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TRANSCRIPT
A report on
Sagarmatha National Sambaad 2020
Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity
9 February 2020
Hotel Yak & Yeti
Kathmandu
Nepal
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Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Objective .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Opening Session ....................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Thematic Parallel Sessions ........................................................................................................................ 5
3.1. Adaptation, Resilience, and Livelihoods ......................................................................................... 6
3.2. Green Economy and Energy ............................................................................................................ 7
3.3. Transformational Solutions .............................................................................................................. 9
3.4. Global Partnership and Regional Cooperation ............................................................................... 10
4. Plenary Session: Ambition for 1.5 degree Celsius: Urgency for Action in Mountains and Beyond –
Way Forward for the Future of Humanity ............................................................................................... 11
5. Closing Session ....................................................................................................................................... 13
6. Annex ...................................................................................................................................................... 14
Acronyms
CNI Confederation of Nepalese Industries
CoP Conference of Parties
CPA Commercial Pocket Approach
FNCCI Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
GCF Green Climate Fund
GHG Greenhouse Gas
HIMAP Hindu Kush Himalaya Monitoring and Assessment Programme
HKH Hindu Kush Himalaya
ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
IDS Integrated Development Society
LAPA Local Adaptation Plan of Action
LDCs Least Developed Countries
LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas
MOFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFE Ministry of Forests and Environment
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MUS Multiple-Use Water System
NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action
NAST Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
NDC Nationally Determined Contributions
SIAS Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS)
UN United Nations
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Rapporteurs
Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE)
Dr Keshab Gautam, Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE)
Srijana Bhusal, Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE)
Hari Laudari, Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE)
Bishnu Prasad Gautam, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)
Sabita Nakarmi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)
Rachana Upadhyaya, Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS)
Dr Amina Maharjan, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Dr Sunita Chaudhary, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Prepared by
Dr Sunita Chaudhary, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Edited by
Shanuj VC, Consultant Editor, ICIMOD
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1. Introduction
1.1.Background
Climate change has emerged as an existential global issue in the Anthropocene, posing
serious threats to both humankind and nature. The temperature rise, changing precipitation
patterns, melting icecaps and glaciers, and rising sea levels are some of the established changes
that are significantly impacting the natural and human systems across the globe. This is of
particular concern for least developed countries (LDCs) like Nepal, which is already
experiencing the impacts of climate change. Glacier melting and changes in the amount and
timing of precipitation have been becoming more prominent over the years with profound
impacts on food, agriculture,and hydropower, as well as society as a whole. Climate change is
not only jeopardizing the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, but also
contributing to reverse the development gains, rendering millions of the poor to the brink of
further marginalization. However, climate change also brings in opportunities for new
investments and rethinking the models of development. These opportunities need to be tapped;as
such, there is a need for a transformational strategy that draws on new technologies, traditional
knowledge, and nature-based practices. In this regard, the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Sagarmatha
Dialogue) was initiated with an aim to address the issue of climate change through collaboration
and cooperation at regional and global scales. Established by the Government of Nepal,
Sagarmatha Sambaad has taken a multi-stakeholder approach to address the emerging issues in
climate change.The Sambaad is a permanent forum which will host a biennial global dialogue in
Nepal starting from 2020. In 2020, a global dialogue is scheduled to be held on 2–4 April 2020
on the theme of “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity”. To prepare for this
global dialogue, a national conference called the Sagarmatha National Sambaadwas held on 9
February 2020 at Hotel Yak &Yeti, Kathmandu, Nepal.
1.2.Objective
The aim of the Sagarmatha National Sambaad was to collect the views and suggestions of
multiple stakeholdersin order to establish Nepal’s position and perspective for the Sagarmatha
Sambaad global conference to be held on 2–4 April 2020.
2. OpeningSession
The Sambaad was inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Nepal,
Ishwar Pokhrel, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the
Minister of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Lal Babu Pandit, and the Minister of
Finance,Yuba Raj Khatiwada. Minister Pokhrel kicked off the proceedings by planting saplings
of banyan (bar in Nepali) and sacred fig(pipalin Nepali). Theywould now be known as the
“Sagarmatha Sambaad Trees”. The other participants at the opening session included senior
government officials, foreign policy experts, and environmentalists, as well as representatives
from international and intergovernmental organizations, national security forces, provincial and
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local government, civil society, and the academia. The highlights of the session were the
following:
Pradeep Gyawali, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister Gyawali welcomed all the participants and highlighted the rationale behind organizing
the Sagarmatha National Sambaad. This national dialogue, the first of its kind in Nepal, is part of
the preparatory work for the global Sagarmatha Sambaad to be held in April 2020 which aims to
bring together government officials, civil society leaders, politicians, experts, academicians, and
private-sector representatives to discuss pertinent issues like climate change. He stated that the
dialogue takes the Nepali name, Sagarmatha, of the tallest mountain of the world, Mount
Everest. He said that Sagarmatha held particular significance in terms of climate change in
Nepal, and had links with other pertinent issues of economic growth, adaptation, and
conservation across the world. He also remarked that the global dialogue is expected to provide
an opportunity for Nepal to share its knowledge on the values of peace, experiences of conflict
resolution, dealing with calamities like earthquake, and the stories of emerging economic
development. More importantly, he stated how the dialogue provides an opportunity to discuss
the issues of climate change and come up with solutions for striking a balance between
conservation and development.
