FIRST WOMAN ECONOMICS NOBEL LAURATE DIES; RESEARCHED ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT IN NEPAL Kathmandu, 13 June: Elinot Ostrom, a professor at Indiana University whose extensive research in Nepal on local governance and management of natural resources made the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economic died Tuesday from cancer, the university said, according to agencies from Indiana. She was 78. nnnn WHITE-BACKED VULTURES DECLINING Kathmandu, 13 June: The number of Oriental white-backed vultures (Gyps bengalensis) living around the East-West Highway across the Tarai is gradually declining, according to a latest survey, The Kathmandu Post reports. A team of conservationists from Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) recently completed annual highway transects survey of vultures found 43 Oriental white-backed vultures, one of the two critically endangered gyps found in the country. Their number was around 205 in 2002 and later significantly dropped to 55 in 2009. The last four years saw very limited fluctuations in vulture numbers and we found a slight decline from the latest survey conducted during May 2012, said Khadananda Paudel, lead researcher of the team, on Tuesday. The survey area covered a total of 1,010 kilometre stretching from Kakarvitta in Jhapa to Gaddachowki of Kanchanpur. In addition to the East-West Highway, the team also surveyed the mountain routes of Palpa-Gulmi-Arghakhanchi-Pyuthan, Doti-Dadeldhura-Baitadi-Darchula and Dang-Salyan-Rolpa. The survey was supported by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), UK. Excessive use of Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is the main cause of the decline. While the research results show positive signs, scientists warn that three species of vultures are still critically endangered and diclofenac is still killing vultures across South Asia despite a ban in Nepal, India and Pakistan in 2006. Meanwhile, a recent study on the population trend of vultures in Nepal shows an annual decline of 14 percent lower than the rate of decline in India and Pakistan. The Vulture Conservation Action Plan launched by the government along with BCN in 2009 across the western Tarai through a community-based approach has helped in attaining limited fluctuations in the numbers of these endangered birds, said Hum Bahadur Gurung, chief executive officer at BCN. South Asia’s vulture population has dramatically since 1990s. Monitoring of vultures in Nepal till 2011 indicates 91 percent decline in vulture population. Five of the nine species of vultures found in the country are in danger of extinction. nnnn HAN ASKS GOVT. TO ALLOW HOTEL OPERATION INSIDE CHITWAN PARK Kathmandu, 13 June: As the deadline to vacate the land leased by seven hotels and resorts inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) inches closer, the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has asked the government to roll back its decision to close down hotels inside the park, The Kathmandu Post writes. On Tuesday, a HAN delegation met Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and requested him to consider hoteliers’ plea and extend their contract. Amid differences between two committees of the dissolved parliament — Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Natural Resources and Means Committee (NRMC) — the government in December 2009 had given hotels and resorts inside CNP three years time to relocate. Based on reports that hotels inside the CNP were chopping trees for firewood and the use of generators was affecting the wildlife and park ecology, NRMC had recommended the government not to renew the hotels’ contracts. In its report, NRMC had said no permanent structure should be constructed in the park. The seven hotels, whose 15-year contracts ended on July 15, 2009, were allowed to operate for an additional three years considering the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. And, the extension is expiring in mid-July 2012. The seven hotels and resorts are Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Machan Wildlife Camp, Chitwan Jungle Lodge, Gaida Wildlife Camp, Island Jungle Resort, Hotel Narayani Safari and Temple Tiger Hotel. The government had offered extra privileges if the hotels voluntarily moved out within 2010, but the hotels were least interested to do so. None of them has started relocation preparation. The fresh request of hoteliers contradicts commitments they made two years ago that they would relocate their hotels. Hoteliers say they are hopeful that the government will allow them to operate inside CNP, Nepal’s most popular wildlife tourist destinations. “The Prime Minister has taken the issue positively and informed us (HAN) that a decision will be taken after holding a thorough