Climate Change: Some Policies for Nepal (Myrepublica 2012)

Climate Change:  Some Policies for Nepal

Dr. Ambika Prasad Adhikari

Introduction

Many scientists consider climate change to be the most important environmental problem of this century.  Although some controversy lingers about the extent of anthropogenic contribution to global warming, most experts agree that due to the increased greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, earth’s average temperature is gradually rising and the ensuing climate change is causing significant negative impact on the environment and human population. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report 2007 states that “warming of the climate system is unequivocal”.

Although Nepal is an insignificant emitter of global carbon, it is burdened by a disproportionately high degree of vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change.  Nepal’s exposures include the possibilities of increased GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) phenomenon, the melting of snow-peaked mountains, decrease in agricultural production, increase in vector borne diseases, loss of important bio-diversity assets, and change in the hydrological cycles and the resulting precipitation effects.  Given her limited financial resources, and a weak institutional capacity, the changing climate will likely reduce Nepal’s GDP, increase the society’s disease burden, and cause additional human deaths.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) Emissions and Carbon Sequestration in Nepal

Most GHG emissions in Nepal result from the activities related to transportation, manufacturing and agriculture.  In addition, the massive deforestation that the country witnessed from the 60’s to the 90’s released a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere.  However, lately, Nepal has been able to reduce the rate of deforestation, and in fact, in some cases actually increase the area of forest cover, thanks largely to the successful and innovative community forestry program, and aggressive efforts by Nepal government to protect and conserve forested areas. According to a joint ADB and ICIMOD report, between 1996 and 2000, Nepal’s forest cover increased from 6.2 million hectares to 6.8 million hectares.  This replenished forest area has provided additional carbon sink for sequestering a significant amount of carbon which otherwise would have been emitted to the atmosphere.

Potential Impacts of Climate Change in Nepal

The impacts of climate change on the environment, infrastructure, agriculture and society manifest gradually, similar to the long-term impacts of population growth on the environment.  Further, the impacts of climate change on the environment can remain indiscernible for several years.  They become cumulatively exacerbated over time.  Because of this subtle and often unnoticed effect, arresting climate change is a challenge for cash strapped governments which have difficulties in justifying it as a priority.  Consequently, the Nepali government is unable to formulate effective policies to control GHG emissions and to adapt to the effects of climate change.  The gradual and long-term adverse impacts fail to grab urgent attention when immediate problems including security, health, education, water supply, and localized pollution are highly visible and demand immediate action.  This is ironic, as the poor countries are more vulnerable and susceptible to the negative impacts of the climate change compared to more developed economies, as the poor nations have weaker institutional and managerial capacity and lack adequate financial resources to organize effective adaptation programs.

Climate change will adversely affect several sectors in Nepal.  Nepal’s farmers will more immediately feel the adverse impacts on agriculture sector, such decreased land productivity and crop yields.  A potential change in the hydrological cycle, for example, an early or late rain fall season, changes in the irrigation pattern and water supply and the changes in pollination and fertilization seasons, and natural biological cycle, can adversely affect the routine agricultural practices that farmers have perfected over the centuries. 

Another area of concern where climate change is likely to negatively affect Nepal is public health through various processes.  Other negative impacts include more frequent flooding, change in weather patterns, and increase in the intensity and frequency of landslides and storms.

GHG Mitigating Strategies and Public Policies

Nepal’s total annual carbon dioxide emission is estimated to be around 40 million metric tons (World Bank 2006), which is about 0.1 percent of the global emissions.  Given the globally insignificant GHG emission in Nepal, its emission reduction programs will remain as mainly “feel good” policies. However, Nepal can effectively contribute towards sequestration of atmospheric carbon by drastically accelerating afforestation efforts, and by optimizing land use policies and improving agricultural practices.  The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) a UN supported program being undertaken by the Ministry of Forest in Nepal, in consort with multiple donors, is an encouraging example of reducing emissions. REDD programs works by providing incentives to local residents for the value they put in live forest that stores carbon, which would otherwise be released if the forest is cut, burnt or allowed to decay.

As a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, Nepal can earn Carbon credits through the CDM  (Clean Development Mechanism) window, as Kyoto remains in after being extended in Durban in 2011.  It can sell them as Certified Emission Reductions (CER’s) to the rich countries which cannot meet their own carbon reduction levels.  The resources generated through these programs could be effectively utilized for adaptation programs. For example, since 2006, Nepal has successfully utilized CDM carbon reduction credits through bio-gas support projects.  This is an excellent example of the potential financial gains Nepal can achieve while developing clean domestic technology.

Some Possible Adaptation Policies

Because the GHG’s linger in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, the atmospheric carbon concentration will continue to increase even if the world immediately begins to drastically reduce its carbon emission.  Consequently, an amplified climate change is inevitable, and adaptation measures become imperative to safeguard societies from the many negative effects.  Many locations in Nepal are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  These areas include the high altitude settlements, downstream agricultural lands, villages immediately below glacial lakes and settlements near lakes and rivers.  To safeguard against drastic climate impacts, government and other institutions must establish adaptation measures and develop a hierarchy of adaptation approaches.

