portends an imminent environmental catastrophe in the receiving area.

Environmental driven mass migration

10 million people fled drought and famine in the Sahel region of Africa in the 1970 and 1980, settling in wetter coastal region, including neighboring countries. At least half of them never returned home.

In Mauritania, environmental degradation has helped to force the proportion of the total population living in the coastal from 9 to 41 percent in 1968.

In the 1980s, land scarcity caused by a fast-rising population in Bangladesh led to conflict that drove 12 to 17 million Bangladeshi into neighboring Indian state of West Bengal and Assam.

Million fled Rwanda in the 1990s during ethnic conflict triggered in part at least by the countryâ€™s poverty, water scarcity and declining soil fertility, all steaming from its very high population density of 400 people per square kilometer.

Environmental Refugees:

The environmental refugee is defined as “those people who have been forced to leave their traditional habitat, temporarily or permanently, because of a marked environmental disruption (natural and/or triggered by people) that jeopardized their existence and/or seriously affected their quality of life (Hinnawi 1985:4). Elites argue if the environmental refugees should be granted the status of “refugees” because the concept of the environmental refugee is extremely difficult and further complicated by the biological and social implications. The biggest problem about these people is that neither government not the fighting parties keeps their records, which further hampers any effort towards their wellbeing. Together neither the environmental managers nor the migrants themselves know whether their stay in exile would be temporary and permanent. The environmental refugee has been categorized according to the severity they go under.

First Category: Comprises of those people temporary displaced by the environmental stress. I.e. earthquake, volcano, hurricane etc.

Second Category: Those people permanently displaced and resettled to another area because of human caused permanent environmental changes. I.e. Dams

Third Category: Those individual and group who can no longer be supported by their land because of environmental degradation. I.e. desertification, wind erosion.

Those three categories almost cover all the people except those forced to leave involuntary without having any environmental or economic problem. Thus Baker (2001) suggested a fourth category for those displaced because of policy implication affecting the environment i.e. national park.

An estimation study on people displaced by land shortage, deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, water deficits, extreme weather events and epidemics put the annual figure to be around 25 million. The same study (Climate Institutes, Washington) argues, should the current climate change and rise on sea levels continue, the migration exceeds 200 million annually by the year 2050. However, often it is very hard to delineate a boundary between environmental refugees and economic migrants as the environmental degradation leads to the economic hardship.

Environmental damage due to migration

Mass migration frequently causes heavy damage on the similar scale. The fleeing people arrives at new place virtually empty hand and immediately storms into the “free” un-patrolled natural resources. The temporary stay will develop a short-term attitude towards their new surrounding and their desperate measure exploits whatever available.

In the mid-1990s the Rwandan refugees, who escaped to neighboring Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) from domestic conflict, destroyed large areas on forest of their new host. Apart from these, even the state-sponsored migrants who find the allocated land insufficient for their living, plunders to the surrounding forest. The unfortunate example from Brazil andIndonesia, where the migrants caused illegal deforestation in Amazon and Kalimantan respectively, further solidifies the earlier claim that mass migrants are blight to the environment.

Migration disasters

During colonialism in the 19th century in Africa, many indigenous groups were asked to leave their native place. The Masai inKenya were displaced by the establishment of the Amboseli National Park, the Shanga in South Africa by Krueger National Park, and the Eek tribe from northeastern Uganda, by the establishment of Kidepo Valley National Park, who eventually starved to extinction (Armstrong 1991; Hitchcock 1995; Turnbull 1972). In other case the people were “compensated” with land with mountainous environment, where they have neither skill nor familiarity to survive (Turnbull 1972).

In the Botswana and Zimbabwe, the Tyua tribe was subsequently forced to move out to create Hwange Game Reserve, a hunting ground for elite few (Hitchcock 1995). Traditionally Tyua tribe used to practice hunting; they were displaced to south to practice agriculture. It proving hard for them to pick up this new means of survival and their attempt to repeat their ancestral profession has resulted in hundreds of death on the ground of illegal poaching.