He started his speech by citing the findings of the Hindu Kush Himalaya Monitoring and
Assessment Programme (HIMAP) on the rise in temperature. As per HIMAP, he said, warming
will be at least 0.30C higher in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) even if global warming is
limited to 1.50C. This means, he said, the impacts of the predicted rise will be alarming. Minister
Gyawali said that though climate change may seem to be a western issue, its impacts will be
significant in the southern world including Nepal whose contribution to global greenhouse gas
(GHG)emissions is around 0.007 metric tons. The receding snowline, the rise in number of
glacier lakes, and the occurrence of natural disasters like the recent tornado in Bara district, he
pointed out, are some of the experienced impacts. To deal with such impacts, he sought a
regional alliance that can link the issues of the highlands with those of the island countries. Thus,
the Minister said, the Sagarmatha Sambaad is an important initiative that aims to bring forth
ideas and solutions to deal with climate change impacts and promote economic growth through
the concept of green economy. The national dialogue, he said, is expected to summarize the
pertinent issues and determine the country’s position with regards to the global dialogue. The
Sambaad, the Minister stated, is also expected to discuss Nepal’s contribution to the world in
terms of its geophysical stature – by way of the cooling effect of its mountains and it being a
source of water for billions of people living downstream.He also dwelt on how the indigenous
knowledge regarding adaptation and mitigation can be transformed so as to be relevant in the
present time.
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Ishwar Pokhrel, Deputy Prime Minister
Minister Pokhrel expressed his gratitude on the formation of such a global forum, saying that this
dialogue is a significant way in which Nepal can present its position. He said this global forum
provides an opportunity to showcase the importance of Nepal’s mountains and of the overall
HKH region in terms of its contribution to conservation and the well-being of millions of people.
He said that the findings of HIMAP are alarming and that concrete actions need to be taken to
deal with the impacts of climate change in the region. He stated that the highest peaks of the
world, like Sagarmatha – often regarded as the water tower of South Asia and the third pole of
the world – are important ecosystems –that significantly contribute to the global cooling effect.
This ecosystem, he said, supports unique flora and fauna (medicinal plants, for one), while also
being a rare destination for adventure seekers and those seeking spirituality. However, he said,
the Himalaya is under great risk from climate change and the impacts of unplanned development.
He cited the dangers of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, drought, and
desertification that are playing havoc with the entire ecosystem (including, importantly, river
system),thereby negatively affecting human settlements. This, he said,will be further exacerbated
by the growing population, consumption, and rampant extraction of resources. In view of this, he
said, Nepal, due to its unique geographical position, has the responsibility to inform the world on
the effects of climate change. He stated that a national policy on climate change has been
promulgated which adopts an umbrella approach capturing eight dimensions with a special focus
on gender and social inclusion, as well as innovations.He said that the issue of climate change
issue should also be viewed through the prism of intergenerational equity and hence it is of
utmost importance to involve young people in the decision-making processes as well as in
research. He said that Nepal is seeking to attain the status of a developed country by getting to
the goal of $12,100 per capita income by the year 2043. But to achieve that, he said, a balance
has to be maintained between GHG emissions and economic development– for instance, the
conversion of one-third of the vehicles into electric ones. He emphasized that it is it is high time
to deal with climate change through dialogue and diplomacy. Nepal, he said, has to enter into
discussionson this front with embassies, bilateral and UN agencies, and hence, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs should lead such discussions. He said the dialogue is also expected to define
what Nepalwill put forth in the upcoming 26thConference of Parties (CoP) of the UNFCCC
(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to be held in the United Kingdom.
3. Thematic Parallel Sessions
The Sagarmatha National Sambaad consisted of four thematic sessions:Adaptation, Resilience,
and Livelihoods; Green Economy and Energy; Transformational Solutions; andGlobal
Partnership. These four sessions concluded with a plenary session on Regional Cooperation and
Ambition for 1.5 degree Celsius: Urgency for Action in Mountains and Beyond – Way Forward
for the Future of Humanity. The issues and solutions were discussed in detail in each session.
The key messages that followed are outlined below.
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3.1.Adaptation, Resilience, and Livelihoods: Food and Water Security; Climate-
induced Disasters
The session aimed to discuss the issues related to food and water security, and climate-induced
disasters, and thus come up with possible solutions as a way forward for adaptation and better
resilience. The discussions focused on the increased incidence of expected events such as
extreme rainfall and natural hazards, and the occurrence of unexpected events such as the
tornado in Bara/Parsa and the locust attack. The issue of adverse impacts of these events on the
agriculture and water sectors which directly affect the farmersalso came up during the
discussions. Furthermore, the conversations also hovered around the increased reporting of
diseases/pests and weed-infestation,leading to high costs and more demand for labour. With
growing feminization in agriculture, the impacts on women were also discussed. Another
important matter that came up during the discussions was the issue of land reformsand the
ceiling in ownership which, it was said, made mechanization and the adoption of technology
extremely difficult.
