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The main opposition Nepali Congress has agreed to form a parliamentary probe committee without mentioning the name of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

The Parliamentary Party meeting held on Tuesday decided to form a parliamentary probe committee without mentioning the name of any particular person in the cooperative fraud scam.

After the meeting, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said that the task force would give the final shape.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of former General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula after party President Sher Bahadur Deuba was not feeling well.

Lekhak said that the names of additional members will be sent to the parliamentary secretariat after the terms of reference (ToR) of the committee is finalized.

Currently, Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki are in the task force from Nepali Congress.

Leader Lekhak claimed that a proposal will be tabled in the Parliament meeting at 4 pm today to endorse the agreement along with ToR.

The Congress has long been obstructing the House proceedings demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee by mentioning the name of Home Minister Lamichhane in the cooperative fraud case.

Now, the House obstruction will be cleared from today after the Congress expressed its readiness to form a parliamentary committee without mentioning the name of any particular person.

Of late, a very intense and interesting discourse is taking place in Nepal among the intellectuals, academicians and politicians over the present electoral system in general and the proportional representation (PR) system in particular. Some intellectuals and politicians associated with big political parties are arguing against the present PR system by portraying it as a ‘main cause’ of frequent changes in government. They are trying to spread the message that the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system is the only way to ensure stable governance in the country. But their line of argument is scientifically and democratically unjustified, incorrect and against the concept of inclusive democracy, something which our Constitution has upheld.

The context: Before the introduction of a mixed electoral system, Nepal was practicing the FPTP system. After decades-long practice, the country opted for a mixed electoral system to minimize the demerits of the FPTP system, mainly in view of the role of money, muscles and caste factors in the elections. Inclusivity or mainstreaming of marginalized communities, groups and regions, a mandate of the 12-point understanding signed between the then Seven-Party Alliance and the Maoist rebels in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) signed in 2006, the Interim Constitution and TOR documents of the ‘revolution’, was another factor behind a switch to the mixed system.

Discourse during statute-drafting: As a member of the then Constituent Assembly (CA) and one of the active members of the Constitution Drafting Committee, let me recall that there was a hot debate and interactive discussion on the electoral system, and a general agreement in the end that continuing with the FPTP system as the sole electoral system was neither possible nor appropriate. So, the main focus and stress was on the ratio of FPTP and the PR system, though some members sought the FPTP system while some others sought the PR system and not a mix of both. Initially, the PR percentage was 60, which was reduced to 40 percent in the present Constitution.

Positions of political parties: Back then, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML were for giving more weightage to the FPTP system, whereas the Maoists and Madhes-based parties were for giving more weightage to the PR system. With different arguments and counter-arguments coming, it was a very hot, hard and sometimes unfriendly conversation.

A compromise formula: The present mixed system is a compromise between two schools of thoughts, a marriage between modernity and traditionality, that is, a marriage between inclusive and participatory democracy, and formal democracy (representing a handful of people). Back then, the electoral system was one of the core issues of contention and it was resolved at the last moment of Constitution promulgation.

Causes of instability: The politicians rooting for the elimination of the PR system are trying to convince the people that the PR system is the main cause behind a frequent change of guard. But does this logic hold water? In fact, it’s a false statement and a false premise as the history of governance in Nepal shows along with the history of other countries with similar experiences. 

Let’s look at the contemporary history of Nepal to shed more light on this topic. 

In the general elections held after the restoration of multiparty democracy with constitutional monarchy in 1990 under the FPTP system, the Nepali Congress won a resounding mandate to form a government. But his government collapsed in July 1994, barely three years after its formation as it failed to get a vote in the Parliament regarding the budget, pushing the country into midterm elections. 

History repeated itself as the KP Sharma Oli-led majority government, installed on the basis of the mixed electoral system and supposed to rule for a full five years, collapsed toward the end of July, 2016, hardly nine months after its formation, following the breakup of the coalition.

These examples show that the electoral system has not much to do with the stability of a government or a lack thereof. Rather, stability or instability is a political issue, not necessarily a function of the electoral system. It has more to do with factors like the political leadership of the day, government’s performance and good governance and far less to do with the electoral system. 

The perils and the way forward: Calls for doing away with the mixed system are coming from some short-sighted leaders of big political parties. The ongoing debate over the electoral system is welcome, but the prescription for doing away with the PR system is extremely bad.

