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For a country like Nepal, where authorities have political and politically personal priorities to meet, there are limited contributions and advocations to make in global and even regional platforms. They can neither influence interceptive response nor alleviative fight against forest fire. Nevertheless, there are still numerous actions, and more importantly, responsibilities to administer at the local level that can prove to be significant to reduce the impact. The easiest thing that we can do is to talk about it. Obviously, not to the point where the talk starts traumatizing people, but up to the point where the talk makes people think that it is dangerous, its occurrence is inevitable, it can happen again, but it can be dealt with. There should be discussions, from the kitchen corner and local tea shop to the media, and from Chautari to Singha Durbar, about what can happen and how.

It has been a few months now since the catastrophic, but not unexpected, fire caravan passed through our forests. So, let’s talk about this. Talk helps to process the gravity of post-disaster trauma, enhances perception towards the fire, triggers a ‘blame game’ dominos among stakeholders, and eventually raises voice to a ‘Kathmandu Standard’ frequency that is audible to at least one Department or Responsible Authority. It was a pity that nobody took responsibility to give victims and burnt forests a horizon to look up for relief and rehabilitation. But who actually was going to take responsibility for the wildfire anyway? Department of Forest? National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority? Locals? God? No one? 

Talks ignite mass thinking, and eventually, mass awareness. Such awareness on fire anatomy is the simplest yet the most significant way to fight fire. Anatomically, fire is made up of three components: heat, fuel, and oxygen. They collectively make a fire triangle. Getting rid of one of them will break the fire chain and stop any fire. In a natural environment, it is rather impossible to remove oxygen from the fire triangle, therefore, heat and fuel are two components that can be manipulated to break the fire triangle. 

If we break down the fire triangle into a fire equation, there are numerous dependent and independent variables that influence forest fires. The forests’ species composition is one of the variables for fire occurrence, and in return the fire regime and frequency of occurrence dictate back the forest composition. Unlike other fire-dependent forests (such as in Australia), our forests don’t possess a defined fire regime. The species aren’t fire dependent; they neither encourage the fire to ignite and spread nor rehabilitate from extensive damages after the fire. Even though such periodic and recurring fire events are not attributes of our forests, they do occur, mostly during the dry season before monsoon.

Climate change, however, is the one that drastically influences the equation. In the current context, it is no speculatation to say that climate change is considerably the strongest variable for the increasing trend of forest fires globally, including in Nepal. The elongated dry seasons, irregular precipitation, and spiking rise in temperature have made forest fires inconsistently frequent and catastrophic. Such uncharacteristic fires not only burn down the existing forest resources but also facilitate weed infestation and alter the historical species composition of native forests. In the hilly and mountainous frame of reference, the challenging landscape is another strong variable that brutally facilitates fire spreading and impedes firefighting. 

It is, nonetheless, not right to blame climate change for everything that goes wrong in the forest and alleviate ourselves from the equation. That’s because almost all forest fires in Nepal are anthropogenically induced. Such fires are most likely to burst out in the proximity of settlements given the common sources of heat are pre-cultivation preparation burns, post-harvest residue burns, unsmothered campfires, cigarette butts, and other religious and recreational fires. In addition, increased migration patterns triggered by climatic vulnerabilities have created a circle of increasing forest cover, increasing fuel load, increasing risk of catastrophic fire events, and eventually increasing the migration. Since fires start in the vicinity of settlements, serious damages to settlements are foreseen, including fatalities, injuries, property and crop damage, and exposure of communities to socio-economic vulnerability and psychological trauma. 

In Nepal, forests have been extensively exploited for purposes ranging from livelihood support and tourism to industrial entrepreneurship and infrastructural development. From Kharkhadai and Yarsagumba collection to illegal extraction of forest resources, every human maneuver poses a threat of forest fire. People, hence, are the center of problems but also the center of solutions. There are more than 22000 Community Forests in Nepal with hundreds of thousands of locals of Community Forests registered as associated user groups. 

Hypothetically, user groups are managing forests intending to sustainably exploit them in perpetuity. Forests have been managed by traditional users for centuries. There are therefore traditional approaches prevalent for fire management with the localized skill and extensive understanding of their forest. If such traditional skills are incorporated with safety procedures, contemporary science, and professionalized responsibility, it will generate the most effective and methodical package for fire management. Training those user groups will constitute a huge squad of local firefighters; firefighters who won’t wait for the fire to start to fight against it, who fight fire every day. The training could include operational safety procedures, fuel reduction, prescribed burn, and awareness programs. 