The session was moderated by Anil Pokhrel (Chief, National Disaster Reduction and
Management Authority)along with the following distinguished panellists:
1) Dr Bimala Rai Paudel, Member of National Assembly
2) Madhukar Upadhyaya, Climate Expert
3) Hari Bhakta Sharma, President of CNI
4) Dr Madan Pariyar, Climate Expert
The key messages of the session were:
1. Water resources and agriculture are the key sectors that suffer the highest adverse
impacts from climate change. However, the problems associated with agriculture and
water resources are cross-sectoral and multidimensional. The existing policy and legal
issues are restricting the development of agriculture and forest entrepreneurship, and the
solutions should be planned accordingly.
2. Climate action should focus on the marginalized groups of women, youth, and indigenous
people. There is a need for awareness about the central role that women play in
agriculture, and appropriate technology should be introduced to address it.
3. Horizontal as well as vertical policy coherence need to be achieved to make climate
action effective in the forestry, agriculture, and industry sectors. Policies that encourage
the use of electric vehicles should also be promoted.
4. Constructing recharge ponds in upstream watershed areas may not only save water and
raise the water table level downstream, but also control water-induced disasters.
5. The issue of migration needs to be addressed within the broader framework of
sustainability with a particular focus on innovative,alternative livelihood approaches.
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6. Adaptation measures need to be based on the blending of indigenous knowledge and new
technologies.The adoption of best practices such as the Multiple-Use Water System
(MUS) and the Commercial Pocket Approach (CPA) in agriculture production and
marketing,as well as policy innovations (e.g. LAPA – Local Adaptation Plan of Action, a
community-based approach to natural resource management) can be offered to the global
community.
7. State branding is required; zero carbon emission, for example, could be one form of
branding. The zero carbon agenda for the country could also bring in funding
opportunities for greener growth.
8. Agriculture has to be less labour intensive and more technology driven. For this, land
reform needs to be addressed.
9. Nepal could serve as a research ground for assessing the impacts of climate change on
diverse agro-ecological zones.
Highlightsof the question-and-answer session:
1. The outmigration of the mountain population is acute and needs to be addressedby
exploring alternative livelihood options.
2. The contribution of the agriculture sector to the economy has been continually declining,
more so because ofthe adverse effect that climate changehas had on the agriculture sector.
This needs assessment and strategic investments.
3. The internal displacement of people as a result of climate change has largely been
neglected and needs attention during the dialogue.
4. Policy recommendations from the research on environment and human rights linkage
needs to be implemented through a holistic approach.
5. Risk transfer needs to be focused and its mechanisms should be analysed under the
context of climate change. The existing crop insurance mechanism is highly ineffective.
For instance, when there is a loss due to a hazard in a community forest, there is no risk
transfer mechanism in place.
3.2.Green Economy and Energy: Policies for People, Prosperity and Planet; Sustainable
Business Practices
The session on Green Economy and Energy discussed the issues of economic growth and
prosperity through nature-based solutions that could contribute to conservation and economic
sustainability. Some of the issues that were discussed focused on the black carbonarising from
the burning of agriculture residue, emission from the industries (brickkilns and cement),and
cooking/heating at homes with solid fuel, and their impacts on glaciers, local environment and
human health.They also conversed about climate literacy and partnership. As for challenges
ahead of the green economy, elevation-dependent warming and high water during monsoon and
low water during winter were also discussed. As regards the private sector, fields such as
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manufacturing, tourism, hydropower, agriculture, insurance, and banking also became part of the
discussions; it was also stated that these areas were facing the challenge of depleting resources.
Similarly, the persistent poverty at the local level, and the significant inequality across Nepal,
weak governance, gap in knowledge generation, and the need for an informed discourse on
policy were also discussed. Besides, the melting of glaciers and water-related disasters were
deliberated upon. In terms of the urban issues, municipal solid waste management and reducing
plastic wastewere discussed as issues required attention for adaptation to climate change.
The session was moderated by the veteran journalist Kunda Dixit, and the following were the
distinguished panellists:
1) Dr Swarnim Wagle, Former Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission
2) Bhawani Rana, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FNCCI)
3) Dr Dinesh Devkota, Former ViceChair of the National Planning Commission
4) Dr Mani Nepal, Senior Environmental Economist, ICIMOD
The key messages from the session were:
1. A regional initiative on black carbon,basic climate literacy, and partnership should be
planned.
2. Capacity building of the federal structures and a linkingof national and international
policiesare required. The regional and global politics surrounding climate change and
water should be other area of focus.
3. HIMAP has predicted atleast a 1.50
C rise in temperature in the region based on the
emission index of the pre-industrial era. In this scenario, Nepal should be prepared for an
“existential crisis”as the temperature levels may increase exponentially.
4. Nepal is globally connected but its participation in the global economy is insignificant.
Similarlywhile the country is getting urbanized, this development istaking place without
the element of industrialization. This shows the backwardness of the country. However,
this backwardness can be utilized for greener growth through the promotion of electric
vehicles and hydropower.
5. The diversification of industries should be promoted through ecotourism, the use of
renewable energy, the preservation of cultural heritage, and green construction using
climate-friendly materials.
6. Climate diplomacy, built on the values of traditional knowledge, policy, and previous
initiatives, should be active both regionally and globally.