Doing away with the PR system, especially with regard to the elections for the House of Representatives, may be counterproductive and may cause political conflict and instability because it is an emotive issue connected with inclusivity and mainstreaming in a multicultural, multiracial, multilingual and multi-geographic country whether class, race, region and gender-related oppression and discrimination persist, among others. An inclusive state is the demand of the time and so is an  inclusive Parliament. Therefore, the PR system must continue. However, it is very important to eliminate the role of money and favoritism in the selection of candidates under the PR system, for which serious discussions are necessary. 

Views are personal. The author can be reached at [email protected]

Their faces look exhausted from hunger, thirst and lack of sleep. Blisters have formed on their soles, and they can barely stand. Yet a group of ordinary citizens has walked all the way to Kathmandu for 25 days from Madhes, carrying empty buckets on their heads.

Battling the rains, spending nights on the streets and struggling against, 25 people from Madhes have come to Kathmandu to draw the attention of the authorities toward the drying up of water sources due to exploitation of Chure. At the call of Nepal River and Forest Conservation Campaign these people began their march from Bhardaha in Saptari through Bardibas of Mahottari, Hetauda, and Narayanghat to Kathmandu to draw the government’s attention for ending Chure exploitation.

There have even been instances where those protesting against Chure exploitation were attacked and killed by unscrupulous people exploiting natural resources. Four years ago, river activist Dilip (Omprakash) Mahato was murdered by people unlawfully extracting sand. Due to such incidents, many people are afraid to protest. The victims say people operating crusher plants threaten dissenters that they will also meet the fate of Dilip Kumar.

‘No water to quench our thirst’

Sangita Devi Sada’s home in Matiarwa in Lahan Municipality-2, Siraha, is at the foot of the Chure hills. Her family of six sustains itself on daily wages. A few greedy people are extracting river materials, causing the entire village to suffer the consequences, she shared. “The crusher operators are mining the rivers dry. First, the rivers dried up. Then the water vanished from our ponds,” Sangita said. “Now there isn’t even enough water in the village to quench our thirst. Without water, how can we grow crops?”

Until two decades ago, the rivers and streams in Sangita’s village would flow year round. But for the last two years, as soon as the dry season arrives, they struggle even for drinking water. 

“These unscrupulous people have turned the hills, rivers and streams into barren land through excessive extraction,” she lamented. “First, the ponds dried up. The springs went dry next, and water levels in wells depleted. Now, the river itself has dried up.”

Should people go in search of water to quench their thirst or seek employment to satisfy their hunger? This dilemma has entrapped the disadvantaged and marginalized families of Sangita and others like them. Not just her, but 6.12m people in the Madhes province are suffering from problems arising due to the exploitation of Chure. “As the local government, police, administration and leaders all seem to be siding with the Chure exploiters, people like Sangita from Madhes have come to Kathmandu to plead with the central government,” said Sunil Yadav, chairperson of the campaign.

This is the first time that Sangita has undertaken such an arduous journey in her life. On reaching the Maitighar Mandala last week, she shared her near-death experience. “Our ancestors never had to undertake such a huge march of suffering just for water. I cannot imagine what lies in store for the coming generations,” she said. “My feet are covered in blisters. I can barely walk. Whom do I share this suffering with? Who will listen to us?”

Even the Kamala River is drying up

The government has launched a national pride program for the conservation of Chure. But the program has failed to achieve targeted goals. The President Tarai Madhes River Conservation Development Project has been running for over a decade, with billions spent. However, the water reservoirs formed by rivers are depleting due to rampant illegal mining and encroachment.

Caught in this quagmire is Sonabatti Mukhiya (70) of Kanchanrup Municipality-7 in Dhanusa. At an age when she should be resting, she has walked hundreds of kilometers from rural Madhes to Kathmandu in search of water. This is her first time seeing Kathmandu.

Sonabatti is worried that the Kamala River, which flowed year-round in the past, is now drying up. “The perennially flowing Kamala River has started drying up. It is becoming unrecognizable,” she said. “They are bringing huge tippers and excavators to extract sand and boulders at night. The police just watch. They are all hand-in-glove. If this is not stopped, the Kamala River will soon vanish without a trace.”

Where has the water disappeared?

Wells, ponds, and lakes are drying up. Since last year, even rivers and streams have started drying up. Tankers are supplying water to the villages, say the victims.

“How do we survive now?” lamented Maina Devi Sada (45) of Matiarwa in Lahan Municipality-2, Siraha. “We only hear the swishing sound in the handpump in our courtyards. Where has the water disappeared?”

After the handpumps dried up, new taps were installed in homes. But these taps trickle only in the mornings and evenings, shared Mainadevi. “How do we quench our thirst? It seems both food and water will become scarce. What is the government doing?” she questioned. “How do we cook? How do we feed our children? How do we bathe ourselves and the cattle?”