The so called “no regrets policies” can be incorporated into the menu of adaptive measures the governments can formulate.  Such policies can include adopting cleaner technologies and investing in research and technology innovation. If these policies are implemented, the net investment cost on climate related technologies can become zero if the medical, social, and environmental benefits of the changes are accounted for.  Similarly, the “precautionary principle” also recommends the adoption of certain policies even if the actual climatic impacts remain uncertain. As Nepal has poor and scant data related to climate change, policies based on precautionary principles are particularly well suited.

Nepal’s fragile eco-system can suffer significant damage due to the added impacts of climate change in addition to the existing environmental stressors. Climate change can negatively affect the economic system due to loss in agricultural productivity, damage to physical infrastructure and cost of relocation for people. Governmental policies must include building public health capacities in a decentralized manner, creating a public awareness system to educate people of the possible epidemics, and establishing research and other activities to address such public health problems.

Nepal can consider several policy options to mitigate climatic impacts on agriculture.  Such policies can include creating crop insurance, changing of crop planting patterns, and providing irrigation facilities.  Public policy should also support furthering research on how crops can resist changes in hydrological cycle and increase in ambient temperature and temporal shift in growing season.

Nepal should also build on the age-old farming practices that the indigenous farmers have perfected over time.  The indigenous practices provide resilience and fall-back mechanisms to cope with the changing weather cycle.  Research on indigenous farming system and integrating them to the modern agricultural practices will be useful for developing appropriate adaptation mechanism for Nepali agriculture.  A hybrid system that selects the best and most suitable aspects of modern mechanized farming and the indigenous technology of farming may work best in Nepal. 

It is also imperative for Nepal to invest resources in education and information dissemination related to the greenhouse gases, climate change and related mitigation and adaptation techniques and programs.  As a highly vulnerable, largely mountainous, and primarily an agrarian society, Nepal must be proactive in enhancing its institutional and social capacity to deal with the gradual threat emanating from climate change.

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The author is an urban and regional planner and a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, USA.

Ambika P. Adhikari interview by Kantipur 2007

INTERVIEW WITH Dr AMBIKA PRASAD ADHIKARI

Holding prestigious positions in the field of architecture, urban planning and environmental policy, Dr Ambika Prasad Adhikari, 55, has worked in numerous countries as an urban planner, environmental consultant and teacher, and also training a whole new generation of planners, environmentalists, and architects over the past three decades. Currently, he is a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA.  Dr. Adhikari was born in the remote eastern district of Bhojpur and is the first Nepali to gain a Ph. D. from Harvard University in USA. He is also a Planner and Project Manager at the City of Phoenix, Arizona.  A former IUCN country representative for Nepal (he was the first Nepali to be appointed to the post through a global search), Dr. Adhikari was recently in Kathmandu to attend the Third NRN Conference. He took some time out from his packed schedule to talk to ekantipur Editor Akhilesh Tripathi on different issues involving the NRNs. Excerpts:

Q. Dr. Adhikari, could you please tell us briefly about your childhood early education, and career?

Dr. Adhikari: I was born in Yaku, Bhojpur in 1952. I did my early schooling in Dharan, actually starting from the fifth grade, and then obtained my I. Sc. in 1969 from Morang College, Biratnagar standing first in the country. Subsequently, I went to India on Colombo Plan to study architectural engineering at the M.S. University of Baroda, Gujarat, where I passed in first division. In 1975 I returned to Nepal and started to work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University. I taught there for a long period of time where I was promoted to a Lecturer and eventually to a Reader. In between I went to an East-West centre scholarship to University of Hawaii from 1978 to 1982. in Hawaii I got my Master’s degree in architecture and also in urban planning.

I came back to IOE, Tribhuvan University and became the Project Architect for the Western Region Campus in Pokhara. That project was supported by the World Bank, ILO, UNDP and a number of other institutions. And it was a very interesting exercise for me to manage the design and construction aspects of a US$ 17 million project—and simultaneously teach architecture, civil engineering and urban planning. Subsequently, I became the Interim Project Coordinator for the project in Pokhara. That was an excellent experience. I traveled around the country, and worked with numerous people. I also published many articles in The Rising Nepal; Kantipur was not even born then. In 1986, I went to MIT as a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow. I was there for a year and then in 1987 I joined Harvard University to do my PhD which I completed in 1991.

Q. You were doing quite well in Nepal. What was the push factor that made you leave the country? What was the turning point?

Dr Adhikari: Akhilesh ji, I, in some ways haven’t actually left the country. I have always been in like a nomad, working on both sides. I have gained and have also lost working on both sides.  If I had settled in the US all the time or if I had worked in Nepal permanently, I probably would have been in a better position in either of the places.

Q. What was the purpose of your recent visit—the NRN conference or Dashain? 

Dr Adhikari: It was both. The NRN conference is designed in such way that most of the Nepalese people can come back to Nepal. Both for NRN and also to do Dashain and Tihar. So it was actually both for me. My first priority was NRN, and  I remained on leave on Dashain visiting family and friends.

Q. How often do you visit the country?

Dr Adhikari: I come here almost every year.