7. Low carbon energy in the rural areas (for example, by promoting improved cookstoves),
action research towards evidence-based policy formation (where politicians, researchers,
and technocrats work together), and the theory of change should be promoted. For
instance, solar pumps provide renewable green energy but if it is used without a proper
knowledge about the local hydrology, the watertable and the water recharge rate, it may
lead to over-extraction of groundwater. Similarly, changing human behaviour by
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providing incentives for solid waste management and controlling the use of plastic should
be accorded priority as a climate change adaptation strategy. This would also help to
avoid water logging and urban flooding during extreme climatic events.
8. Policies ought to be adopted based on evidence, and the concept of a green economy
should be explored. Funding has to be provided to bolster research activities in
universities and among think tanks.
Highlights of the question-and-answer session:
1. Migration is acute from rural to urban areas. Strategies should be formulated to address
the issue of overcrowded cities and sparsely populated villages.
2. “Happy seeders” at the local level should be promoted by the respective governments for
reducing the amount of black carbon emanating from the burning of agricultural residue.
3. A change in attitude is required in terms of integrating the youth and marginalised groups
especially indigenous people in the climate change agenda.
4. There’s a requirement for building the capacity of academic institutes; they should be in a
position to access global, regional, and national research funding.
5. The idea of a knowledge-based society should be promoted.
6. In terms of the green economy, the private sector is alert, and there are already some
initiatives such as nature-base tourism, solar energy, biogas and others.
7. As compensatory mechanism is not sustainable, Nepal’s internal economy itself should
be developed.
3.3.Transformational Solutions: Finance and Innovations in Technology, Nature-based
Solutions, and Traditional Knowledge
The session specifically discussed the pathways towards transformative change through
innovations in technology, new investments, and the practice of nature-based solutions that
integrate traditional knowledge. The discussions focused on the following issues: food
sovereignty which is a fundamental right of the farmer;compensatory provision for the effects of
environmental degradation; distributive justice that ensures inclusive representation; and public
interest petition that allows citizens to raise issues of public concern. The aspects of
representation of diverse groups (including indigenous people), loss of biodiversity and thus the
associated traditional knowledge, and conservation ethics were also discussed.
The session was moderated by Dr Nischalnath Pandey (Director, Centre for South Asian
Studies)and the following were the distinguished panellists:
1) Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai,Judge at the Supreme Court
2) Dr Krishna Prasad Oli, Member, National Planning Commission
3) Dr Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Emeritus Professor
4) Dr Dinesh Bhuju, Academician,Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
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The key messages from the session were:
1. Nepal’s development pathway is based on low-emission strategy for which e-mobility,
clean energy, and green economy are priorities. For this, an enabling policy environment
should be in place.
2. The concept of “green city” needs to be translated into practice which requires
maximizing the use of biomaterials instead of non-renewables. The application of a
futuristic approach towards urban settlement is important.
3. Regional partnership is necessary to address the transboundary impacts of climate
change.
4. Traditional knowledge and modern technology should be integrated to address issues like
climate change. Some of the strategies could focus on empowering local conservation
ethics, and constructing an appropriate ethical regime for the global capitalistic system.
5. Technological innovations such as draining glacial lakes, setting up early warning
systems, weather forecasting,and financial innovation (e.g. climate budget code, 80%
budget for local action) can be showcased to the international community.
6. Nepal should offer constitutional and policy innovations to the international communityin
terms of environmental sustainability, food sovereignty, compensatory provision,
distributive justice that ensures inclusivity, and heritage conservation.
7. Attention should be paid to the medieval, traditional settlements in Nepal where a few
hundred householdsoccupy a small space with commonly shared chowks. This can be
useful for urban planning, especially where the spaces are shrinking. This is an
indigenous knowledge that Nepal can share with the world.
8. To replace 35% of the vehicles with electric ones, some of the strategies could be the
replacement of public vehicles with electric ones, low-interest finance, building charging
stations every 100 km along the East–West Highway, and safe disposal of batteries.
9. The promotion of accounting and payment for ecosystem services, integration of the
indigenous knowledge system intothe school curriculum, and a strict land-sale policy to
preserve the indigenous people’s settlements.
3.4.Global Partnership and Regional Cooperation: Connecting Highlands to Islands,
Climate Justice, and the Role of Women and Youth
The session discussed the possible cooperation and partnerships at regional and global levels in
order to address the issues of justice, gender, and climate change. The mountain agenda, limited
access to internal funding mechanisms, the degradation of Himalayan biodiversity as a result of
climate change and other drivers were deliberated upon. The degrading ecosystem services
provided by the Himalayas and the need to conserve and sustain through increased forest cover,
water restoration and by other means were also discussed. Other discussion points focused on
capacity building, environmental injustice, and the limited representation of youth and women.
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The session was moderated by Shankar Das Bairagi (Foreign Secretary)and the following were
the distinguished panellists:
1) Dr Rajan Kumar Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister
2) Dr Madhav Karki, Team Leader, Integrated Development Society (IDS),Nepal
3) Dr Netra Timsina, Environmentalist
4) Shreya K.C., Youth Climate Activist
The key messages from the session were:
1. There is a need to build a consensus among the mountainous countries to push forward
the advocacy of the mountain agenda at both regional and global scales. China and India
can play an important role in drawing global attention towards the mountain agenda. For
this, preparations are required to put forth the mountain agenda during the United Nations
Climate Change Summit in 2020 in Glasgow.
