The News Quarter

A national workshop on Nepal's Preparation for World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Kathmandu on 20 November 2001, where the progress was shared and ideas gained from various sectors. Participants expressed their concerns and views on the presentation made by the Ministry of Population and Environment (MOPE) with an expectation of a substantive report as a reflection of Nepal's commitment to the Earth Summit.

At the concluding session, Hon'ble Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, Member of National Planning Commission, said that the sustainable development stands on the human, their desire to development and environment. He shared the efforts made by the government to involve each and every sector in national development planning process. Earlier, while opening the workshop, Hon'ble Hari Shankar Tripathi, Member of National Planning Commission, had reiterated the contribution of outcomes of such consultative meetings and dialogues to prepare a comprehensive report. The opening session was presided over by Dr. Mukti Narayan Shrestha, Secretary to the MOPE.

Mr. Janak Raj Joshi, Joint Secretary to MOPE and focal person to the WSSD in Nepal, had shared the actions taken in course of compiling the country report. Participants divided into four working groups widely discussed on different four topics on the presentation of Dr. Minendra Prasad Rijal, Team Leader of SDAN and presented the findings in plenary session. Dr. Rijal had presented the framework of SDAN document for further improvements.

The workshop was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Population and Environment and National Planning Commission in collaboration with UNDP/Capacity 21, World Wildlife Fund and Earth Council. Another preparatory workshop on WSSD was also convened in Pokhara on 29 December 2001 to share the progress with various national and international stakeholders. Mr. Janak Raj Joshi, Joint Secretary to MOPE shared the progress in preparing the country report. Likewise, Dr. Minendra Rijal, the Team Leader of SDAN, underlined the concept and content of SDAN document that was under preparation. Distinguished participants suggested the team to prepare a comprehensive report to share at Johannesburg Summit.

Prior to these regional workshops, a consultative meeting to review Nepal's preparation for SDAN/WSSD had been convened on 12 November in Kathmandu. Addressing the meeting, Alessandra Tisot, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP hoped that the meeting would help redefine Nepal's vision on sustainable development and follow-up activities to pursue sustainable development at all levels and sectors.

"The joint SDAN/WSSD preparatory process can act as both a catalyst and an umbrella to reorient existing policies, plans and resource allocation towards the overall goals of improving economic efficiency, social justice and environmental sustainability simultaneously" Ms. Tisot said, "The SDAN will strive towards reversing the current trend of depleting natural resources and declining standards of environment, in support to the Millenium Development Goals."

Mr. Hari Shankar Tripathi and Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, both the Hon'ble members of National Planning Commission, highlighted the efforts made by His Majesty's Government in promoting sustainable development in Nepal through launching SCDP and involving all sectors in policy dialogues. Dr. Surendra Shrestha, of United Nations Environment Programme, WSSD Asia-Pacific Regional task force member shared the environmental issues in the Region and attempts made by the governments and the Programme.

Regional level workshops in all five Development Regions of the Kingdom are also planned to gather more information on sustainable development policies and practices to consider the local realities.

All UNDP assisted programmes working in Okhaldhunga organised a briefing on 12 November during the visit of Hon'ble Prakash Man Singh, former Minister and Mr. Homnath Dahal, member of Parliament. The district programme coordinators shared programme objectives, achievements and major issues with the lawmakers. District Development Committee chairperson, Local Development Officer and the programme staff were present on the occasion.

To effectively mobilise the credit capital and to support the most needy households of the programme area, SCDP Myagdi carried out a poverty mapping and analysis under the guidelines of National Planning Commission. The result shows that 996 families were found ultra-poor on the basis of food sufficiency while 411 families were found well off out of the total 2105 families of the programme VDCs. Based upon the per capita income, 1020 families rank below the poverty line. This analysis will help the programme to justifiably channelise the resources for poverty reduction.

As intended by the SCDP, Support Organisations partners NGOs facilitate the CBOs to prepare work plans and incorporate them in development plans of District Development Committee and Village Development Committee. For the year 2002, CBOs of Lekhfarsa- 6, 8 and 9 (namely Shivalaya, Sunaulo Vihani, Uttar Hariyali, Namuna Pragatishil and Shiva Shakti) have prepared their development plans. These work plans will help generate resources for the CBO initiated projects, submit to the local governments and encourage other CBOs in preparing such work plans. CBOs' work plans have also been submitted to the DDC in Myagdi.