Q. How do you rate the third NRN conference in terms of success?

Dr Adhikari: I think it was absolutely successful. I think it was more successful than I imagined. There was support from all the political parties and the civil society. The prime minister even said in his speech that he was supportive of dual nationality, which is one of the major demands of the NRN. The convention was very well attended with more than 400 NRNs participating actively. Many people had interest in coming to the NRN leadership, demonstrating the attractiveness of the positions. They were also quite a few changes in the leadership, while the president remained the same by popular demand (laughs). Several receptions were given to us by different political parties and civil society, banks and businesses. There was plenty of positive interaction between the NRNs and the residential Nepalese communities. So I would rate the convention as highly successful.

Q. How do you see the overall NRN movement and the government's response so far?

Dr Adhikari: Okay, Akhileshji as you know the NRN movement is new. Nepalis have been NRNs for a long period of time, as we've been Gorkha soldiers, and the people who go to work as labourers, and who go to India.  These are all traditional NRN activities. But the organized NRN movement in the modern sense of the term is just about five years old. And within five years the momentum has drastically strengthned. So the NRN movement has been very successful in a short span of time. There are three of four different categories of NRNs – professionals, students, laborers and entrepreneurs, they are all within the umbrella of NRN. A large number of Nepalis, almost two million people live outside Nepal, constituting the Diaspora.

The government was a little lukewarm in the beginning of the NRN movement. The NRNs had to go to the government offices and the party offices to get things done. The situation ahs changed. This year there was so much interest in the NRN that the political parties, government, and business people took time to come to the NRN meetings. The interest is not only from the NRN side to see government support. It's also from the government, civil society and the political parties to bring the NRN into their fold and to have a positive interaction with them. So the interest now is mutual. I think the cooperation between the government and NRNs has dramatically increased.

Q. What more does the government need to do?

Dr. Adhikari: Well, the biggest demand from our side, which I think would be beneficial to both sides, is dual nationality. Because due to better opportunities, and job requirements many people have taken foreign citizenships in Europe, in the Americas, in Australia and other places. The first, second and even third generation Nepalis living abroad want to come to Nepal during occasions like Dashain, Tihar etc. and they want to be with their families. It doesn’t feel good to be on the lines of a foreigner to get a visa to visits one’s homeland. Also, not to be able to buy property and to live here as Nepalis when they want to come back, discourages many in the Diaspora. Further, a large chunk of the NRNs, tens of thousands of them, in the rich countries are also now in the retirement phase. They do want to come to Nepal, either permanently or at least wish to spend half their time in Nepal. Many other countries have accepted and allowed dual nationality. Dual nationality is our biggest demand but I know that even if the Prime Minister speaks in favour of dual nationality, its implementation may take a long time. We request everyone concerned to expedite that process, with the assurance that it will be beneficial to both sides.

Q. What is the situation like in our neighbouring countries? How do you compare the roles played by the governments of our neigbouring countries for their Diaspora with that of our government?

Dr Adhikari: Nepal government has, of course, been slow, partly because we too have been slow. As I mentioned earlier, although the NRNs have been there for a long period of time, the organized movement is very recent. Compared to that, in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan the non-resident national’s movement is 20-30 years old. They are much better established and they have been mobilizing their support for dual nationality for a long time. One of the last countries to allow dual nationality was India which. Many other countries had allowed dual nationality earlier on. The strength of their movement, and the realization of their governments were much quicker than ours. In many ways, we are behind, but I think given our late start, we are doing alright.

Q. Dr Adhikari, what would be your pragmatic assessment of the real potential of the NRNs? What are the core areas where they can contribute significantly? 

Dr. Adhikari: Akhilesh ji, that’s a very good question. The NRNs, I can say right now, cannot do the heavy lifting required for the economic development in Nepal; it has to come from within the country. The development engine has to move from within Nepal. Nepal is a country with many opportunities, a lot of resources, and there are lots of educated, smart people here. The NRNs will definitely support in a very positive manner. But from a pragmatic point of view, the NRNs are not that rich right now, compared to, let’s say, the NRIs or the non-resident Chinese. As you know, the non-resident Indians and Chinese have played a critical and vital role in foreign direct investment and also in the overall economic development of those two countries.

The NRNs do not have that kind of clout currently. We are reasonably established but not financially strong. But if you talk about the academic, intellectual and professional aspects, given the size of our country, I think we are doing extremely well. For example,  there’s a Nepali Vice-President in the Asian Development Bank. There is a Nepali Assistant Secretary General in the UN. Nepalis occupy many top positions in several international organizations and companies. Nepalis have become senior executives in large companies in the USA, Canada, Europe and many other parts of the world. There are many Nepali professors in reputed universities across the world. There are many highly-paid Nepali IT professionals. In my opinion, Nepali IT professionals are second only to Indians. That’s a big resource. So given all this, I think NRNs do have a lot of potential. They can contribute in Nepal’s development; they can come here for a short period of time and can make intellectual investment. They can be connected and they can lobby outside. There’re many things they can do to help Nepal.

Q. The intellectual capital that the NRNs have is definitely an important factor. What do you suggest for the best utilization of this intellectual capital?