Chure expert Dr Bijaya Kumar Singh said groundwater in Madhes isn't getting recharged due to Chure exploitation.

With rivers and streams drying up, people have not been able to irrigate their farmland. The green paddy fields swaying in the breeze now lie barren. “The streams have dried up so much that when someone in the village dies, there is not even a drop of water for cremation rituals,” Mainadevi added.

Amphibians represent a diverse array of creatures that have captivated the interest of both scientists and nature enthusiasts. Renowned for their extraordinary ability to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, examples of amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. According to the 2024 Amphibia web database, there are a staggering 8,737 species of amphibians worldwide. In Nepal, as outlined in ‘An Updated Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal’, the amphibian fauna comprises 57 species spread across 22 genera, eight families, and three orders, with Nepal hosting 55 frog species, one salamander species, and one caecilian species.

In Nepal, amphibians are least studied creatures due to conservation efforts tend to prioritize furry and and feathery vertebrate species, such as tigers, snow leopards, and rhinos.This is because amphibians  are not considered charismatic enough to receive the same level of attention and conservation focus.  As a consequence of this bias in conservation focus, there is limited knowledge shared among people about small species like frogs, salamanders and caecilians.There are only very few organizations working in such species in Nepal to popularize them like Nepal Conservation and Research Center (NCRC), Biodiversity Research and Conservation Society (BRCS) and Environment Protection and Study Center (ENPROSC).

NCRC is working in the ‘Himalayan Frogs Conservation Initiative in Nepal’, ‘Lowland frogs of Nepal’ and collaboratively with BRCS in ‘Himalayan Salamander Conservation Project’. Similarly, ENPROSC is working on the ‘Croaking Monsoon Project’ which is the citizen science approach to explore the ecology of frogs throughout Nepal. Sadly, due to lack of funding only little ecology of these amphibians are studied but the behavior, reproductive biology and genetics of the creatures are poorly known.

These remarkable creatures play vital roles within ecosystems, serving as both predators, which help regulate populations of insects and other small invertebrates, and as essential food sources for larger predators. By occupying various niches within food webs, amphibians contribute significantly to the equilibrium and stability of ecosystems.

For the rest of the world, worshiping frogs sounds bizarre, but the native inhabitants (Newars) of Kathmandu, Nepal have been following the ritual for many decades. The tradition has been named ‘Byan: jaa nakegu’ meaning to feed rice to frogs. The exact answer is unknown why people continue to feed and worship frogs. Whatever the initial reasons and stories might be, many believe the rituals of feeding and worshiping frogs reminds people of their connection with nature.Similarly, the people of Nepal perform marriage ceremonies of frogs if there is long drought in the belief that their marriage will bring the rain.

Moreover,frogs locally called as Paha are also collected and  consumed in Nepal. The collection is primarily for food use and secondarily preferred as medicinal forms, and utilized by many ethnic groups like Magar, Rai, Gurung, Jirel, etc. in different parts of the country. In context, caecilian people immediately kill them after seeing them thinking they are venomous snakes.

In addition to this, Himalayan Salamander in eastern Nepal is facing multiple threats such as introduction of exotic fishes in its habitats, modification of its habitat into picnic or recreational sites. Such local extirpation will make us lose an order from Nepal.

Herpetologist Bivek Gautam explains that studying salamanders and caecilians presents numerous challenges. Due to their small size, these creatures often go unnoticed by people, making it difficult to conduct fieldwork and raise awareness about these fascinating species.

Similarly, herpetologist Santosh Bhattarai says that amphibians are encountering several challenges, including habitat loss, water pollution, and the unregulated use of chemicals in agriculture. Additionally, illegal trade and hunting pose significant threats. Furthermore, he added, the lack of research on amphibians in Nepal is concerning, as it increases the risk of extinction before their proper documentation and identification.

Observing this scenario, ‘Amphibian Week’ was celebrated on May 9 with students from the New Ekta English Boarding School in the Madhes, aimed at raising awareness about amphibians. The program was attended by 55 students. The event included presentations, demonstrations of research techniques and tools, documentary screenings, and poster distributions, all designed to inspire and motivate conservation efforts for amphibians within their locality. This initiative received support from organizations such as the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, Nepal Conservation and Research Center, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Society, and SAVE THE FROGS.

In conclusion, amphibians possess remarkable characteristics, including unique life cycles and adaptations, and they fulfill crucial roles within ecosystems while also serving as indicators of environmental health. Therefore, safeguarding and conserving their habitats are imperative for their survival and the overall well-being of the ecosystems they inhabit. Let us unite at the community level to contribute to amphibian conservation efforts.