At present, we neither have readily available technology nor profuse skilled manpower to modernize firefighting. However, with available local resources and trained volunteers, fire breaks, drenches, rainwater harvest reservoirs, and fire towers could still be engineered. The construction of fire prevention structures and utilization of forest extracts, especially the dead and dry resources could effectively reduce the fuel load and hence axes the vulnerability of forests to a catastrophic event. One of the major headaches, nevertheless, will be the investment in operational tools and safety equipment. But the biggest headache is migration.

As we mentioned earlier, there is a serious consequence of migration on forest fires. The out-migration not only increases the forest area in and around the village but also intrudes on human-nature coexistence. Most if not every household in rural Nepal used to rear cattle. These cattle were cogs for active farmland, rangeland, and forest management. 

Some activities triggered by cattle were grazing, fodder and firewood collection, dry leaves collection for bedding materials, forest trial delineation, and landscaping. The aforementioned activities were the reason why local people comprehended forest geography, composition, physiology, and biodiversity. Everything that was collected from forests eventually ended up in farmland in the form of fences, mulch, and manure that contributed to subsistence farming. The whole phenomenon, hence, established a historical linkage between forests and hand-to-mouth affairs in every family in rural Nepal. Therefore, people worshiped auspicious forests in the name of Bankali, Ban Devi, Deurali, Nagasthan, Chautari, etc., and celebrated auspicious days such as Deurali Puja, Jhakri Puja, Deuli Puja, etc. to pay gratitude to forests and nature. 

Given the cultural structure and composition of rural communities, traditional beliefs and norms had a strong influence on forest management. And then the migration started. Migration, for various significant reasons, enabled poverty reduction, changed the socio-economic activities and livelihood patterns of villages, shuffled the demographic structure, and broke off the traditional land-use motif. Eventually, the inevitable lack of manpower, willpower, and reasons for active intervention in forests led to reduced active forest management in community forests. 

Anyway, when life gives us lemon, we ought to make lemonade. The forest rehabilitation is the consequent lemonade here. We should perform post-fire salvage operations to harvest economically valuable timber and non-timber products before they are exposed to climatic and pathological attacks. All the woods that had their crown, branches, and bark burnt could still have some salvageable wood left on them. The salvage operation also opens space and circumstances for regeneration. In addition, we should also be aware that if we fail to regenerate, weeds and invasive species can call the forest floor their new home. 

In the end, fire predictions, early fire warnings, and smoke detection systems are some important mechanisms to contain the fire and limit its spread. Science has evolved extravagantly in the past few years and has moved the early detection system from terrestrial to air-based and satellite-based systems eventually resulting in extensive, prompt, precise, and reliable information. There are technologies like unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) for fire predictions and vulnerability mapping. UAVs, famously known as Drones, can do much more than feature on Instagram. The use of Nepali satellites for the study and management of disasters has already been realized at the government level for a while now. However, it will take time to execute the realization into practice. 

Meanwhile, NepaliSat-1 and SanoSat-1 have triggered a hopeful question; whether the use of satellite-based systems for real-time fire detection, monitoring, severity mapping, and risk assessment would be possible with Nepali technology?

Mithai shops are a dime-a-dozen today but the Shree Nanda Mithai Bhandar stands out with its timeless recipes. It’s popular with people lining up for their daily dose of Nepali sweets on a daily basis.

“The shop first opened its doors 165 years ago and has been passed down for five to six generations,” says Radha Krishna Rajkarnikar who currently manages the store. The shop is located at the heart of Patan Durbar Square right behind the Krishna mandir. It’s famous for its amazing traditional Newari sweets which carry many cultural values and emotions. Newari sweets are used in almost all of their festivals and marriage ceremonies.

This store prepares more than 35 varieties of sweets. The ‘khuwa ko barfi’, ‘lakhamari’, and ‘jeri swari’ are some of the bestselling items. Despite good business, they haven’t expanded and still make all their items at the store premises itself. Rajkarnikar says this is intentional as they believe their popularity is because of the quality of their products and they don’t want to compromise with it.