study,” said HAN President Shyam Lal Kakshapati. Among the seven hotels, Tiger Tops is the oldest one and has been operating there for the last 45 years. Other resorts made their entry during the late 80s and 90s. “The government’s decision to close down hotels operating for the last four decades could send a negative message to prospective tourists,” Kakshapati said, adding that the government should realise the importance of private sector’s investment and employment these hotels are generating. According to hoteliers, closure of the hotels will have a negative impact on tourism, particularly the jungle safari, most popular among domestic and foreign visitors. Formerly the Royal Chitwan National Park, CNP was established in 1973 and was declared a World Heritage site in 1984. The park destination attracted 84,518 foreigners in 2010 among 145,468 foreigners who visited national parks and protected areas. The destination is also one of the most preferred destinations among for domestic tourists. nnnn : GOVT. TO SHIP MEDAL FOR SAUDI PRINCE Kathmandu, 13 June : The government has decided to confer highest medal on Saudi Arabian prince Al-Waleed bin Talal by holding a special function in Saudi Arabia, Kosh Raj Koirala writes in Republica. . Sources at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the medal will be conferred by Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia as Prince Talal expressed his inability to visit Nepal again to receive the award. "He [the prince] has conveyed to us that he would receive the award through Nepalese embassy," the source said. The then government hastily decided to confer him the Mahaujjwal Rastradeep medal--- the highest medal to be given to a foreigner except the head of the state --- during his visit to Nepal in November, 2010 for ´further strengthening relations between Nepal and Saudi Arabia´. However, he could not receive the medal due to opposition from various quarters to award a person who has not made substantial contribution to Nepal as per the regulations governing the government awards. Prince Talal was one of the 219 persons to receive medals from President Ram Baran Yadav during the decoration ceremony held at the presidential palace in Shital Niwas on May 22. "We had asked foreign ministry to enquire if the prince would be able to make it to Nepal to receive the medal. Since he expressed his inability we are making necessary preparations to send the medal through diplomatic channel," said a senior official at Home Ministry. There are three orders of government awards, namely Nepal Ratna, Rastra Gaurab and Rastradeep. The Rastradeep award, which is meant for honoring both Nepali and foreign nationals for their contribution to promote Nepal´s image, dignity and interests, is the highest to be given to any foreigner except the head of the state. Prince Talal had confirmed his visit to Nepal after then Nepali envoy to Saudi Arabia Hamid Ansari reportedly assured him that the Nepal government would confer a medal and a doctorate degree on him, but without consulting the government back home. But the preparations for the medal function could not be held as then Home Minister Bhim Rawal, who was chairman of the Decorations Committee, was not positive about the idea, saying that Nepal did not have any precedence of honoring foreign nationals who had not made substantial contribution to Nepal. Nnnn ________________________________________ POVERTY FUND CHARTERS HELICOPTER Kathmandu, 13 June: A government body formed precisely for alleviating poverty has spent an exorbitant sum of money for monitoring one of its programs, Rudra Khadka writes in Republica From Simkot, Humla. . Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), chaired by Prime Minister, has agreed to pay Rs 100,000 for chartering two helicopters to take 10 government officials, political leaders and stakeholders from Simkot -- the district headquarters of Humla -- to monitor a poverty-alleviation program in Limi VDC. According to Bijaya Lama, who arranged two chartered helicopters owned by Simrik Air and Fishtail Air for the trip, PAF has already paid Rs 50,000 in advance. "I will get the rest of the money later," said Lama. PAF has decided to charter two helicopters despite stiff resistance from some local politicians. Birkha Mahat, a Humla-based central committee member of Rashtriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, says that the helicopter charter has shown how the government budget meant for the poor is being misused. "Government officials, NGOs and politicians are all involved in budget misuse," says Mahat. "Chartering helicopter was not necessary." Shovanya Rokaya, district chapter president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, says that the objective of chartering helicopter was to go on an