Sustainable Development Programmes (SDP) of Humla and Myagdi provided technical and financial support to the DDCs in preparing periodic plans and helped incorporate natural resource management. SDP Humla contributed Rs.100000 for the workshop to envisage six years plan. Humla District Development Committee has completed a ten days long exercise for preparing its periodic plan in November 2001. The exercise was facilitated by Human Resources Development Center (HURDEC) and supported by SCDP, Netherlands Development Assistance (SNV) supported District Partnership Programme and the UNICEF.

"Himachuli" has been the first wall newspaper published by children journalist from Eco Club members of different Eco Schools in Humla. The Eco Club members had received a training on Eco Club management and Journalism. In the concluding part, eight children produced the wall newspaper, which was released by Mr. Brikha Bahadur Mahat, Vice Chairperson of District Development Committee. Chief District Officer (CDO) Mr. Gyan Prasad Sharma Pageni urged the need to develop Humla with common efforts. The CDO distributed certificates to the participants during the ocassion.

Eight Eco Club members from Mandhara Lower Secondary School of Kharpunath, Humla Lower Secondary School of Raya, Man Sarovar Higher Secondary School and Baal Mandir Primary School of Simikot and Ramdev Primary School of Thehe were the participants of the training.

Eco Clubs are active in SCDP implemented districts creating awareness among the younger generation and their communities through various environmental management activities. Sustainable Development Programme Humla has supported the Clubs by providing formatted zinc sheets to post the articles written by the students. "The wall newspapers contain environment related articles, poems, rhymes, short stories, editorial and news on Eco Club activities" says Bishnu Pokharel, Sustainable Development Coordinator of Humla, "the young generation will be more conscious to their future"

Conservation Stoves
SCDP thus has focussed on ICS in the Programme area that has also contributed improve watershed conditions. During this quarter, 41 improved cook stoves have been installed in Dang, 40 in Humla, 24 in Surkhet and 30 in Myagdi. Improved Cooking Stove (ICS) save up to 50 per cent of total energy used for cooking leading kitchen into smokeless healthier environment . It is also convenient for the women and safer for children while the traditional one had chances to severe burns. It reduces both the time spent for collection and purchase of fuel-wood and makes easy for cleaning cooking utensils. The households having ICS experience less fuel wood requirements and reduce burden to purchasing soap or cleaning powder.

Lighting the Darkness
Two community-initiated micro-hydro projects in Dichyam have been completed with SCDP support. A peltic set power plant generates 1000 watts while another generates 1500 watts. "The 56 benefited households are in pleasant mood. Some of them have used the light, switch and wires for the first time in their life" says Ashok Baniya, Sustainable Development Coordinator of Myagdi, " The housewives cook their meal under the pleasant light and children study without inhaling smoke from kerosene lamp. The CBOs are waiting for a time convenient to the high level authorities to formally switch on."

Three CBOs initiated the projects to light their settlements. SCDP provided 43 per cent of seed grant and 37 per cent credit capital to encourage the communities for alternative energy promotion. The CBOs provided 20 percent of cost in cash. 57 per cent of total cost including credit capital has been borne by the CBOs.

SDP Humla has also decided to support the CBO projects to install micro hydro plants. Initial survey report and pre-feasibility survey reports have been submitted to Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) for Raya. One peltric set scheme is under construction in Durpa settlement of Kharpunath VDC, which will benefit 38 households. The CBO members will replace traditional source of light (burning wood locally known as Diyalo). The CBOs collected Rs. 130,000 in cash to share the cost as community participation. This practice will help bringing a significant change in the eye-health of housewives and children. Pressure on nearby forest will be reduced. After generating power, the landscape will be quite different with added beauty.

Another micro-hydro plant installation programme in Muchu VDC is in progress with the joint efforts of DDC and SCDP. SCDP has planned to provide Rs. 150,000 while the Remote Area Development Programme under the DDC has provided over 1.6 million Rupees.

Supporting Community-managed Trek Route
For eco-tourism promotion in Humla, SCDP has initiated fixing quality information hoarding boards aside the only air stall at Simikot and other places at the route to Manasarovar. Eco Hotels in six different settlements are financially supported while SCDP has planned to train the potential CBO members on eco-tourism, tourist guide and hotel management. Few community buildings are also planned to construct for hotel, lodge, restaurants and bars in Yari settlement of Muchu for which SCDP has agreed to contribute less than Rs. 50 thousands for cost sharing with the CBOs.