In the case of the Eek of northern Uganda, the displacement of the foragers into the mountains resulted into the starvation and the eventual extinction of the race (Turnbull 1972). These people were deprived from basic human right as the government doesnâ€™t acknowledge them as full citizen of the country.

The Signing of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) resulted into conflict between Mexican Government and Zapatista National Liberation Army. Zapatista Subcomandante Marcos, the insurgent leader of the guerilla army, has termed NAFTA as the “death sentence” for poor Mexicans (Defense & Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Policy, March 31, 1995). The signing of the agreement dismantled the livelihood of thousands of Chiapans, who were expected to compete with US farmers. These poor Chiapans has no alternatives but to migrate inviting yet another environmental calamities.

South Asian and Nepalese context

In India alone, approximately 15 million people are negatively impacted by natural disasters each year (Gadgil, Madhav and Ramachandra Guha. 1995)

Indian government has been one of the major dam builders in the last four decades resulting into displacement of 20 to 50 million people (Judge 1997). Balimela Hydro Project and Upper Kolar Dam displaced 98 % and 96 % of the local inhabitants. Moreover, these people, generally hill or river inhabitants, were moved to plains, deserts or mountain-less desirable, less productive lands.

Bhakhra Dam, one of the first dam in India built in 1959, submerged the town of Bilaspur. The people were resettled in other villages, where they have since been considered a new ethnic community known as Bilaspuris (Judge 1997).

During the construction of the Pong Dam, the Rajasthan government had agreed to resettle 66% of the displaced peoples, while only 4% were ultimately resettled (Judge 1997).

Environmental epidemics also migrate with the people spreading disease in new places. On contrary, the refugees also falls victim to new surroundings as they find it hard to adjust. In one case, the drastic change into the surrounding proved ruthless for the refugees from Maharashtra, resettled in Parvetha Village. These problems escalated to the point that not a single baby survived beyond infancy in the second half of 1989 (Judge 1997).

One of the first and easy resources for the migrating people is forest. This causes severe soil erosion, gully formation ultimately resulting into abandonment of the land. One of the effects of deforestation is increase global temperature rising sea levels. Some predictions estimate the sea level may rise 30 to 110 centimeters by 2100 (Suhrke 1994; Douglas 1996). It has raised serious concern among the coastal inhabitants of China, Bangladesh, and Egypt, islands in the South Pacific and theMaldives, and urban populations in Karachi, Pakistan, and Dhaka, Bangladesh (Suhrke 1994; Douglas 1996).

Immediately after the restoration of democracy we have received a bonus as “Bhutanese refugee” thanks to the courtesy ofIndia. Hundred of these people, driven out by callous Bhutanese regime, arrived Nepal empty handed. Nepal, having lots of problem of its own, canâ€™t provide much help to them expect place to live. These ungrateful refugees are exploiting whatever comes to their way for decades now. If that was not enough current ongoing Maoist movement has forced people to leave village, people has start flocking in the district headquarter. They donâ€™t have money to afford living so would depend on the nature and its product heavily. Such natural wound would take decades to heal.

Conclusion

As our surroundings getting erratic, abuse of the resources aided by civil unrest people around the world are losing their home, land and means of subsistence. We should formulate a plan to address the key factor that would lead to the migration. We should have both short and long term plan. While implementing some temporary measures we can bargain time to implementing long term mitigating measures.

The Himalayan Times : Worst deforestation in three decades! – Detail News : Nepal News Portal

Sandesh — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 05:39:43 +0000

The Himalayan Times : Worst deforestation in three decades! – Detail News : Nepal News Portal.

Worst deforestation in three decades!

