JANAKPURDHAM: Nepali Communist Party Coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said Nepal should raise the issue of climate change more effectively at international forums.
Speaking to journalists after arriving in Janakpurdham to participate in a party programme, Dahal said the rapid melting of the mountains due to climate change is not merely an environmental issue but one directly linked to human civilisation and existence.
“I raised this issue effectively at various international forums when I served as prime minister for the second and third time,” Dahal said. “The international community’s serious attention should now be drawn to this issue.”
Dahal said the rapid melting of mountains due to climate change is emerging as a serious threat to human existence. He added that the impacts of climate change are not confined to the Himalayan region but are increasingly affecting human life, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity and the overall economy.
Dahal also criticised the government for failing to expedite search and rescue operations for people trapped in a tunnel following the Bhotekoshi River flood, saying it should have sought the assistance of the international community, experts and specialised rescue teams.
He said many lives could have been saved had the government immediately deployed advanced technology and skilled personnel to determine the condition of those trapped inside the tunnel and carry out rescue operations.
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