Springs Protection
As the water sources are found vulnerable in all the programme areas, SCDP Humla has recorded the springs to help the communities for its protection and sustainable use. Altogether 263 springs were found in four VDCs and SCDP encourages the communities for their protection. There are 40 springs in Thehe, 62 in Kharpu, 106 in Raya and 55 in Muchu.

Generating Awareness about Sustainable Development
The only trained street theatre of Humla, Karnali Natya Samuha, performed a street drama in Thehe and Raya VDCs. Hosted by SCDP, the show covered the importance of community organisations, community fund, health and sanitation and environmental issues to educate the local residents. Two CBOs of Kharpunath organised a cultural show on the occasion of Gaura Parva, the most popular festival of Western part of Nepal, helped the programme to educate the villagers in SCDP approach to sustainable development. SCDP Humla has provided some musical instruments to the CBOs who have planned cultural programmes for awareness generation. An inter-school essay competition entitled "Inter-relationship between Human Being and Environment" was organised in Thulachhap VDC of Okhaldhunga.

SCDP Humla has supported the CBOs in construction of a drinking water scheme in Muchu VDC by providing cement, pipes and fittings while CBOs arranged for transporting materials from Simikot to the site. The CBOs also arranged for unskilled labor contribution. The scheme will benefit 23 households of the settlement and a government site office staff. The scheme includes four water taps, which will primarily help Eco Hotel and the trekkers with the aim to improving health through promoting vegetable cultivation and providing uncontaminated drinking water.

Another drinking water scheme completed in Karanga of Raya VDC-1 has been rehabilitated which will benefit 119 persons of 24 households. This scheme was supported by the SCDP to cover wages for skilled labor and material while CBO made a contribution equivalent to Rs. 17000.

SCDP Okhaldhunga reports completion of seven drinking water schemes in Rumjatar-3, 4, Bhadaure-5, Ubu-1, 5 and 8 and Betinin-5. The SCDP contributed over Rs. 113000 while the CBOs contributed over Rs. 244000 and DDC and COPE added over Rs. 113500 for the schemes. All these schemes benefit 196 households.

Improving Nutrition
SCDP is promoting maize seed production with the support of District Agriculture Office (DAO) through three lead farmers of Raya and Kharpunath VDCs. of Humla The seeds will be purchased and distributed by the Programme to other farmers if found the germination at satisfactory level and of a quality. Being one of the worst food scarcity districts, Humla is suffered of starvation and malnutrition leading towards poorest human development status. After successful maize seed production and distribution, it is hoped that the nutritional status will be improved.

CBOs Take Charge of Adult Literacy
SCDP has always made efforts for better coordination and linkage with line agencies to mobilise the resources for effective implementation of development projects. As an example, SDF surkhet made arrangements with District Education Office (DEO) to implement 47 non-formal education classes in 9 SCDP Programme VDCs through CBOs. Financial assistance is provided by the DEO for the six months course which will benefit 1175 adults.

Notable process are the selection of facilitators by the CBOs themselves and training by DEO. NFE implementing VDCs are Lagam, Betan, Vidyapur, Tatopani, Bijaura, Ghatgaun, Babiyachaur of the west part and Lekhfarsa and Gumi in the east. The line agencies have identified CBOs as reliable development partners who not only efficiently work but also complete the projects in a cost effective manner.

Learning from the Field Experiences
An annual learning workshop of SCDP and GEF/SCDP held in Pokhara concluded sharing achievements and constraints of the Programme during the three quarters of 2001. Starting from October 12, the four day long workshop was concentrated to discuss on best practices, lessons learned during programme implementation, opportunities, threats and the exit strategies.

Hon'ble Hari Shankar Tripathi, member of the National Planning Commission and the Chairperson of the SCDP Executive Committee, inaugurated the workshop. Mr. Gyan Prasad Sharma, National Programme Director and Mr. Hum Bahadur Gurung, National Programme Manager, Mr Gopal Sherchan, GEF -SGP National Co-ordinator and other programme staff from the districts actively participated in the workshop.

Micro-enterprise Focused Training
To build the capacities of local institutions and the staff, various training programmes were organised by UNDP, SCDP and Support Organisations(SOs). Despite the current security problems in the rural areas, most of the Chairperson Managers conferences were continued in most of the areas rather than organising formal gatherings, rallies, meetings and training programmes. The SOs offered training mostly on micro-enterprise promotion.