Added At: 2010-09-27 11:55 PM

Last Updated At: 2010-09-28 12:14 AM

Ramesh Prasad Bhushal

KATHMANDU: Money does grow on trees…That’s what a House committee report has surmised after conducting a field study on deforestation and rampant corruption in the forest sector. The parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means report claims that last year country saw the worst deforestation in 30 years.

The committee today endorsed a detailed study report on deforestation in last one year — comparing the depletion of forests in the lower plains and Churia range to that in 1979, widely believed to be the worst year in terms of deforestation — and forwarded it to the parliament for deliberations.

“I felt like crying after reading the report prepared by the committee. I strongly urge the authorities concerned to bring the wrong-doers to book,” said Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang.

The report prepared by seven sub-committees under the parliamentary committee after visiting 27 districts — Jhapa in the east to Kanchanpur in the west — claimed that deforestation, especially in the Tarai region, was at its worst. The report in its introductory part states ‘tree felling in 1979 during the Panchayat regime was rampant. Last year gave the glimpses of the same’.

“It took us three months to prepare the report and the corruption in the forestry sector has been found to be at its peak. It needs immediate addressing,” said Chairperson of the Committee, Shanta Chaudhary.

The report has concluded that the forests in the country were still in the grip of a few feudals, and bureaucrats were playing the role of a mediator and were highly engaged in irregularities.

The 51-page report has accused the government of turning a deaf ear to such a huge issue. Blaming all — political parties, government officials, community forest users — for turning the green forests into barren land, the report said no one should be spared.

It quotes Morang District Forest Officer Lal Narayan Singh: “The forest minister and director general of Department of Forests had sought money from me for my transfer, and in addition, officials at the Ministry of General Administration too wanted me to grease their palm to get consent for my transfer.”

The report terms government employee unions the catalyst for rampant corruption in the forest sector, adding that the leaders of the union are misusing their authority. They opt to stay in the most lucrative areas, mostly in the Tarai, where tree felling is high, added the report. “The union leaders are hardly working to protect employees’ rights; their ultimate aim is to benefit themselves and their near and dear ones,” mentions the report.

The report recommends that the government should bring about a radical change in the organisational structure of the Ministry of Forest, if it were to save at least 40 per cent of the total land covered with forests.

Press Statement October 4, 2010

Sandesh — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:07:29 +0000

Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal

(FECOFUN)

Press Statement

4th October 2010

To diminish the rights of Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGS), the ad hoc government is in the process of amendment the Forest Act 1993 without any consultation with stakeholders. In this regards, Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), an umbrella organization of 15,000 Community Forestry User Groups around Nepal, advocating for the rights of user has been protesting against the proposed amendment since August 18th 2010.

In this process on October 3rd 2010, the peaceful demonstration was held in Kathmandu in the leadership of Chairperson Apsra Chapagain. All of the sudden Government/Nepal mobilized security forces and crushed the peaceful demonstration, around 200 people including Chairperson Apsara Chapagain and all National Executive Members /Forest Users detained for eight hours. Some activists are seriously injured. We strongly condemn on this action of government. And also wish to recover all injured personals during crushed of security forces on peaceful demonstration.

The government violated the right of peaceful protest that has been guaranteed by Interim – constitution of Nepal. The action of the Government /Nepal has clearly shown the fatal intension of Department of Forest to retain the power and rights of forest users. To protect the rights of users and end titanic domination of Department of Forest over natural resource (forest), the FECOFUN highly demands to stop the process of amendment of the Forest Act 1993. We also request to all national and international stakeholders, forest activists, and civil society organizations to support and express solidarity on peaceful movement of FECOFUN forest user groups over the community forests.