excursion rather than monitoring any program. "Many people are hardly able to arrange two squares meals a day," Rokaya said, adding, "It is a shame that helicopters have been chartered by using money meant for the needy." However, Shree Ram Subedi, spokesperson for PAF, says that helicopters were not chartered in Humla. "It is against our rules to charter helicopters," he said, adding, "These were like shared taxis.We have allowed our district officer to pay only Rs 25,000 for each person. We will not pay more than that." nnnn ________________________________________ PM’S OFFICE PROPOSE SEPARATE GAS CYLINDERS Kathmandu, 13 June: The Office of the Prime Minister has directed Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to introduce Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders with separate colours for domestic and industrial purpose, Shiromani Dhungana writes in The Himalayan Times. . Writing to the corporation yesterday, the office has urged the state-run oil company to implement the directive within 15 days. The separation of cylinders for domestic and industrial purpose will help reduce irregularities and provide better service to customers, an official at the office said. The effective implementation of the directive will help check the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders and prevent their diversion for industrial purpose and to the black market, said secretary at the ministry of commerce and supplies Lal Mani Joshi. Earlier too, the ministry had directed NOC to introduce separate colours for domestic and non-domestic LPG cylinders but the corporation had failed to implement the directive. “NOC, on Monday, directed all bottling plants to start using separate colours on LPG cylinders for domestic and industrial purpose,” said deputy director at NOC Sushil Bhattarai, adding that it has asked all the plants to introduce blue cylinders for industrial purpose. He, however, said that implementing the directive will not be as easy as it is thought. “First of all, there is no proper data of industrial users of cooking gas,” he said, adding that the lack of data will create hassles in introducing different colour LPG cylinders. He further said that separating colours is not a long-term solution. “Nepal Oil Corporation should not focus on only separating the colour of cooking gas cylinders for domestic and industrial purpose but also the weight of cylinders.” NOC was thinking about introducing separate colour cylinders after completing the distribution of consumer cards, said Bhattarai, defending the delay in implementing the provision. The government cannot adjust the price for industrial use of cooking gas even if it separates the colour of the LPG cylinders, he claimed. “The practical implementation of the separation of the colour of cylinders will not be applicable unless NOC makes a clear modality for issuing Product Delivery Order (PDO).” Price adjustment of LPG for industrial consumption is impossible unless NOC issues separate PDO for industrial purpose, he claimed. nnnn BAMJAN SUPPORTERS,POLICE CLASH Kathmandu, 13 June: Tension ran high, when followers of Ram Bahadur Bamjan, also known to be the reincarnation of Lord Buddha, clashed with riot police in Bara, Pathlaiya-Nijgadh road section today [Tuesday], The Himalayan Times reports.from Pathlaiya. Bamjan’s supporters had staged a sit-in and halted vehicular movement in the highway blaming the administration for not issuing Bamjan his citizenship certificate in the name of Bodhi Shrawan Dharma Sangh, a group said to be formed for his protection. The situation grew tense when locals of Dumarwan-7, Piluwa, charged the protesters with sticks for obstructing the highway in the name of fulfilling their demand. Some protesters have been injured due to police baton charge. Police impounded half a dozen motorcycles and more than 50 bicycles of the demonstrators. Hundreds of security personnel were mobilised to dismiss the sit-in of around 300 protestors. They had also obstructed vehicular movement on Saturday for four hours in the same place. Later, vehicular movement resumed after agreement was reached on holding discussion between protestors and representatives of Area Administration Office in District Administration office. Chief District Officer Birendra Kumar Yadav said the protestors did not come for dialogue but to stage another sit-in. “Their demand was against the law. We cannot give citizenship card ignoring the legal process,” he said. Bamjan’s birth certificate was issued in the name of Ramlal on April 21,1995 but his followers have been demanding his citizenship be made in the Sangh’s name, for which they have even made a duplicate birth registration certificate in the name of ‘Dharma Sangh’. Bamjan’s family have lodged complaint expressing dissatisfaction