Monitoring and Evaluation of CBOs
As the sustainable development programme is gaining maturity, Support Organisations have started to look at their level of performance. SCDP has already designed and provided monthly self-assessment tools under practice at the CBO level.

Sustainable Development Programme of Myagdi carried out monitoring and evaluation of 94 CBOs during this quarter. One of the CBOs is catagorised the best while 48 CBOs were found at the satisfactory level of performance. Forty-five CBOs were catagorised with some positive elements. This catagorisation was tended to help the programme in improving the performance level of the weak CBOs.

Learning from the Workshop

Learning Workshops has proven to be a very good platform to know more closely about each others Project activities as well as process of implementation in the districts. All the SGP programme staffs, with different levels and backgrounds had participated in the workshops. There were experienced field staff and the beginners. The real interaction started when new staff complained about hardship in staging the activities at the grassroots. Then senior staff of the other project, was being requested to share initial experiences in implementing the activities in his/her district.
According to Mr. Chandika Amgain, Team Leader, WBMP/ Baitadi, he was not accepted in the village as he was an intruder at the beginning. He was even threatened to be killed. "Being an outsider and young, my words were too hard to digest for the elders", said Mr Amgain. But their attitude towards him gradually changed with the passage of time. Their hatred changed to love and admiration, which he valued so much.

Sharing his working strategy, he emphasised on "Staging the project means managing the communities, and to manage them, one should study their dynamism". When the community is ready and willing, simply hand over the stick of community mobilisation to themselves". He further added.

"On the staff's part, the staff should be well equipped with the theory and practice of social mobilisation, and should be honest with the community with no false promises. This is the most versatile weapon of a social activist", Said the Team Leader.

Mr Samir Newa, Programme Support Officer, Himalayan Light Foundation (HLF), had similar story to tell. Working in the remote Bongadovan, a two-day hard walk from Beni- the nearest road head, has been a great experience. "Bongadovan has been my University where the communities have taught me the techniques of survival. The challenge, the hardship and the conflict were always there,." said Mr Newa. "In the initial stage, I always had rows with the villagers and sometimes the frustrations were so great that I had almost decided to give up all my hope in three different occasions." he further added.

During the course of time, 107 solar home systems were installed, women started knitting the woolen bags and the communities were exposed to the outside world, then they began to value their achievements. "Now-a-days, for the locals, the programme is their pride. It is nothing but praise and admiration", said Mr Newa. He had shown innumerable letters and poems written by the villagers praising about the programme as the evidence.

Initial obstacles were seen in Salyan too, where rampant insurgency is still there. Mr Padam B Singh, Field Co-ordinator, SADIKA, shared his trauma during the implementation of the project. "We had to satisfy the tri-parties - the government, the insurgents and the communities". "Sensitising the communities in the district was not a problem, but streamlining the government and the rebel was the most difficult part," further argued Mr Singh. Both the parties watched his activities with greater suspicion. Both thought he was the agent of the other. "We had to organise a series of dialogue separately to convince both the parties. They even attended CBOs meeting to know more closely about the project and eradicate their suspicion". Said the Field Co-ordinator.
At present all these projects have emerged as winner after initial tussles and obstacles. These projects have rescued tide - thrown starfish and thrown wisely back to a difference in their respective arena of habitat to make.

SCDP: Doing something to people's live

“An action-directed project with direct field-level activities, SCDP has in the past six years gained a wealth of experience in participatory approaches to development that promote environmental protection. Some community –level initiatives under SCDP lead directly to resource conservation: biogas for domestic cooking, smokeless improved stoves, forest nurseries, eco-tourism projects, and environmental literacy classes. We now know how to mobilize community groups in villages with heterogeneous ethnicity, what not to do in villages with just one caste, how to prevent domination by the elite of community programmes. The experience in the six districts is also beginning to show that once villagers reach a certain economic and social stability, once they don’t have to worry about survival from day to day, once their children get proper education and health care – that is when seriously start thinking about conserving natural resources for tomorrow. Environmental protection and sustainable human development stop being just jargon, and actually mean something to people’s lives.”

(Kunda Dixit, Editor of Nepali Times English weekly, from ‘Building New Nepal’, a case study report, October 2001)