2. Business as usual is not an option; transformative change is what is urgent. For global
partnerships and regional cooperation, the food–water–energy nexus is important. Some
of the suggested options were: Himalaya as a biodiversity hotspot and water tower
(payment for services); a transboundary approach towards conservation and
development; the creation of a knowledgehub (by enhancing academic and research
networks); and the promotion and preservation of mountain heritage.
3. Climate diplomacy is important,especially in terms of policies on rivers, and there ought
to be a well-planned strategy at the regional and global levels. Climate change expert
having biodiversity knowledge is recommended to be include in the United Nations
system for replenishing the modern technology, climate finance and best practices from
aboard. The concept of user’s pay mechanism could be promoted.
4. A community-based approach should be promoted to deal with climate injustice as the
community institutions are the key to adaptationwhile they also play an important role in
implementing the national plans at local levels.
5. Climate justice (intergenerational equity) and the participation and recognition of
different groups (women, youth, and others) in the decision-makingprocess should be
ascertained.
4. Plenary Session: Ambition for 1.5 Degree Celsius: Urgency for Action in Mountains and
Beyond – Way Forward for the Future of Humanity
The four thematic sessions concluded with a plenary session where a way forward was
discussed. The issues that were focused on were trade-offs in climate change, institutional
governance to address climate change issues, the climate crisis, and collaboration between
nations and regions to advocate the mountain agenda and negotiate political processes. The
limited focus on the mountain countries during global negotiations and the need for cooperation
for advocacy were also part of dialogues.
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The session was moderated by Manjeet Dhakal(Head, LDC Support Team at Climate Analytics
and Adviser to the LDC Chair at UN Climate Negotiation)and the following were the
distinguished panellists:
1) Dr Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment
2) Dr Archana Shrestha, Meteorologist, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
3) Kanak Mani Dixit, Senior Journalist/Writer
4) Dr Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador
The key messages from the session were:
1. Nepal is a vertical thermometer for measuring global warming, and so should be prepared
to raise global alarm on climate crisis and climate emergency.
2. Climate change issues should be tackled through intergovernmental actions. There is an
urgent need to translate the policies into actions as the policy, legal, and institutional
arrangements are not enforced well. An intergovernmental coordination committee
comprising of provincial-level line ministries and the Department of Hydrology and
Meteorology have been in action for long-term monitoring.
3. Nepal can be showcased as the thermometer of climate change and can share its
experience of the climate crisis with the world community.
4. Mountain issues are under-addressed and need to be highlighted in international forums,
negotiation processes, andcooperative mechanisms.
5. Mitigation actions should focus on transportation, waste management (waste to energy),
electric cooking stoves, and the replacement of coal-based energy with clean energy in
about 8,000 industries.
6. Research and systematic observation on GHG and black carbon are necessary, including
the installation of GHG monitoring stations across the country.
7. Mitigation and adaptation planning should be guided by science. Scientific research
focusing on new climate phenomenain the country such as tornado or the shift in flooding
patterns(from the eastern part of the country to the west) should be carried out.
8. Agriculture disaster response needs to be prioritized, and the underutilized agricultural
land can be used for both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
9. International collaboration to raise the collective voice of “fellow sufferers” of climate
change. There is a need for empathetic collaboration with island nations in order to raise
a common voice on climate change. The link between rising snowline and sea level needs
to be considered. Similarly, with a majority of Nepalese migrants working in the coastal
areas and sea-based livelihoods, the climate change impacts in the coastal region
especially the Gulf countries can be another important like with the coastal countries. For
the collaboration to work, language plays an important role and so the climate change
language should be such that it resonates with the collaborators’ needs.
10. Efforts to make Nepal a sustainable, green and liveable country by reducing the use of
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)and using clean energy for heating and cooling purposes.
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11. Behavioural change with investment in climate education should be encouraged.
Highlights of the question-and-answersession:
As the participation of youth is low, their representation should be increased in local,
national, and international forums for innovative solutions and actions. A separate panel
is planned in this regard during the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambaad.
Coordination between all the ministries is required for climate action, and there is a need
for a separate youth panel in Sagarmatha Sambaad.
The strategy for a low-carbon economy is still in its draft form and its scope extends
beyond climate change. This strategy can help achieve 7.8% economic growth through
low carbon emission in a context where most economic development is driven by fossil
fuel.
The university curricula should be revised, and the research at universitiesshould focus
on knowledge generation regarding climate change.
The air has to be cleared about the negative messaging regarding the Nepalese
mountaineering industry during the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambaad.
The Green Economy should be linked with the Blue Economy, and there should be a
scaling up and scaling out of the best practices.
There is a need to improve climate science for credible and effective planning and
adaptation. There has to be early warning systems in placeso that the people are informed
beforehand. The need for climate science-based adaptation strategies was also stressed.
Climate diplomacy should be intensified and coordinated. The government should
include climate change expert in UN diplomatic mission by exploring and developing the
capacity of experts who could raise credible and effective voice for climate change
negotiation and diplomacy.
5. Closing Session
Pradeep Gyawali, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister Gyawali highlighted the major issues that were raised during the sessions. He stated that
black carbon is an important issue for Nepal as it is lodged between India and China, and he
stressed the need for climate diplomacy through evidence-based diplomacy at both regional and
global scales. He emphasized the need for a green economy that takes into account
intergenerational equity, and said that advocacy should be in place about the contribution of the
Himalayas so that funding opportunities such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF)are created. He
further stressed on the functional role of public–private partnerships for action against climate
change.