The FECOFUN has announced further activities of campaigns and movements against the autocratic behaviors of Nepali Government to protect the rights of the community over forest resources. The announced activities of campaigns and movements are as follows:

Interaction meetings with civil society organizations/ INGOs and donor communities
Delegation to political parties, constituents members
Press meets
District Level demonstrations ( at 75 districts- districts chapters of FECOFUN are free to plan additional activities as per their need and situation)
Encircle the parliament building
Boycott all the programmes and activities of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation

Forest Activists taken into custody for peaceful protests

Sandesh — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 08:53:11 +0000

In an effort to protest against the government act of curtailing the local communities rights, Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) has been applying various advocacy approaches like dialogues and peace marches. In a similar event today, police arrested more than 70 forest activists including the chairperson Ms. Apsara Chapagain.

The July 16 decision of the cabinet has it that community forests, which had been giving away 15 percent of their income to the state, will now have to part with half their income. Citing rampant deforestation, the decision has stipulated active participation of forest officials in community forests activities.

The greenery of forest however has been restored due to users’ active management and conservation, so FECOFUN believes that such intervention by forest officials would not benefit the community forest users group.

FECOFUN Opposes the Forest Act amendment

Sandesh — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:40:38 +0000

मिति २०६७।६।१०

प्रेश विज्ञप्ती

सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघ नेपालले वन ऐन २०४९ संशोधन विरुद्ध मिति २०६७ आश्विन १० गते ७५ वटै जिल्ला वन कार्यालयमा तालावन्दी गर्ने शान्तीपूर्ण आन्दोलन सम्पन्न गरेको छ । यस क्रममा शान्तीपूर्ण आन्दोलनमा उत्रेका स्थानीय उपभोक्ता माथि विभिन्न जिल्लामा प्रहरी प्रशासनबाट ठाडो हस्तक्षेप भएको छ ।

वर्तमान काम चलाउ सरकार स्थानीय समुदाय र वन अधिकारलाई कसरी कुण्ठीत गर्न सकिन्छ भनी उद्धत छ । यसैको परिणाम स्वरुप वन ऐन २०४९ संशोधन गरी सामुदायिक वनको अधिकार कटौती गर्ने जुन दुश्साहस गर्‍यो, त्यसको विरुद्धमा सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघ नेपालले दोश्रो चरणको आन्दोलन अन्र्तगत आज देशभरीका ७५ वटै जिल्ला वन कार्यालयमा तालाबन्दी गरेको छ । यस आन्दोलनको कार्यक्रममा शान्तीपूर्ण ढंगले जुटेका उपभोक्ताहरुलाई पंचायती शैलीमा उदयपुर, रुपन्देही, प्यूठान, सिरहा, म्याग्दी तथा सुर्खेत लगायतका जिल्लाहरुमा सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ताहरु माथि प्रहरी प्रशासनबाट जुन ज्यादती भएको छ । सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघ नेपाल यस्तो कार्य प्रति घोर भत्सर्ना गर्दछौं ।

यसैक्रममा रुपन्देही जिल्लाका अध्यक्ष डिल्ली भण्डारी सहित सामुदायिक वनका उपभोक्तालाई पक्राउ गरिएकोमा तत्काल रिहाई गर्न जोडदार माग गर्दछौं । यदि यस प्रकारको हस्तक्षेप निरन्तर भएको खण्डमा अझ कडा आन्दोलनको घोषणा गर्न बाध्य हुने जानकारी नेपाल सरकारलाई गराउादै यस बिषयप्रति नेपाल सरकारलाई गम्भीर ध्यानाकर्षण गराउन चाहान्छौं । वन कार्यालय तालावन्दीका क्रममा उदयपुर जिल्लामा घाइते हुनु भएको नारायण बुर्जामगर, टेक बहादुर पौडल, एकराज बस्नेत, भक्त बहादुर राई लगायतका व्यक्तिहरु घाइते हुनु भएको छ । वहााहरुको शिघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभको कामना गर्दै घाइतेहरुको उपचार सरकारबाट गरियोस् भनि जोडदार माग गर्दछौं ।

