RE: FW: Dr Lohani's very important perspective on "stored water"

May 5, 2011

To: Basanta Nepal


Basanta jee

Good to hear from you.

In English that is called “speaking from two sides of the mouth” and he is right that UCPNM has been inconsistent in its policy and approach towards Nepal’s water resources. I too have pointed this out to them several times publicly and in my articles too. However, Dr Lohani’s present “perspective” on water is also no less important. Because, it was he who signed Mahakali treaty which “surrendered” Nepal’s right to water and the current stance of his is diametrically opposite to what is enshrined in that treaty.

Yes, you have raised a valid point. We, as an upstream country, have absolute territorial sovereignty over the water flowing in our rivers and we shouldn’t allow politicos to fritter this away. Although, Koshi and Gandaki treaties were signed against Nepal’s interest in many respects but these in two treaties India has accepted Nepal’s absolute territorial sovereignty over water of these two rivers (except for water of dry season in the case of Gandaki river).

With best regards,

Sincerely,


Ratna Sansar Shrestha, FCA
Senior Water Resource Analyst
http://www.ratnasansar.com/



From: Basanta [mailto:basantaraj@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 22:03
To: Ratna Sansar Shrestha
Subject: Re: FW: Dr Lohani's very important perspective on "stored water"


Dear Ratna Sir,

Thank you very much for sharing the article. The view and analysis on Nationalism by Dr. Lohani should be understood by so called Nationalistic leaders/parties too. He has addressed a crucial character of politics who have two mouth or in popular Nepali saying "Elephants with two different types of teeth."

It will really great, this will be followed by another article about integrated water resource management. We as upstream country and for any infrastructure build on Nepal, what would it be used if we do not possess it? How can we call ourselves sovereign if we cannot make decisions and use resources for our own benefit. It is the time that decision makers should answer to their own character/action rather than blaming others/history only.

Thank you again sir for the mail.


Best Regards,

-Basanta Nepal

On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 5:27 PM, Ratna Sansar Shrestha wrote:

Dear colleague

In the attached article you can find very important perspective of Dr Lohani on "stored water" which, unfortunately, is buried in a write up dealing with “political poverty”. Not that the theme of the article, political poverty, is unimportant.