Dr Adhikari: That’s a good question again. Some of the work is already happening. There are lots of Nepali professors who are already working in Nepal. Some of them have come as Fulbright Professors from the USA. Some have arrived from other countries like the UK, Australia, Canada and Europe. But so far, they have not come under the umbrella of the NRN just because the NRN movement was not that well-organized. Now many of them will be coming within the cover of the NRN. So you will see a much more concerted and consolidated effort from our side. 

Secondly, now many Nepalis are well-established intellectually and academically. They can do well for Nepal. For example, in the US, there’s a Nepal Study Centre within the University of New Mexico. Many of us are involved in that-- Professor Alok Bohara is the director, while myself, Professor Mukti Upadhyay, Prof. Gaury Adhikary and many others are involved in it. The Center is doing serious research on Nepal. Every year, many scholars participate in the South Asia seminar in Wisconsin and spend one whole day deliberating on Nepali issues and present very high quality papers. Some 40 people from all across the US and also from Nepal and outside gathered this year. That is also now being connected to what is happening in Nepal. Many of the policy issues are already being deliberated. The Center also publishes Liberal Democracy Nepal Bulletin and Himalayan Journal of Development and Democracy that focus on Nepal’s politics and development. There are many other journals and publications in the US, Australia and Europe.

What we need I think is a very strong connection between Nepal and such centers. This will help in creating breakthroughs in many fields.  For example, Nepal is experiencing limited resources the fields of medicine, engineering and technology and basic sciences. We can build strong connection and nexus between skills outside and the needs in Nepal. It is not only the government that can facilitate it. A lot of civil society and academic leaders can also help bridge the gap.

Q. Don’t you think the government should establish a proper channel to tap the intellectual and capital investment potential of the NRNs? Or is there already such a channel?

Dr Adhikari: Presently, we have a point of contact at the FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries). We have a liaison with the Foreign Ministry also. We have been asking for stronger contacts with many people in this regard. I myself have met many people in the last couple of days, many MPs and former prime ministers and others in this regard.  If, like in India, we, too, can have an NRN Ministry because NRN now is such a big force, there will be so much more resource for Nepal. And it’s not going to be very expensive for Nepal to work on that. If there is an NRN Ministry, that would provide one window opportunity to deal with all NRN issues more holistically. It could be a very small ministry together with another ministry or even just a NRN department for the time being. That would be a solid liaison to carry out all mutual businesses and help prioritize the issues and agendas of the NRNs vis-à-vis the development of Nepal. This is a way in which I think we can function in a mutually advantageous way.

Q. Earlier you mentioned the issue of dual nationality. But there are people in our bureaucracy and political leadership who try to associate some controversies with the issue of dual nationality. What do you have to say?

Dr Adhikari: There should be absolutely no controversy at all about granting dual nationality to overseas Nepalis. Out of the 200 countries in the world, some 90 countries already offer dual nationality. Because citizenship of a country, basically, is for life. Anyone who is a citizen of the US, Canada, Australia, or Nepal or India should always be able to remain a citizen of that country. That is the principle of dual nationality. When people go to rich countries and due to the work requirements, for instance, to work in federal government in USA, they take US citizenship.

Sometimes even for traveling as they work for some international organization or big multinational companies, it is much easier with a US, Australian or Canadian passport. Also to lobby on behalf of Nepal, such as, to talk to the US congressmen, Senators or Canadian Senators and Parliamentarians, such as during the democracy movement in 2007, if you are a citizen you have a much better term to contact them. Otherwise they don't really care for you.

Because of that many people have taken different citizenships and we should not penalize people for that.  The Nepalese citizenship, like most other citizenships, should remain in life. That's how US, Canada and all other countries treat their citizens. There should be no controversy in this topic at all.

In Nepali Citizenship Act there is a provision, that if a Nepali takes a foreign citizenship, then his/her Nepali citizenship is automatically terminated.  We can change that provision and say that it doesn't apply to a list of  countries. I realize that there are a lot of concerns and controversies about dual nationality related to India. We appreciate that because this is very sensitive topic with practical implications.

I think we should apply dual nationality for outside SAARC.  India also has exactly done the same thing because of the sensitivity, and national security. We can say that the following 20 countries or 25 countries, for example, USA, Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Germany, will be exempt from the current provision that a Nepali’s citizenship will be lost by taking the foreign citizenship. It is not giving a Nepali citizenship to a new person, but it is maintaining and allowing a Nepali to retain his/her Nepali citizenship for life. We are asking, let the Nepali people who feel Nepali by birth or by naturalization retain their Nepali citizenship for life because many will be returning.  They will feel at home in Nepal and it is something that many nations have practiced.

Q. In which of the areas is the immediate NRN investment likely to be in a few years?

Dr Adhikari: I'd say think of at least two or three different areas. Of course, tourism.  That's the beginning. By virtue of being outside, you can bring other visitors also. NRNs can make significant investment in tourism sector both financially intellectually.  The Nepalese economy can also be drastically uplifted if we dramatically expand tourism. I'd say about 5 to 10 million tourists every year in the next 10 or 15 years, compared top 400,000/yr that we now have. That should be the plan, which would be the engine to drive the Nepalese economy upward. Nepal will climb at least one step in economic development by virtue of expanded tourism. So we need to build infrastructure, we need to have airlines, hotels, language trainings, roads etc. So that's one area I think.