शान्तीपूर्ण आन्दोलन माथि जुन रुपले दमन गर्ने प्रयास् गर्‍यो, त्यसको सशक्त रुपमा प्रतिकार गर्ने कुरामा महासंघ दृढ रहेको कुरा समेत सम्बन्धीत पक्षलाई जानकारी गराउादछौं । यसबाट पर्न जाने सम्पूर्ण नकारात्मक असरको भागिदार स्वयम नेपाल सरकार हुनेछ ।

अन्तमा, यस जिल्ला वन कार्यालयमा तालाबन्दी गर्ने कार्यक्रममा सहयोग गर्ने पत्रकार, नागरिक समाज, राजनैतिक दलहरु, पेशागत संघसंस्थाहरुलाई सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघ नेपाल आभार व्यक्त गर्दै आगामी दिनमा यदि वन ऐन २०४९ शंसोधनको प्रकृयालाई फिर्ता गरी स्थानीय अधिकारलाई सुनश्चित गरिएन भने तेश्रो चरणको सशक्त आन्दोलनको घोषणा गरिनेछ । यस आन्दोलनलाई पुन: सहयोग गरी प्राकृतिक श्रोतमा स्थानीय समुदायको हक अधिकार स्थापीत गर्नमा यहााहरुको सहयोगको अपेक्षा समेत गर्दछौं ।

(गणेश बहादुर कार्की)

महासचिव

FECOFUN opposes declaration of Banke National Park

Sandesh — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:28:49 +0000

News extracted from Kantipur Daily (National Newspaper) dated July 15, 2010.

(source: http://epaper.ekantipur.com/showtext.aspx?boxid=12402878&parentid=7852&issuedate=1572010)

Fourth General Assembly scheduled for June 8-10, 2010

Sandesh — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:10:12 +0000

Community forestry program was formulated with a twin goal of conserving the forests and securing the livelihood of the rural people. Under this program, there are more than 15,000 community forest user groups which are actively involved in conserving and managing the forests and securing the livelihood through utilization of the forest products. FECOFUN is an umbrella organization of these user groups that advocates for securing the rights of community towards access and benefit sharing of natural resources. By now FECOFUN has successfully convened three general assemblies since its establishment on June 1, 1995. FECOFUN is now preparing for fourth general assembly which is planned to be conducted from June 8-10, 2010 in Kathmandu, Nepal. In this general assembly, there will be participation of about 600 community forest representatives from various parts within the country who would actively involve in discussions and plan for new strategies for advancement of the organization during the three-day event. More specifically, this general assembly will elect new executive committee that would govern FECOFUN as an organization for the next four years. From past experience, every general assembly has produced a new breed of leaders that has definitive set of vision which has furthered the organization to new heights. For the leaders to be elected from this assembly, the major challenge would be to sustain the attained growth and development that the organization has seen by now. The tasks are cumbersome and responsibilities are high.

Individual Action – Tiny Steps for Better Tomorrow (World Environment Day 2010)

Sandesh — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:20:46 +0000

I have grown up listening to the phrase “change begins from an individual, change begins from you”. It went way over my head for I was a child then, continued listening same dialogue through the teens and till the young adulthood. I never understood what it meant. I threw trashes on street, spat anywhere I liked because nobody felt any obligation to maintain clean surrounding. I followed many things that were detrimental to environment. I continued doing it, the main reason for which was that everybody was doing it. I just followed the crowd as a sheep without realizing the impact of my actions. Then one day, I realized the wonderful rippling effects of the individual effort during a course in web development. I realized this power of individualization and the meaning of “change begins from you” during this training. Web designing was all about individualization. You had to think of an individual reaction, think through individual perspective. All sort of things pertaining to an individual mind had to be taken care of while designing and developing a website. This was a terrific lesson for me because it instilled in me the value of individualization and viewing the world through individual actions in the today’s world of uncertainty.

