Youth issues on disaster risk reduction at national symposium

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Youths shared ideas, opinions and experiences on the issues of youths on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at National symposium held on Kathmandu.

As a part of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day-11 (IDRR-11), national symposium entitled, “Importance of participation of Youths and Children in DRR in Nepal” was conducted at Kathmandu on October 13 with the joint effort of various youth organizations and other stakeholders where “paschim paaila” was one of them. The symposium basically focused on the issues of Youths and children and their role on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) which is definitely an issue for consideration.

“paschim paaila”, being a youth network on Environmental health and Disaster, also utilized the platform for sharing some thoughtful learning and youth initiatives regarding “youths’ issues and  role on Disaster/Emergencies”. Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan presented a paper on behalf of “paschim paaila” combined with Mr. Brabim KC, AYON on the topic entitled, “Youth, Youth policies in Nepal and Youth Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction”. Also, the remaining three papers were presented by the expert from UNICEF, NRCS and Department of Mines and Geology, GoN.

Around 100 participants were participated on the symposium in which more than 60 percent participants were youths. Similarly, remarkable participation from children could be seen on the symposium along with the professionals. Finally, a youth declaration on DRR was made after the group discussion with the participation of youths and children and the symposium was concluded.

Concerning youths on history, culture and conservation at WASH FORUM

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Is there anyone who doesn’t get amazed when heard that the foundation of ‘Eco-city’ was conceptualized thousand years ago on the cities of Kathmandu Valley? Yes, this is true fact which was revealed by Mr. Padma Sundar Joshi, UN-HABITAT among 36 youths from various fifteen dimensions at WASH FORUM (Monthly talk program) on September 26, 2011 at ENPHO Hall, New-Baneshwor.

As a part of the monthly talk series, “Machhendranath Jatra and Stone spouts in Patan” was the topic for the August series in which Mr. Padma shared his insights with interesting facts, figures, historic backgrounds, cultural patterns and conservation aspects of traditional stone water spouts existing in Kathmandu Valley. He emphasized on consumption along with conservation of the resources for the sustainable management of resources. The Machhendranath Jatra is a celebration of the water culture that links  sustainable water management with socio-cultural practices”, he said, “The association of cultural behaviors and conservation of stone spouts was very predominant during Malla Regimes in Newar Communities of Kathmandu Valley, which was gradually degrading in Rana Regimes and destructed rapidly with respect to urbanization on last two decades.”

He also encouraged youths to be either activists or, management stakeholders for the sustainable solution. The program ended with the vote of thanks from Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan. WASH FORUM is the monthly talk program which held on every last Friday of English Month at 2 pm to 4 pm at ENPHO Hall, New-Baneshwor with the joint efforts of “paschim paaila” and ENPHO.

GROUND WATER ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVIES AT CHYASAL

By: Giri Raj Khatri

Drinking water scarcity, ground water depletion, drying up of stone spout is one of the most prevailing environmental problems faced globally and Kathmandu is not so far from it. Despite of different possible option to overcome such issues the responsible stakeholders do not provide their proper attention. Considering this problem, "paschim paaila" youth network with support from UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund and ENPHO established Rain water harvesting system at chayasal in mutual coordinateon with local youth club on 3-8 August, 2011.

Main objective of constructing RWH system is to uplift ground water table through artificial recharge along with development of skill of youths in RWH system construction. The system has been constructed with catchment area of 92 m² which harvest around 11, 04,000.00 ltrs/yr. The harvested water is used for recharging ground water via dug-well through which ground water is withdrawal and supplied to community for drinking purpose. "The harvested rain water is very useful to enhance ground water and also handy for increasing water quality through dilution and also harvested water is pure and not contaminated if harvesting system is clean"- said Bijay Thapa, Engineer ENPHO.  Rain water collection is adopted traditionally everywhere and if we add some technology in managerial manner, it would be good to collect rain water effectively which is one of the best water optimization technique as well.

 

At the end of the installation program, four local community youths become skillful to construct rain water harvesting system and able to develop self entrepreneurship among them. "We got technical knowledge in RWH system construction which is very useful to increase the working field"-said Jitendra Byanjankar, one of the participants from chaysal, a professional plumber.