President Ram Chandra Paudel said that it should not be forgotten that nations like Nepal that are suffering at the hands of climate change should be the main beneficiaries of the financial and technical aid prepared to minimize its effect.

Addressing the 40th anniversary of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), President Paudel said that the effects of climate change and environmental and biodiversity loss exceed national boundaries and impact the whole world.

He said, “The current world is in crisis because of climate change, loss in biodiversity and pollution of the environment. There is a more severe impact of the climate change on hilly regions as the geography of the hills is sensitive and economic and social background in the area is in shaky grounds.”

Mentioning that even though nations like Nepal which have negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, are suffering the most, President Paudel reminded that in the latest visit of the UN Secretary Antonio Guterres urged the world to look into the impact that Nepal is having because of the climate change though having no role on it.

He said, “Our biggest challenge is to make life easier for people living in the region by minimizing the effect of climate change. Due to the melting of snow in the mountains, bursting of glaciers, landslides and floods in the south coast, the economy, humanity and the environment are suffering great damage.”

The government has put a priority on collaborating with neighbouring countries and other international countries regarding climate change, degradation of the environment, disaster risk reduction, protection of biodiversity, and livelihood.

Full support is with ICMIOD on their organizational development as well as on sustainable development of the hills located at the Hindu Kush Himalayas and will remain in the future as well.

He said, “We all are aware that the Hindu Kush Himalayas is a treasure for energy, food, water, culture and biodiversity not only to the area but to the world. One-fourth of world human beings depend on the lap of the Hindu Kush Himalayas and this shows the dire need to preserve them.”

Source: Rising Nepal