“We didn’t open a cafe despite the demands for one because we want to maintain strict discipline regarding cleanliness and quality. We have a lot of regular customers that we don’t want to let down at any cost,” he says.

Behind the shop is a little space where the workers make all the mouth-watering sweets. The Nepali month of Mangsir sees a lot of weddings and the store gets inundated with orders. “Sometimes we make sweets till one in the morning, sleep for four hours, and wake up to complete the orders,” says Rajkarnikar.

Interestingly, the shop isn’t just a place that sells sweets and occasionally allows its workers to take long naps. It’s also where an important part of the Kartik naach takes place. On the second last day of the festival—when Narasingha, the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, kills the evil power Hiranyakashyap, an asura king of the daityas in the Puranic scriptures of Hinduism. The ceremony is held inside the shop on that day. They empty the cooking room for the ritual.

I cry over the littlest of things especially when I’m criticized by my family. I don’t mean to but I get hurt easily. I know this isn’t the right response and I want to work on it. I know this will also affect my relationship with my family members and I don’t want that. What can I do?

Answered by Rishav Koirala, researcher and physiatrist

It’s not uncommon for individuals to experience strong emotional reactions, such as crying, when faced with criticism, particularly from family members. These emotional responses can be influenced by a combination of personal sensitivities and the deep emotional connections inherent in familial relationships. The impact of persistent emotional distress, especially when rooted in familial criticism, can extend beyond the immediate moment, potentially contributing to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

To effectively address these emotional challenges, it’s crucial to engage in a multifaceted approach. Firstly, acknowledging and accepting these emotions without self-blame is essential. Emotions are complex, and allowing oneself to feel without judgment is the starting point for understanding and managing them.

Taking time to reflect on the specific triggers within the criticism can provide valuable insights. Understanding what aspects of the criticism evoke such strong emotional responses can help uncover underlying concerns or insecurities. This self-awareness can then serve as a foundation for developing strategies to cope with and navigate these triggers.

Building effective communication skills is another key aspect of managing emotional responses within the family dynamic. Expressing one’s feelings and needs openly and honestly can foster a deeper understanding among family members, potentially reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and conflicts.

Exploring and adopting coping strategies tailored to individual preferences is crucial. This might involve activities such as mindfulness, journaling, or engaging in hobbies that provide a sense of joy and relaxation. Building a personalized toolbox of coping mechanisms enhances one’s ability to manage emotions effectively.

In cases where emotional responses persist and significantly impact well-being, seeking professional support is highly advisable. Therapy or counseling provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to delve deeper into their emotions, understand underlying issues, and develop practical strategies for improved mental health. Prioritizing emotional well-being is a fundamental aspect of self-care, and with the right support, individuals can work towards building resilience and navigating family dynamics more effectively.

Last week, India organized the second edition of Voice of Global South Summit to share key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings over the course of India’s Presidency this year. The summit discussed the common challenges faced by the countries of the Global South.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was also invited at the concluding session of the summit attended by more than 125 countries from the Global South . Addressing the session, Dahal said that the world is facing an unprecedented crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and deepening geo-political complexities. They have impacts on food and nutrition, health and education, economy and environment, and peace and security, he said.

“Developing countries, especially the LDCs, are the most affected by these crises. Rising food and energy prices, tightening financial conditions, and persistent cycles of vulnerabilities continue to add to their worries,” Dahal said.

In order to address the challenges facing the world, Dahal urged the international community to focus on common goals of peace, progress and prosperity. For this, building of trust, promoting partnership and collaboration and working in solidarity remain crucial, the prime minister emphasized.  

Dahal also called for the need to champion inclusive and sustainable global growth, in which the Global South receives a fair share to eradicate poverty and give their people a decent life. He also said tha Nepal remains steadfast in its commitment to multilateralism with the United Nations at the center.

“Nonetheless, we believe that the existing global governance architecture needs a timely reform to make it relevant and reflective of today’s realities. Reform of the international financial architecture should be a top priority with full consideration to the voice of the countries in special situations, including LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS,” Dahal said.

He added: “Climate change remains a grave threat to humanity. Climate-vulnerable countries like Nepal have been bearing the burden of climate change. The effect of climate change on the Himalayas has posed a severe threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people living in our region. We all must commit ourselves to achieving the set ambitions in a time-bound manner.”