I have been working in the development sector for some time now. I have seen many individuals do wonders and the notable thing about them was they were alone when they started it. John Wood after a brief visit to an underdeveloped country realized the poverty of education in the remote places which inspired him to establish a non-profit organization by the name Room To Read. He published a book called “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World” which was quoted as “an infectiously inspiring read … the kind of book that business colleagues will discuss with their acquaintances, spouses and friends.” By Publisher’s Weekly. Similarly, the social figure Mother Teresa and the political figure Mahatma Gandhi did bring about change in how people view society and the world. These activities started as an individual action. They have one thing in common, that is their efforts were not started as a group but as an individual. The power of individual action has been so immense and so powerful that the only solution for climate change is the little efforts contributed through individual action. I have some inspiring friends in Nepal who conduct cycle rallies at least once a month to promote use of clean vehicles. I have a friend in Pakistan who has done marvels in citizen journalism. A friend in India is promoting use of open source software by conducting seminars and conferences. The success of these young individuals cannot be measured in terms of monetary value but the huge audiences they have, reflect of an individual action which has made tremendous impact in the lives of many.

Global warming is inevitable. Climate change is visible now. These things cannot be controlled but some difference can definitely be made by individual actions taking a little step forward towards preserving the environment. Promote clean energy usage, calculate your daily carbon footprint on the Internet. Walk on foot or ride cycle wherever and whenever possible. Spread the word. Send e-mails. Scare people (if you have to) by saying “Send this to 10 people or you will have bad luck for rest of your life” to spread the word. Engage in environmental preservation and conservation. Support those who are conserving and managing forests. As one of the social networking site that connects individuals to global issues says be inspired, be informed and get involved.

Visit UNEP for more information.

“ Inclusion and Good Governance Campaign in Community forestry Recognizing the Rights of Local Communities over Natural Resources in the New Constitution”

Sandesh — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:56:26 +0000

Forest Caravan 2010
(Day 2, Update)

Press Release

Forest Caravan 2010, executed by Federation of Community Forestry Users’ Nepal (FECOFUN) acknowledging four year completion of Jana Andolan II with the slogan “Inclusion and Good Governance Campaign in Community Forestry, Recognizing the Rights of Local Communities over Natural Resources in the New Constitution” is running in its second day with the celebration in various districts conducting different nature of the program.

The Caravan team which started from Sindhuli on the first day reached to Bardibas, Mahottari and accomplished its Regional Mass Assembly in its second day of the program. This Particular Mass Assembly was cherished by Chitra Lekha Yadav, Central Member of Nepali Congress as a Chief Guest of the program. Where other renowned leader Devi Khadka (CA Member, UCPN Maoist ) Prakash Juala (UML, Member) Dilli Ghimire & Bharati Pathak (Steering committee member & Treasurer, FECOFUN) appear and shows their participation as a chief speaker.

Chief Guest Yadav delivers his speech highlighting the role of Forest Caravan as executed by FECOFUN in ensuring timely constitution and securing the communities rights over natural resources. He added stressing his full support for the program and also request people to follow the same direction. The entire speakers from the regional mass assembly shows their kind commendation for the step taken by community users in securing forests rights and also opine their request for all the political leaders of a country to end the disagreement and unite together for building the constitution on time. Respected assembly was held in the chairmanship of Binod Sharma, Chairperson, District FECOFUN Mahottari.

Forest Caravan which gets started from 10 different districts at the same time on April 04, 2010 (Chaitra 22, 2066) has halted in different station for the day. Caravan which was started from Taplejung on April 05, 2010 moved to various areas making a small gathering, which reached to fidim and accomplished a district level interaction program. Likewise, the caravan from Ramechhap reached to Dolakha where they conducted different program demonstrating the strong opposition for the declaration of Gaurisankhar conservation area. The caravan team of Khotang make a small gathering in Okhaldunga and halt there for a day. In the same way, Caravan started from Gulmi, today reached to Tansen, Palpa where Inclusion, Good governance and Pro-poor program was organized in different community forestry users group in presence of thousands of community people. The Caravan team of Mustang was welcomed by Myagdi people and held an interaction program regarding the internal governance in CFUG where the night stay of this team will be in Baglung. Likewise, the other caravan team from Rukum, Bajura, Darchula and Jumla make a discussion and interaction with different community forestry users’ group on the way and has made their visit to Salyan, Achham, Baitadi and Kalikot respectively. For tomorrow, the Caravan Team will stay in Illam, Okhaldunga, Sindhupalchok, Baglung, Argakhanci, Dang, Dailekh, Achham and Baitadi.

