[NNSD] Nepal's water resource sector, Pancheshar project and Nepal's future

January 27, 2010

Mr Phanindra Adhikary

Dear Phanindrajee

I fully agree with you that these people may not listen, especially to people like me who are wont to point out that the “emperor is naked” and even if they listen but it is highly like that they will not “hear”. I welcome your suggestion about a civil society movement. Let’s do something urgently.

With regard to your question if we are prepared to take risk, I for one am prepared to take the risk and I already am taking it aplenty and from the tone and tenor of your email it is clear that you are too. I am sure that there are many more in this forum [NNSD] itself who will be wiling to take the extra step in the interest of this nation and the generations to come. It is clear that due to all these wrong decisions, the future generations are being cheated and this generation is condemning the future generation to a fate worst than ours.

Let’s just take the example of opposition of Upper Karnali project by UCPNM. I just heard on the news that people are condemning the opposition of Upper Karnali project by UCPNM. But I hold a different view (as usual!) and support the move by UCPNM (although I don’t believe in communism). Because, the site has potential for 4,180 MW storage project and Indians are wrecking the site (I am sure intentionally) by exploiting it at far lower than its optimum capacity, only as a 300 MW project. By developing the site to its optimum potential we can have peak energy that fetches premium price (at very low cost). Additionally, the augmented flow can be used to change the fate of downstream districts like Kailali, Banke, Bardiya etc. not just in terms of increasing the cropping intensity, thereby increasing agricultural productivity, but even benefiting from things like water transportation et al.

At least what UCPNM is doing in this instance is in national interest.

With best regards,


Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha
________________________________________
From: NNSD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NNSD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Phanindra Adhikary
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 15:26
To: NNSD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [NNSD] Nepal's water resource sector, Pancheshar project and Nepal's future


Dear Ratna Sansar ji,

I think we need a movement on the issues that you have raised. I don't think articles that come out are read by the so-called decision/policy makers; and some groups of people meeting the political leaders might feel that they have been heard, but I am sure they are neither listened to and nor understood in view of political culture we have.

The hope is a civil society movement that is professional, non-partisan and that works in the interest of the people and Nepal, and not to one or two political parties.

Are we prepared to take the risk? I can be supportive, but can I participate in it? I need to think twice and I am sure we all have same dilemmas. If professionals can come out of this dilemma and work for a movement – then potentially the impossible of 'pulling back the Goru from going down-hill' can be turned to a 'difficult one from impossible'!

Phanindra
Kathmandu

________________________________________
From: NNSD@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NNSD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ratna Sansar Shrestha
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 7:01 AM
To: NNSD@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NNSD] Nepal's water resource sector, Pancheshar project and Nepal's future


This scribe is resigned to being the most misunderstood person by a big section of Nepali populace because when he writes critical articles, as he is wont to, people brand him “anti development.”