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Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister of Forests and Environment
Minister Basnet highlighted the need for a national dialogue to address the issue of climate
change.He said that climate change is a local, regional, and global issue that is threatening the
existence of humankind. Though Nepal’s contribution to emission is almost negligible, the
country is a victim of the impacts, andthis should be strongly discussed at international forums
through dialogues, he said. The country should focus on mitigation and adaptation,and address
various dimensions, including transformation, adjustment, and coping strategies, he said. The
Minister stated that climate change should also be understood through a rights-based perspective
that ensures overall justice. He stressed that the key messages from the present dialogue are
important for the formulation of National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). He also addressed the challenge of converting
Nepal’s remittance-driven economy to a green economy. The Minister ended his remarks by
expressing hope in establishing a global dialogue and Nepal playing a leadership role in climate
action globally.
Krishna Prasad Oli, Member, National Planning Commission
Dr Krishna Prasad Oli summarized the key pointsdiscussedduring the Sambaad. He focused
particularly on the issues of “existential crisis” and black carbon, and their unavoidable impacts
on nature and people. He also dwelt on the country’s limited access to international financial
mechanisms, trade-offs between development and conservation, weak negotiation apparatuses
for the mountain agenda at international forums, the role of indigenous people, and climate
justice. He reiterated the need for a regional initiative on black carbon, diversification in the
private sector, urgent action on climate diplomacy at both regional and global scales, public–
private partnerships to access international funding, and the promotion of low-carbon energy in
rural areas.
15
6. Annex
6.1.Annex 1: Agenda
08:00 Registration and Breakfast
Opening session
09:00–09:05 National Anthem
09:05–09:15 Objectives of the National Dialogue by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar
Gyawali
09:15–09:20 Inauguration by Deputy Prime Minister, Ishwar Pokhrel
Planting saplings of bar and pipal–“Sagarmatha Sambaad Trees”
09:35–10:00 Inaugural remarks by Deputy Prime Minister, Ishwar Pokhrel
Thematic Session from 10:00 am onwards
10:15–11:45
Parallel Session 1: Adaptation, Resilience, and Livelihoods: Food and Water Security, Climate-induced
Disasters
Panellists:
Dr Bimala Rai Paudel Member of National Assembly
MrMadhukar Upadhyaya Climate Expert
Mr Hari Bhakta Sharma President of CNI
Dr Madan Pariyar Climate Expert
Moderator:
MrAnil Pokhrel Chief, National Disaster Reduction and Management Authority
Location: Regal Ballroom
Parallel Session 2: Green Economy and Energy:Policies for People, Prosperity, and Planet; Sustainable
Business Practices
Panellists
Dr Swarnim Wagle Former Vice Chair of National Planning Commission
Ms Bhawani Rana Chairperson of FNCCI
Dr Dinesh Devkota Former ViceChair of National Planning Commission
Dr Mani Nepal Environment Economist
Moderator
Mr Kunda Dixit Editor, Nepali Times
Location: Durbar Hall
11:45–12:45 Lunch
13:00–14:30: Parallel Session 3: Transformational Solutions: Finance and Innovations in Technology;
Nature-based Solutions and Traditional Knowledge
Panellists
Dr Ananda Mohan Bhattarai Justice of the Supreme Court
Dr Ram Prasad Chaudhary Emeritus Professor
Dr Dinesh Bhuju Academician, NAST
Moderator
Dr Nischalnath Pandey Director, Centre for South Asian Studies
Regal Hall
Parallel Session4:Global Partnership and Regional Cooperation: Connecting Highlands to Islands; Climate
Justice, and the role of Women and Youth
Panellists
Dr Rajan Kumar Bhattarai Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister
16
Dr Madhav Karki Team Leader, Integrated Development Society Nepal
Dr Netra Timsina Environmentalist
Ms Shreya K.C. Youth Climate Activist
Moderator
Mr Shanker Das Bairagi Foreign Secretary
14:3 –14:45 Tea/Coffee Break
Durbar Hall
14:45–16:15 Plenary Session on Ambition for 1.5 Degree Celsius: Urgency for Action in Mountains
and beyond: Way Forward for the Future of Humanity
Panellists
Dr Bishwa Nath Oli Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment
Mr Durga Prasad Bhattarai Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador
Mr Kanak Mani Dixit Senior Journalist/Writer
Dr Archana Shrestha Meteorologist, DHM
Moderator
Mr Manjeet Dhakal Head, LDC Support Team at Climate Analytics and Advisor
to the LDC Chair at UN Climate Negotiation
Regal Hall
16:15–16:30 Tea/Coffee Break
16:30–17:00 Closing Ceremony
16:35–16:40 Remarks by Minister of Forests and Environment,Mr Shakti Bahadur Basnet
16:40–16.50 Summary of the Sagarmatha National Sambaad, Dr Krishna Prasad Oli
16:50–17:00 Vote of Thanks by the Secretariat Coordinator of Sagarmatha Sambaad, Mr Kumar Raj Kharel
17
6.2.List of participants
SN NAME Category Organization Phone and Email
1. Ishwar Pokharel Minister Ministry of Defence
2. Ram Bahadur Thapa Minister Home Ministry 4211203
3. Hridayesh Tripathi Minister
Ministry of Federal Affairs and
General Administration
4. Pradip Kumar Gyawali Minister Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5. Lekhraj Bhatta Minister
Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, and Supplies 4211571
6. Shakti Bahadur Basnet Minister
Ministry of Forest and
Environment 4211567
7. Yuvaraj Khatiwada Minister Ministry of Finance 4211809
8. Gokul Prasad Banskota Minister
Ministry of Communication
and Information Technology &
Ministry of Urban
Development 4211556
9. Representative Secretary Vice President’s Office 4416317
10.
