KATHMANDU: The local governments, on Wednesday, have sought federal government’s support to strengthen their climate resilience.

However, local levels feel marginalized by the federal and provincial governments in this regard.

Whether it is foreign exposure or discussions on pressing climate change issues, federal-level officials dominate the scene, and budget allocations for local levels are insufficient for climate action, as expressed during a program organized in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Representatives at the local level expressed concerns about the concentration of knowledge and training at the central level, limiting their capacity to implement climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience programs.

Mayor of Kageshwori Manohara municipality, Upendra Karki, stated during the ‘National Dialogue on Climate Change’ organized by the Municipality Association of Nepal (MuAN), “Institutional study and management of the environment and climate change are required at the local level. Strengthening local levels is essential for ensuring effective climate actions.”

Karki emphasized the importance of building knowledge and skills for climate change adaptation and mitigation at the local level, suggesting the establishment of knowledge centers at the local level to raise awareness on this pressing issue.

Similarly, Deputy Mayor of Nagarjun Municipality, Sushila Adhikari, questioned why only government officials from central levels participated in international forums, while local-level employees and people’s representatives lacked knowledge on climate change.

Adhikari stressed that without capacity-building at the local level, climate actions could not achieve the desired results.

MuAN Chair Bhim Prasad Dhungana, Vice Chair Krishna Prasad Sapkota, and Chairperson of the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal, Laxmi Devi Pande, urged the federal government to allocate a more liberal budget to local levels for efficient climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Dr. Dila Sangraula, Chairperson of the Centre for Democracy and Development, expressed concern about why the climate change issue was not prioritized as it should be.

She emphasized the need for massive awareness on climate change and its impacts at the local level, along with robust coordination among the three tiers of government.

On the occasion, Chairperson of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the federal parliament, Ramhari Khatiwada, suggested considering policy and structural reforms to strengthen local government.

Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Buddi Sagar Paudel, acknowledged that the present systems of energy and finance were insufficient to help Nepal achieve its climate ambitions.

Balananda Paudel, Chairperson of the National Natural Resource and Financial Commission, underscored the need for effective implementation of policy work plans on climate change and transparency in local-level budgets.

The dialogue was held on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of MuAN, an umbrella organization of municipalities in the country.

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