“Campaign for Inclusion and Good Governance in Community Forestry, Rights of Local Communities over Natural Resource and their Recognition in the New Constitution”

Sandesh — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:50:37 +0000

Day 1 Update (4 April 2010)

Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) has started Forest Caravan-2010 nationwide with the slogan “Campaign for Inclusion and Good Governance in Community Forestry, Rights of Local Communities over Natural Resource and their Recognition in the New Constitution” from 10 different districts at same time on 4th April 2010 (22nd Chaitra 2066) where thousands of people were participated. Ghanashyam Pandey, Chairperson of FECOFUN in Taplejung, Secretary Ganesh Karki in Khotang, Treasurer Bharati Pathak in Sindhuli, Secretariat Member Indrawati Muktan in Ramechhap, Central Committee Member
Ram Bahadur K.C. in Mustang, inaugurated the program. Similarly, General Secretary Bhola Bhattarai in Gulmi, Central Committee Members Bhim Prakash Khadka and Padma Chaudary in Rukum, Central Committee Member Santa Bahadur Karki in Darchula, Central Committee Member Sonam Chhiring Lama in Jumla, and Secretariat Member Dev Bahadur Kuwar in Bajura inaugurated the program The participation of the mass was represented by district level political leaders, CA members, forest activists /campaigners, civil society leaders, government officials, CFUG members, community people, poor and marginalize groups of peoples, indigenous peoples. Most of the speakers of the inauguration program have emphasized on people’s rights over natural resource and recognition of community in New Constitution. The mass rally has marched surroundings of district head quarters with different banners and play cards with message of local people’s rights over natural resources and their recognition in the new constitution. Local communities also demonstrated their own classical cultural recognition (Jhankee) and playing the classical musical instrument (Panche Baza). All the speakers have focused their speech on New Constitution that must be written within the stipulated time, local sovereign community for natural resources, and recognition of local communities in federal structure of the country.

The Regional Mass Gathering, as a major event of the Forest Caravan-2010 is also planned and prepared well. The regional mass assembly will be organized in seven different major cities of the country. The first regional assembly will on 5 April (23 Chaitra) at Bardibash of Mahottari and other will be on 7 April (25 Chaitra) at Biratnagar of Morung and Pokhara of Kaski, 10 April (28 Chaitra) at Buddha Stadium of Kapilbastu and Gulariya of Bardiya, and 11 April (29 Chaitra) at Hetauda of Makawanpur and Dhangadi of Kailali. The regional assembly will be addressed as Chief Guest by President of UCPN (Maoist) Puspa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) in Hetauda, senior leader of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba in Dhangadi, President of CPN (UML) Jhalanath Khanal in Biratnagar, Chitra Lekha Yadav, Central Committee Member of Nepali Congress in Mahotari, , Kamala Panta, Central Committee Member of Nepali Congress in Pokhara, Polit-Beauro Member of UNCP (Maoist) Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, in Kapilbastu and Bamdev Gautam, Vice Chairperson of NCP (UML) in Bardiya will address the program.

The Forest Caravan-2010 will be ended on 13 April (31 Chaitra) in Kula Mach in Kathmandu with the mass rally and wider public participation. In this program, there will be the participation of most senior leaders of all the major political parties, celebrities, artists, literary figures, civil society leaders and so on. About one million people are estimated to participate the closing ceremony of the Caravan.