M.P. Guragain Secretary
Office of Prime Minister and
Council of Ministers 9851112244
11.
Narayan Prasad Bidari Secretary
Office of Prime Minister and
Council of Ministers 9848598983
12.
Tirtha Raj Dhakal Secretary
Office of Prime Minister and
Council of Ministers 4211025
13. Krishna Prasad Oli
Member
National Planning
Commissions
9851059033
14. Rajiv Gautam
Secretary
Ministry of Law, Justice, and
Parliamentary Affairs 4211987
15. Yubakdhwaj G.C.
Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock Development 4211808
16. Rabindranath Shrestha Secretary
Ministry of energy, water
resources and irrigation 4211426
17. Shanker Das Bairagi Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs 4200193
18.
Kedar Bahadur Adhikari
Secretary
Ministry of Culture, Tourism,
and Civil Aviation
9851033041
18
19. Rajan Khanal
Secretary
Ministry of Finance 9851106244
20. Ananda Mohan Bhattarai Judge Supreme Court [email protected]
21. Kumar Raj Kharel
Chief – Policy,
Planning and
Overseas
Nepali Affairs
Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs 9862428150
22. Bishnu Prasad Gautam Under Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs
23. Sabita Nakarmi Section Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs
24.
Bharat Raj Paudyal
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9851217101
25.
Mr. Kali Pokhrel
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9851174992
26.
Mr. Yagya Bahadur
Hamal
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9848905079
27.
Mr. Nirmal Raj Kafle
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9841317984
28.
Mr. Gehendra Raj
Bhandari
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9841254788
29.
Mr. Tapas Adhikari
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9818937158
30.
Mr. Ramkaji Khadka
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9851283744
31.
Mr. Dornath Aryal
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9851101188
32.
Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9841317984
33. Rupak Sapkota Secretariat Ministry of Foreign Affairs
34. Bishwanath Oli Secretary
Ministry of Forest and
Environment 4211567
35. Maheshwar Dhakal Joint Secretary
Ministry of Forest and
Environment
9851142405
36. Keshab Gautam Under Secretary
Ministry of Forest and
Environment 4211567
37. Hari Laudari Forest Officer
Ministry of Forest and
Environment 4211567
38. Srijana Bhusal
Climate Change
Officer
Ministry of Forest and
Environment 4211567
39. Mahesh Prasad Dahal Secretary
Ministry of Education, Science
and Technology 4200354/9841930044
19
40. Deepesh Chhangchha Secretariat Ministry of Home Affairs
41. Ganesh Gurung Chairperson Policy Research Institute
42.
Gopal Khanal
Advisor Editor
Gorkhapatra
43.
Pitamber Sharma
Former
Member
National Planning Commission
44.
Rajan Khanal
Secretary Ministry of Finance
9857011444
45.
Kiran Paudel
Youth
Representative
9862428150
46.
Sunita Baral
Youth
Representative
9851038123
47.
Maheshwor Neupane
Secretary
Ministry of Home Affairs
48. Representative
GoN-
Departments
Alternative Energy Promotion
Centre
5539391
49. Representative
GoN-
Departments Department of Agriculture
5524226
50. Representative
GoN-
Departments Department of Forests
4227574
51. Archana Shrestha
GoN-
Departments
Department of Hydrology and
Meteorology
52. Representative
GoN-
Departments
Department of Hydrology and
Meteorology
4219052
53. Representative
GoN-
Departments
President Chure-Terai Madhesh
Conservation Development
Board (PCTMCDB)
4221231
54. Representative
GoN-
Departments REDD Implementation Centre
01-4239126
20
55. Usha Jha Member National Planning Commission
56. Dil Bahadur Gurung NPC National Planning Commission
57. Sushil Bhatta NPC National Planning Commission
58. Min Bahadur Shahi NPC National Planning Commission
59. Biju Kumar Shrestha NPC National Planning Commission
60. Subodhraj Pyakurel
GON-Province
Ministry of Industry, Tourism,
Forest and Environment,
Province 1 021-470376
61. Dr Bimala Rai Paudel Member
National Assembly
9851188763
62. Girishari Sharma Poudel
GON-Province
Ministry of Industry, Tourism,
Forest and Environment,
Province 1, Province 5 61-465355
63. Bipin Adhikari Legal expert
9851115496
64. Rajan Bhattarai Advisor
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9851100456
65.
Gyan Chandra Acharya
Former Foreign Secretary
66. Kul Chandra Gautam
Former
Assistant
Secretary-
General
UN
9721544218
67.
Khadga K.C.
