Govt plans Summitteers' March to Copenhagen; Appa, Dawa to lead
AKANSHYA SHAH
KATHMANDU, Nov 2: With a view to grab the world attention toward the environmental degradation taking place in the Himalayas as a result of global warming and climate change, the government has planned a Summitteers´ March at Radhuspladsen, Copenhagen on the sidelines of the 15th Conference of the United Nations Framework for Climate Change (COP-15) in Copenhagen on December 11 coinciding with the International Mountain Day. COP-15 is scheduled for December 7-18.
March to coincide with Int´l Mountain Day
Climbers to participate in climbing gear
Govt to extend invite to famous climbers
To submit petition signed by children from remote corners
A declaration to be submitted at COP-15
WB, FNCCI and others to support the event
Sherpa cultural show in Copenhagen
Secretariat at NTNC, website launched
To this effect, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation is all set to extend an invitation to renowned climbers like Mrs Junko Tabei, Hon Rienhold Messner, Prof Peter Habeler, Morice Herzog, Kurt Dimberger, Chris Bonnington, Ken Noguchi, Ed Vister and Bekka Gustafser, and others. From home, some 20 summitteers, including the 19 times Mt Everest climber Appa Sherpa and young mountaineering sensation Dawa Steven Sherpa will participate in the March in their original climbing gear.
"The event has been planned to draw the world attention toward the plight of our Himalayas," Forest Minister Deepak Bohara told myrepublica.com, adding, "Nepal has to capture the unique opportunity provided by the upcoming COP-15, and what more than to carry the message through our famous mountaineers?"
Some 1800-2000 mountaineers from around the world will start an awareness raising campaign starting November 20 from Prague, the capital of Chez Republic, which will be taken to Rome, France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and finally leading to Copenhagen, Denmark.
Besides the March, the Ministry has also proposed a signature petition along a Thanka painting (with Mandala depiction) with signatures from kindergarten children from remote villages of Nepal. "Small children from schools in Solukhumbu, Rasuwa and Kathmandu will sign the petition thereby making it representative of three regions of Nepal," Bohara informed. He also said that Nepal will present a ´declaration paper´ on climate change to the gathering.
Also, as a symbol of Sherpa community´s connection with the Everest region, a Sherpa cultural troupe will perform in Copenhagen. There are suggestions that senior Buddhist monks too be extended the invitation.
The government has sought assistance from World Bank, Bankers´ Association, FNCCI, Hotel Association of Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Travel and Tour Operators´ Association, Everest Summitteers´ Association, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), and other relevant government agencies to make the event a grand success.
A meeting called by the Ministry at NTB Sunday took the decision to this effect. It was also decided in the meeting that a secretariat for this purpose will be set up at the National Trust for Nature Conservation and a website will be launched to give momentum to the campaign and a concept paper will be presented to the cabinet at the earliest.
Cabinet meeting in Base Camp proposed
The MoFSC has proposed that a cabinet meeting be held at the Everest Base Camp to draw the attention of the international community to the plight of the Himalayas and the people dependent on its resources caused due to climate change.
"The proposal has been in the line even before Maldives conducted its cabinet meeting under-water recently," Bohara said.
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Govt Plans Summitteers' March To Copenhagen; Appa, Dawa To Lead
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