I know that the government is planning to build an international airport in Tarai. Many NRNs can buy the airport development bonds and support the construction.  Of course, they have been involved in hydro-power also, but the NRNs can do much more than that.  But probably after tourism, the most important sector the NRNs can contribute is education, both higher education and also school education. In higher education, we can even create more demand for medical, engineering and technology and also in management studies. There is a dearth of management graduates in Nepal. Those are the areas we can build, not only for Nepalese but also for the region. For example there could a management school in Kathmandu affiliated to Harvard or another big school. Just like India has. There's nothing better than that for the management sector.  That's something that we can work on.

Q. So far you have focused on other developments. Don't you think the rural area could be included in the process?

Dr Adhikari: The few things that NRNs have done like bridhrashram (old age homes), hydro-power or few other things are already in the rural areas. When I talked about tourism, aviation and education, we must locate them outside Kathmandu. The tourism sector will take care of the rural areas, and I'd also mentioned to you last time that a university is one of the most important elements. The rural areas and tourism and all the other sectors tend t benefit from the immense diversity of Nepal.

Q. What would you like to do to change the face of the capital city?

Dr Adhikari: Akhileshji, Kathmandu should be changed, it is becoming unlivable because of pollution, lack of access for emergency vehicles, and the inability to find and identify locations and houses. Much of Kathmandu is an accident waiting to happen. For example, there is the danger of earthquakes, epidemics, and fires. The way it has developed is the text book example of a badly planned city - and we must change it. (laughs) Change is not going to be very easy because of the demography and influence peddling. I think within the next 5-10 years we must demolish buildings that are illegally and improperly built. All houses must have access to emergency vehicles, with plentiful open places and parks for the residents. In order to make Kathmandu better, we must also have regional planning in the rural areas.

We should have some good urban centers outside Kathmandu so that's the way we have to tackle it. There are lots of qualified professionals but we don't have much time to make these changes. I worked in the urban planning area, worked for one of the largest US cities and have been working on  environmental planning also. Urban planning is something many NRN’s would be happy to plan and implement.

Q. The Nepali Diaspora played a very important role during the Janaandolan last year. How do you see the last one and a half years of political development in Nepal? How optimistic or pessimistic are the Nepalese outside the country?

Dr Adhikari: The Nepali Diaspora also played quite a symbolic role in 1990 to support democracy in Nepal. Again in 2005-06 they played a critical role to prop up the Nepali democratic movement. Because the Diaspora now is big, and the communication was also easy. Things turned out very well, quickly.  Autocracy was dismantled; the new interim constitution was adopted, human right was re-established. So after 2006 April, most of the Diaspora for six to eight months, were very happy. We wrote about How Nepal set a good example, the good leadership of the Nepali people in dismantling autocracy and also bringing insurgents and revolutionaries into the fold.  But lately there is some frustration and pessimism not only in the resident Nepalese people here but also in the Diaspora. Things are not moving very well in the country.

We are extremely disappointed that the constituent assembly polls have been postponed for the second or third time. We wanted to see the elections right away. We are also disappointed by many of the practices that the Maoists have used to stall the peace process.  We do appreciate many of the things the Maoists have done in bringing democracy in Nepal and also in dismantling the autocracy. On the other hand, they should now come and try to win the hearts and minds of the people. I'm personally very optimistic but everyone is not feeling that optimism right now. I think things will settle well in Nepal, I think there are numerous people in the political sector who have done good exercise and eventually I'm sure that the Maoists will also come on board and say that it's in the interest of everyone to have the CA process and CA on time.

Posted on: 2007-10-28 07:21:00

Ambika P. Adhikari Interview by Solidarity Magazine 2008

१)यहाँको जन्मस्थान, हाल रहेको ठेगाना

I was born in Bhojpur Nepal.  Currently I live in Phoenix, USA.

२)पारिवारीक पृष्ठभुमी र शिक्षा ?

Born in a middle class family, I completed my high school from Public High School, Dharan, I.Sc. from Morang College Biratnagar, B.Arch. from M.S. University of Baroda (India), M.Arch. from University of Hawaii, post graduate fellowship from MIT and Ph.D. from Harvard University.

३)यहाँ कहिले प्रवेश गर्नु भयो त्यस ठाँउमा ?

Like a nomad I have routinely moved between Nepal, USA and Canada.  Earlier, I spent five years in India as a student.  Having spent dozens of years in teaching and consulting in Nepal, I have been living in the US since 2000.

४)अहिले त्यस ठाउँमा कतिको सँख्यामा नेपाली रहेको अनुमान छ यहाँलाई ?

No one knows the exact number of Nepalis in the USA, as the statistics change every day.  However, various estimates put the number of Nepalis in the US to be above 200,000 and the Nepali population in the US is growing exponentially. The estimates in Canada put the number of Nepalis there to be between 7 to 10,000.  Like in the US, NRN population in Canada is also experiencing an accelerated growth.