with the Sangh. Police have not taken action against the VDC staff who helped issue fake birth certificate nnnn. FURTHER DETAILS OF MAOIST LEADERS’ EFFORT UNITY Kathmandu, 13 June Senior leaders of the two rival factions of the UCPN-Maoist Tuesday held discussions to find ways to maintain unity in the party, The Rising Nepal reports.. The two factions led by party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and senior vice-chairman Mohan Baidhya ‘Kiran’ sat for dialogues for the first time after the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. "We held discussions about the party (unity). As it is the first kind of its nature, the meeting ended positively," Maoist chairman Prachanda said making a brief comment after the three and half hours long meeting at Kiran’s residence, Gongabu. The meeting held at a time when both the factions had announced their separate programmes. The dissenting faction is organsing its national conference on June 15 while the establishment has planned to hold mass meeting on the same day. "We put forward three conditions for the unity, first, the chairman should correct his mistakes with regard to constitution writing and army integration, second, the party should adopt the political line of new people’s democracy and third, the chairman should ensure that he implements what he commits to do," vice –chairman Kiran said after the meeting. He made it clear that his faction did not demand that Prachanda should give up his position as chairman of the party. When asked how the meeting ended whether positively with respect to keeping party unity, the Maoist vice-chair responded, "You could interpret it anyway because we (both factions) just put our views." We also want party. But it is determined by ideology, political line and tactics and in today’s meeting, we just talked about this, Kiran said. He said that the national conference called by the dissenting faction was not withdrawn. Although Kiran informed that senior leaders of the factions would hold next round of discussions on Wednesday as well, he did not elaborate about time and venue. The dissenting faction has been protesting every move of the establishment for more than a year. It denounced the much talked about 7-point agreement the establishment made with other parties for peace and constitution last year on Nov 1. Presently, it has objected to the government’s announcement for fresh election for CA. Besides Prachanda, party secretary Post Bahadur Bogati, standing committee member Krishna Bahadur Mahara represented the establishment faction in the meeting while Kiran, general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and standing committee member Netra Bikram Chanda attended the meeting from the dissenting faction. Nnnn UML DECIDES TO RESOLVE JANAJATI DEMAND THOUGH TALKS Kathmandu, 13 June: The standing committee meeting of CPN-UML Tuesday decided to resolve all internal disputes of the party by holding talks with the Janajati and the Madhesi leaders of the party, The Rising Nepal reports. UML leadership also started consultations with the dissenting central members representing the Janajatis and Madhesi communities to this effect from the meeting. The meeting held at the party’s central office at Balkhu decided to resolve the rift through consensus and maintain party unity. During the meeting, the Janajati leaders submitted a proposal in written demanding reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly (CA) to end the ongoing political and constitutional crisis. They also demanded inclusion of ethnic-identity based federal system in the new constitution. After the meeting, UML leader Ram Chandra Jha said that the party would move ahead in unity. The meeting also decided to launch protests against the government and stressed that a national consensus government could help end the ongoing political crisis. Party vice-chairman Ashok Rai, leaders Prithvi Subba Gurung and Ram Chandra Jha were also present. Earlier, they were boycotting the party meeting accusing the leadership of not addressing the issue of identity-based federalism. Meanwhile, UML leader KP Oli said that the parties had no alternative to consensus to resolve the current political crisis. Speaking at an interaction organized by Rafat Sanchar Club at Bhaktapur, Oli said that the nation has plunged into a deep political crisis due to the Maoists’ unilateral decision to dissolve the CA. He also said that the Maoist leaders were violating the past agreements. He alleged that the Bhattarai-led government dissolved the Constituent Assembly (CA) not to hold the fresh polls but with an ill-intention of remaining in power. Oli said that holding election was impossible until the parties forged political consensus. (Note: The standing committee meet continues Wedneday.) Nnnn