The prime minister further said that Nepal is graduating from the LDC status by 2026 and the nation is committed to making this process smooth, sustainable, and irreversible. 

“Sustainable Development Goals remain at the center of our development vision and priorities with integration into national policies and plans. But even the progress that we achieved so far has been threatened by the multitude of global crises,” he said.  “Hence, we have been calling for an enhanced level of international support from our partners such as development assistance, FDI, trade facilitation, technology transfer and technical assistance. South-South cooperation should also be forthcoming to lifting the neediest countries.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Global South wants its autonomy and it is ready to take up greater responsibility in global matters. 

“Geographically, the Global South has always existed, but it is getting a voice for the first time, and this is because of joint efforts. We are more than 100 countries but our priorities are similar,” he said. 

Modi also spoke of the 5 ‘Cs’, a commitment to which would power the growth of these countries. The 5 ‘Cs’ are “consultation, cooperation, communication, creativity and capacity building.

The foreign ministers’ session deliberated on major global agendas, including climate change, energy transition, technological transformation, and restoring trust in multilateralism. 

Minister for External Affairs of India S Jaishankar said India took over its G20 Presidency in the backdrop of a very challenging global, and in its presidency, India’s anchor was the Global South.  

“Its voices inspired our priorities, fueled our efforts, and galvanized a path-breaking consensus,” he said. “Recognizing our shared past, the Global South will continue to make efforts for One Earth and to strengthen the voices of the developing countries, the Indian minister said, as one family, the Global South will continue to act with everyone’s interests in mind and drive transformation and building synergies.”  

In the summit, India also announced some initiatives. One of them is the Global South Centre of Excellence which will work as a think tank and will also work as a repository of knowledge and development initiatives in order to interface with the Global South and seek ways to forge collaboration with countries in this region. 

On Nov 22, India organized a G20 leader’s Summit to review the progress in the implementation of outcomes and action points from the New Delhi Summit. India has said that during the G20 presidency it articulated the voice of the Global South. 

Ahead of COP28, in the G20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Modi urged the countries to take concrete actions on Global South’s priorities in the Global South.  

Foreign policy observers say Nepal can take the benefit from the initiatives but Nepal has not made any preparations on it. Climate change is one of the areas on which Nepal can get benefits.

Box

The proposal made by Modi:

• Climate action and climate justice with greater focus on adaptation
• Easy and affordable climate finance for vulnerable countries
• Raising climate finance from billions to trillions
• Just, inclusive and affordable energy transition
• Focus on alternative fuels
• G20 high-level principles on Hydrogen
• Tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030

India’s initiative for Global South

• Global South Center of excellence for research on development issues
• Arogya Maitri Initiative for supplying essential medicines and supplies for humanitarian assistance to global south
• India’s digital health service delivery stack to be made available to Global South
• Global South and Science and Technology initiative for the capacity building
• G20 satellite mission for environment and climate observation to share climate and weather data with Global South
• Global South Partnership Program for the students of global south in India
• Global-South young diplomat forum

The G20 Summit in September spoke at length about the voices of developing countries in the global decision-making process.

• Better integrate the perspectives of developing countries, including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, into future G20 agenda and strengthen the voice of developing countries in global decision making.
• Recognize the importance of WTO’s ‘Aid for Trade’ initiative to enable developing countries, notably LDCs, to effectively participate in global trade, including through enhanced local value creation.
• Facilitate equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures, especially in Low-and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), LDCs and SIDS.
• Accelerate actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change being experienced worldwide, particularly by the poorest and the most vulnerable, including in LDCs and SIDS.
• Continue to support augmentation of capabilities of all countries, including emerging economies, in particular developing countries, LDCs and SIDS, for promoting disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure systems.
• Extend strong support to Africa, including through the G20 Compact with Africa and G20 Initiative on supporting industrialization in Africa and LDCs. Hold further discussions to deepen cooperation between the G20 and other regional partners.
• Increase resource needs of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and FATF Style Regional Bodies and encourage others to do the same, including for the next round of mutual evaluations. Timely and global implementation of the revised FATF Standards on the transparency of beneficial ownership of legal persons and legal arrangements to make it more difficult for criminals to hide and launder ill-gotten gains.