५)त्यस देशका जनताहरुको नेपालीलाई हेर्ने दृष्टीकोण कस्तो पाउनुभएको छ ?

As the lone superpower, the US has always looked at Nepal with keen interest.  I find the American perspective on Nepal shaped by a mixture of awe for its spectacular beauty, interest due to its strategic geopolitical location and as a nation that has shown resilience and flexibility in moving easily from conflict to democracy.

Ever since the 50’s many development experts in the US government viewed Nepal as a unique laboratory to study the impacts of foreign assistance in development.  With generous technical and financial support, the US has left indelible influence in Nepal’s educational, agricultural, administrative and other sectors.

६)कुन-कुन नेपाली उत्पादनको बजारको संभावना छ त्यहाँ ?

The US has provided a big market for Nepali garments, carpet and handicrafts.  Of course, Nepali technical manpower (especially in medicine, high technology and engineering) has also been well utilized in the US.

७)आफ्नो देशमा विदेशी पर्यटक भित्राउन सबै देशमा बस्ने नेपालीले कस्तो भुमिका खेल्नु पर्ला?

The NRNA has been actively supporting Nepal’s “send home a friend” program to help tourism in Nepal.  The Nepalese Americas Council (NAC) as a continental (US and Canada) partner of NRNA has worked to realize the goal of send home a friend program.

Americans and Canadians are among the largest foreigner groups who visit Nepal as tourist.

Additionally, NRN in North America has regularly supported the democratic evolution in Nepal and provided symbolic financial support whenever calamities arise. Nepalese Americas Council (NAC) has been privileged to regularly coordinate NRN support to Nepal both morally and financially.

९)यहाँ आफु संलग्न पेशा वा व्यवशायको प्रकृति कस्तो छ र कत्तिको सन्तुष्टहुनुहुन्छ ?

I am happy to be working here in Urban Planning field both as a practitioner and part time university professor.  The US provides enormous opportunities to fully utilize one’s professional skills.  The job prospects and the facilities for professional growth in the US are the major magnets for attracting professionals from all over the world. However, I do miss the work I did and opportunities I enjoyed in Nepal.  Working is Nepal is more emotionally fulfilling in many other ways. Working in Nepal provides a feeling of contributing to the development of one’s own country, and helping where there is more need.

१०)त्यस देशमा खुलेका नेपालीका कुन-कुन संघसस्थामा आवद्ध हुनुहुन्छ यहाँ ?

Currently, I serve as the president of Nepalese Americas Council (NAC – www.nepalcouncil.org), a coordinating body of more than 28 Nepali associations in US and Canada.  I am also active in local association NAFA, national associations such as ANA, LDN, ASNEngr and several other organizations and associations across the continent.

NAC and its organizational members have remained active to support the democratic and social evolution in Nepal.

११)संघसस्थाका माध्यमबाट क्रियाशील हुँदा कस्तो उपलव्धिको अनुभुति गर्नु हुन्छ ?

When we are far away from Nepal, getting involved in Nepali associations and NRN system is one way to feel connected with Nepal and Nepalis and serve the community here, while helping Nepali cause everywhere.

१२)कुन-कुन समयमा आफ्नो मातृभुमिको याद आउछ यहाँलाई ?

I think of Nepal every day. People like me who leave Nepal in the middle age are always caught between the two worlds – the world of emotion, sentiments and love in Nepal, and the adopted world providing employment, freedom and career opportunities. Even when Nepal may seem to be underdeveloped, poor, and full of problems, that is where love resides for many of us.

१३)नयाँ नेपालको निर्माणमा कस्ता समस्याहरु देखा परेको अनुभूति गर्नु भएको छ र विदेश बस्ने नेपालीहरुको भूमिका अब कस्तो हुनु पर्ला जस्तो लाग्छ ?

Nepal has achieved spectacular success in rapidly instituting democracy, creating a republic, mainstreaming the Maoists and creating more inclusionary polices for minorities, such as Madheshis, Janjatis and Dalits.  However, much needs to be done to stabilize the country and ensuring prosperity for all Nepalis. Every nation is based on core national values, a shared culture and history and a shared vision of the country. 

In my opinion, a nation is not just a utilitarian entity catering to the conveniences of its citizens, but also a higher entity that provides emotional, symbolic and sacred sanctity to the spiritual needs of its citizens. Although a nation should provide for the equality of its citizens and make a happy and prosperous life possible for all, the citizens too should provide an unconditional love and respect for the country. In Nepal, presently, for many groups, there seems to be too much acrimony and anger against many things that represent the core values of the country. I hope this will change.

१४)विदेशमा बस्ने नेपालीहरुलाई उत्प्रेरीत गर्न ऐक्यबद्धता जस्तो पत्रिकाले कस्तो भुमिका खेल्नुपर्छ जस्तो लाग्छ यहाँलाई ?

Your magazine is doing a great service to the NRN to directly connect them to Nepal and Nepali issues. NRN movement, with about two million global populations, is an emerging force for Nepal, and journalism can provide crucial service to cater to their interests and to establish relationship between the Diaspora and Nepal.  I congratulate the Solidarity Magazine for its good work and thank its editor for providing me an opportunity to respond to your questions.

