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On the
occasion of world Environment Day 2010, NETIF (Nepal
Environment & Tourism Initiative Foundation), in
conjunction with Dhulikhel Rotary Club, Dhulikhel
Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Dhulikhel
Chefs Association, organized a special event focused
on the environment in and around Dhulikhel. The
focal point for the event was to mark the occasion
of World Tourism Day and the main message of the
event was to spread awareness amongst the local
people of Dhulikhel about the importance protecting
our precious natural environment and keeping the
surrounding area clean in order to promote better
environment and a green economy.
The aim
of the event was to recognize and respect our
treasured environment which is essential to the
future growth of the tourism industry and our own
health and wellbeing. The importance of preserving,
respecting and enhancing the natural environment in
our region was the highlight of the event.
The event took place around Dhulikhel and commenced
with a regional cleanup campaign. Willing students,
community members and NETIF staff took place in the
cleanup program which removed waste and rubbish from
the streets of the beautiful township. Throughout
the clean up, the message was spread about the
importance of waste management, correct disposal of
rubbish and keeping our natural environment clean
and green. NETIF not only arrange the clean up in
Dhulikhel, but also throughout the NTOEDP (Nepal
Tourism, Outdoor & Environment Development Project)
area which encompasses NETIF’S project the
“Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail”. Clean up
campaigns where undertaken in Mulkharaka, Nagarkot
and Chisapani with the cooperation of village
committee members and local villagers.
To help
with promotion and awareness about the importance of
the environment and what NETIF is working to achieve
in the area, a special feature program was aired on
FM radio. During the program, Arun Shrestha (NETIF
President), Keshav Kunwor (NETIF Board Member), Dr
Sanzay Achanal (Proff. Environmental Sciences,
Kathmandu University), Pro Sabita Anyal (Proff &
NETIF Board member) and Uday Bhoshan (Dhulikhel
Rotarian) where interviewed. Topics discussed where
the importance of waste management, conversation of
our environment, Global Warming and the importance
of working together to meet the challenges of
preserving the environment and sustainable tourism
practices and activities to support proposed
environmental programs. Also a special interview was
held with M.P Krishna Prasad Sapkota who took the
opportunity to talk about the Government policy on
the environment and decentralization.
To help
manage solid waste in the area of Dhulikhel and to
make the area a more beautiful place to attract more
tourists, NETIF is introducing a plan in conjunction
with the local Municipality and the Dhulikhel DDC to
manage waste and to fund cleaners and gardeners for
the area. To get the project rolling, on world
Environment Day, NETIF placed 200 rubbish bins,
employed 5 cleaners and 2 gardeners and placed
environment and waste management awareness
signboards through Dhulikhel. NETIF hopes to back
this up in the future with regular awareness
campaigns and to work very closely with relevant
bodies in Dhulikhel and the Hotels and Resorts to
make this plan a success.
After
the clean up, there was a parade through the streets
of Dhulikhel spreading the message of World Tourism
Day and the main theme – “Biodiversity, Ecosystem
Management and the Green Economy”. The parade and
following programs where attended by NETIF board
members and staffs, Hoteliers, Rotary Club of
Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Local Schools and college students, The
Chef’s Association of Nepal, Local Clubs and social
groups, police members and the local community.
During
the day participants took part in a tree planting
program around the streets of Dhulikhel. Over 200
shrubs, trees, flowering bushes and ornamental
plants where planted around the town. Eager school
children and community members got their hands dirty
spreading the message about the importance of trees
and making Dhulikhel ‘a plastic free zone ‘and more
beautiful place for the future. To carry on the
theme of a Clean and Green Environment, and to take
the first tentative steps into making Dhulikhel a
plastic free zone, NETIF distributed canvas shopping
bags to local people. The “Tarkari Jhola” will be
used by people when visiting the local markets and
help reduce the amount of plastic waste.
NETIF is
also intensely involved in promoting the use of the
Briquette as a form of alternative energy to be used
by villagers in place of firewood. On the day, NETIF
hosted a training program in Briquette making and
also a program in environment support. It is hoped
that if the making and use of Briquettes takes off
throughout our project area, then we can go a long
way in helping to manage deforestation.
During
the day there was also a display of organic
vegetables which where both for exhibition and sale
purposes in order to promote and support the growing
organic vegetable industry in the local area. These
facts are commonly known and organic farming is not
a new concept, what is lacking is the commitment to
make the change towards better environment
practices. What NETIF is aiming to achieve is to
promote the benefits of organic farming to the
farmer, to the local community and to the hotel
sector. Of course a farmer will not embark on the
changes needed to undertake organic farming if he is
not supported and receives no profit from doing so.
First and foremost, the man of the land must be able
to make a sustainable living from his work. This is
where the local community, and more so the Hotel and
tourism sectors can come in.
The last
program on the agenda was a Blood Donation.
Throughout the day participants and local community
where encouraged to donate blood and help support
local hospitals by boosting critical blood supply
levels.
The day
was considered a great success in Dhulikhel as well
as other clean up areas of Mulkharka, Chisapani and
Nagarkot. The message and importance of World
Environment Day was well and truly spread throughout
the region.
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