Interview with Ambika P. Adhikari, taken by an Nepali Researcher at a US University

Interview taken with Ambika P. Adhikari by a  Nepali Researcher  (20011)

Name:                                     Ambika Prasad Adhikari

                                               

Living in the U.S. since:        Intermittently since 1986

Profession:                              Urban and Environmental Planner

Academic Degree:                  Doctor of Design (Harvard), Planning Fellowship (MIT), M. Arch. (Hawaii)

Field of study:                        Architecture, Urban and Environmental Planning

Highlights of jobs:

Faculty Associate, Arizona State University

Sr. Planner, SRPMIC, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sr. Project Director, DPRA USA, and DPRA Canada

Country Representative IUCN, Nepal

Associate Professor, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Home city/village in Nepal:

Born in Bhojpur, schooled in Dharan and Biratnagar, and worked in Kathmandu

What factors were instrumental to your success?

Hard work, support from family, friends and university and sheer luck.

What did you miss most of Nepal?

Family, friends, society, respect and identity.  Also, direct opportunities to help the country and society.

What struck you most about America when you arrived?

The level and scale of development, high economic standard, high educational standards, diversity and openness of the society.

Did you find America hospitable?

Yes, as I was in the university setting with many foreign students, I was relatively comfortable.  I did encounter few not so friendly people at times, but by and large my experience has been good.

In hindsight, would you live your life differently?

It is only a hypothetical question. At the time I graduated, perhaps it was best to go back to Nepal, and do something from a significant position.  But no point regretting now.  Life has treated me well.

Any advice to a newcomer to succeed in this country?

Be focused on what you wish to do.  Whether you want to work in the USA, work internationally, or return back to Nepal, your strategies and plans as well as what you study become specialized to fit that plan.

Do you feel you have succeeded? What is your message to the younger generation?

I do not consider myself to be a highly accomplished person.  Accomplishment is relative, and also what one values oneself.  In the US, there are millions of people with high level of education, research experience, publication, management ideas and accomplishments in every field.  May be for Nepal of my times, I was somewhat successful, but the younger generation of Nepalis both in Nepal and elsewhere are highly competitive, smart and much more successful compared to the few highly educated individuals of my time.

How did you achieve a successful career?

I do not consider myself to have reached a high point.  I am reasonably happy where I am as I have a decent job, have been able to work both in Nepal and internationally, and feel reasonably satisfied that I am doing my part for the society, country and the world.

As most of the new generation of Nepalis here in the USA have found out, the key to success is education and hard work.  It is not only a financial reward that defines success, but how decently you manage your life and how much are you able to give back while living honestly.

Me and my cohort’s times were different.  Leaving the country was an exception at that time.  The opportunities for education and professional development were also limited.  Now numerous opportunities are available even in Nepal, and the global and regional opportunities to study, work and live abound.  The Nepali Diaspora has proliferated, making it easy for new generation Nepalis to move to any part of the world more easily. The Diaspora provides them with both psychological courage and physical and advisory support.

We seem to be better off in North America, but looks like our needs keep on growing.  What do you think?

Technological and economic advancement, although designed to lessen the work load, often makes the people even busier.  That is because they produce, consume and discard more.  Hence, in spite of the gains in productivity people work longer hours, and encounter more stress in their jobs and lives.  The simplicity of the agrarian life is lost, for a more urban, sophisticated and consumer oriented life.  This is the norm in the world.  We have lost the stable state and the simplicity of life.  This is the cost of development.  But on the other hand, we have better quality of life due to improved health care, higher education, growing mobility and expansion in the array of choices for our career, life styles and physical comforts.

Are we spending too much time for economic benefits and not enough for family and cultural needs?

That is by and large true.  A vast majority of Nepalis came from relative poverty, and they are worried about their financial future.  Hence many of them are serious about ensuring heir future economic survival.  Unlike the regular Americans, who spend all they have and even the money  they don’t have, Nepalis largely try to save as much as they can, and try to be thrifty.

Does being Nepali provide us competitive advantage over other minorities in the USA?

I find that most recent immigrants in the US do well financially and academically.  Nepalis are no exception.  Perhaps, Nepalis are doing better than some other new immigrant groups, because of their culture of education and motivation to succeed.  Further, so far the majority of the Nepalis in the US came from middle class background, with excellent early education and family support.  Once the group becomes more normalized, we are likely to see that they blend in the ranks of successes, failures and in between.  Nepalis have taken Indian and Chinese migrants as their model.  These two groups are perhaps, the most successful immigrants in the USA in the past few decades.

How do you rate the quality of education in the U.S.? How is it different than Nepal’s education system?

The higher education in the USA is the best in the world as the country boasts of having most of the top 100 universities of the world.  The school education, however, is mixed.  It is good in the sense that it promotes creativity.  But there have been criticisms that the school education lacks the solid foundation in math and science that schools in countries like India, China, Singapore, and Korea impart to their students.  Some Nepali parents also complain about the lack of discipline in the school system here.  But in balance, I think, the schools encourage independence, learning and creativity.

Nepal has a homogenous culture.  How does a Nepali fit in the pluralistic America?

In fact the culture in Nepal is also heterogeneous, although sometimes we do not want to accept it.  I believe that in today’s globalizing world, it is better to be educated in a heterogeneous and multicultural environment.  That teaches acceptance, tolerance and a wider perspective on life.  Such education is a requirement in the rapidly changing world.  The US education in fact, helps foster the required skills to work in a multicultural environment.

Is there a cultural divide between Nepali parents in kids in the US?

This is an inherent conflict in the lives of the first generation immigrant families.  The kids can not be controlled much, and too much control and forcing them to comply with the values and customs of the parents can be counterproductive.  However, there should ideally, be a balance, that some values, cultural traits and norms of the mother country should be retained.  The parents are in an unenviable situation in this regard.

How would you think the small minority like us would fit into the American culture or life?

America is a melting pot and a nation of immigrants.  If we take this perspective, everyone fits the American mold and our own names and identities are just fine.  When people chose to leave their homelands, and come to the shores of the USA, they must be prepared for some changes; trade offs, and sacrifices for a better life.  Being a minority and adjusting like a minority is one of them. However, with a proper attitude, one can fully realize one’s potential in this country.

American dream is well known and people here believe they can dream anything. Have you also been dreaming since you are also part of this culture now?

Personally, I find it difficult to let go of my Nepali roots, and psychology.   I have seen that most of the new generation Nepali adapt to the US environment much better than I am able to do.  May be it depends on at what age you come here, and how practical you are.  I have seen numerous Nepali, especially the more recent immigrants, realizing their American dreams.

How do you compare Nepali and American culture?

There are many good aspects of the American culture:  independence, hard work, education, motivation to succeed, and make money, giving to charity, open mind, friendliness are among them.  However, the drug culture of the youth, the ubiquitous crime, unchecked materialism and the nation’s aggressive foreign policies are some negative traits here.

What does education mean in the US – a license, life skill, factor of class mobility, knowledge?

All of the above.  Education is the key everywhere in the world today.  Much more so here.  Although to make a decent living, you may choice to hone on your skills rather than go to college.  That is perfectly fine too, because there is a respect for labor in the USA.

How does the wide and extensive education help a person to compete in specialized job market?

Obtaining a wide perspective is true education.  Technical skills alone do not fulfill one’s educational needs.  Hence, the American education to provide an exposure to the wide range of subject matters is a positive trait.  However, fro highly technical skills, one must be an expert in that area, and one can not afford to dilute one’s technical abilities.

Some believe American students are remarkably limited in their knowledge of science. What do you think?

I have heard that there is a tendency in many schools to forgo hard subjects and science and math.  But such things are cyclic here, and I believe the market will quickly correct these supply demand aberrations.

Some Nepali students who come to the US later drop out of college? What do you think?

I did not know that a sizable number is dropping out.  If they are doing that, it is not the best thing to do.  Although, I have articulated earlier that one can make a decent living through any skills in many trades such as a plumber, electricians, tile layer, construction worker, health assistant, truck driver, landscaper and many other vocations.  In fact, all sorts of services are required in a society, not all can or need to have Ph. D.’s.

What do you think of the opportunity to go to Harvard?

Dozens of Nepalis have been to Harvard and similar institutions here in the USA.  So it is not a big deal by itself.  More important is how do you utilize your education, and what do you accomplish in life.  My accomplishments are not spectacular, and many other Nepalis who went to other schools here have done much better financially and professionally.  So, in retrospect, although I am happy that I went to Harvard, I do not make it the central thing in my life.

Do we learn bad eating and habits and gravitate towards sedentary life in the US?

With a longer life span, it is only natural to encounter more diseases.  So a long life has both sides.  However, it is a human desire to live as long as possible, and deal with the related health issues. There are cost, benefits and trade-offs of becoming an immigrant to a new land.

How do we raise children in the US? Are they better educated in Nepal?

We should try, as much as we can to let them make their decision about life, while giving them guidance that we believe is right. Sending kids to Nepal for education is an individual decision. Many Indians are doing it, and there are both costs and benefits to it, in my opinion.

How do you compare public and private schools in the US?

This is an individual choice and depends on their finances.  In my opinion, the public school system in the US is quite good in the vast majority of cases.

How do you want to be connected to Nepal?

 I and many of my Nepali colleagues are intimately involved in Nepal’s events psychologically and as much as possible physically.  For those of us, who came here in the middle ages, we will always remain a Nepali at heart, and Nepal will never be far away from our thoughts.

People are leaving Nepal in droves? What are the implications?

Life always finds a workable equilibrium given supply, demand and availability of opportunities.  I do think that in a few years from today, some Nepalis will return, and many in Nepal will decide to stay put in Nepal and come out only fro education.  Once the Nepali situation stabilizes, and economy takes the upwards trend like in China and India, there will be no place sweeter than home for most Nepalis.

Any message to Nepali immigrants?

It is an individual’s decision to live where one wants within their means and abilities.  Nepal needs the good will, support and help of every Nepali whether inside Nepal or outside.  A democratic, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Nepal is good for all Nepalis including the Diaspora.  My message to all Nepali brothers and sisters is to keep that idea in mind in whatever we do, no matter where we live.