Chairperson
Department of International
Relations and Diplomacy,
Tribhuwan University
9851188772
68. Punya Prasad Regmi
GON-Province
Ministry of Industry, Tourism,
Forest and Environment,
Province 6 091-521127
69. Hom Narayan Shrestha
Provincial
Federation(s) Rural Municipality Nepal
4229841
70. Dabal Pandey
Provincial
Federation(s)
District Coordination
Committee Federation
5554081
21
71. Representative
Provincial
Federation(s)
District Coordination
Committee Federation
5554081
72. Prabhu
Political
Representative
Nepali Congress Central
Office, Sanepa
73. Representative
Political
Representative
Nepali Congress Central
Office, Sanepa
74. Representative
Political
Representative
Nepal Communist Party Central
Office, Dhumbarahi
75. Representative
Political
Representative
Nepal Communist Party Central
Office, Dhumbarahi
76. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa
Foreign Policy
Expert Former Ambassador
9851074242
77. Shambhu Ram Simkhada
Foreign Policy
Expert Former Ambassador
9851070230 [email protected]
78. Madan Kumar Bhattarai
Foreign Policy
Expert Former Ambassador
9861059499 [email protected]
79. Sushil Pyakurel
Foreign Policy
Expert
National Human Rights
Commission [email protected]
80. Ang Tshering Sherpa Private Sector
Asian Trekking Mountaineer.
Nepal
9851029684
81. Umesh Shrestha Private Sector
Electric Vehicle Association of
Nepal (EVAN)
9849405853
82.
Bhawani Rana Private Sector
Federation of Nepalese
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FNCCI) [email protected]
83. Pradip Khatiwada Private Sector Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) [email protected]
84. Ojaswi Baidya Private Sector Tyres Treasures
9803454512
85. Dawa Steven Sherpa Private Sector
Asian Trekking Mountaineer
Nepal [email protected]
86.
Kushal Gurung Private Sector Wind Power Nepal
5524646
87. Dinesh Bhuju
Nepal Academy of Science and
Technology (NAST)
9841992216
22
88.
Deepak Aryal Academia
Central Department of
Hydrology and Meteorology,
Tribhuvan University [email protected]
89.
Tirtha Raj Adhikari Academia
Central Department of
Hydrology and Meteorology,
Tribhuvan University [email protected]
90. Bandana Pradhan Academia
Institute of Medicine,
Tribhuvan University [email protected]
91. Kedar Rijal Academia
Central Department of
Environmental Science (CDES) [email protected]
92.
Krishna Raj Tiwari Academia Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan
University
9856019884
93.
Ram Kailash Prasad
Yadav Academia
Central Department of Botany,
Tribhuvan University [email protected]
94. Balaram Bhatta Academia Agriculture Forestry University
9855069625.00
95. Ambika Prasad Gautam Academia Kathmandu Forestry College
9851029413.00
96. Bishnu Hari Pandit Academia Kathmandu Forestry College [email protected]
97. Binaya Raj Shivakoti Academia
Institute for Global
Environmental Strategies [email protected]
98. Dambar Chemjong Academia
Department of Anthropology,
Tribhuvan University
9851084157
99.
Subodh Dhakal Academia
Central Department of
Geography, Tribhuvan
University [email protected]
100. Durga Prasad Bhattarai
Former Foreign Secretary and
Ambassador
101. Bimal Regmi NGO/INGO Oxford Policy Management
9860559266
102. Prahlad Thapa NGO/INGO
International Union for
Conservation of Nature
5528781
103.
Bhaskar Singh Karky
Intergovernmen
tal Organisation
(IGO)
ICIMOD [email protected]
23
104. Mani Nepal IGO ICIMOD [email protected]
105. Nischalnath Pandey NGO Centre for South Asian Studies 9851058622
106. Madhav Karki NGO
Integrated Development
Society (IDS), Nepal [email protected]
107. Ghana Gurung NGO/INGO World Wildlife Fund, Nepal [email protected]
108. Mahesh Pradhan NGO/INGO UNEP [email protected]
109. Krishna Dev Joshi NGO/INGO
International Rice Research
Institute, Nepal [email protected]
110. Vijaya Singh NGO/INGO
United Nations Development
Programme [email protected]
111. Rudriksha Rai Parajuli NGO/INGO DFID Nepal [email protected]
112. Man Bahadur B.K. NGO/INGO
Nepal Climate Change Support
Programme (NCSSP) [email protected]
113. Ranjan Prakash Shrestha NGO/INGO European Union [email protected]
114.
Pasang Dolma Sherpa NGO/INGO
Centre for Indigenous Peoples
Research and
Development (CIPRED)
115. Representative NGO/INGO
Sagarmatha Pollution Control
Committee [email protected]
116. Netra Timilsina NGO Environmentalist
985100633
117. Engila Mishra NGO/INGO ASHA Nepal [email protected]
118. Shambhu Dangal NGO/INGO
The Centre for People and
Forests (RECOFTC)
9851111237
119.
Dharam Raj Uprety NGO/INGO Practical Action Nepal
9851161345
g.np, [email protected]
120. Shreya KC NGO Youth Climate Action
121. Umesh Lama NGO/INGO Organic World and Fair future
9851034829
122. Prabin Man Singh NGO/INGO Prakriti Resource Centre
9851150074
123. Geeta Pandey NGO/INGO KIRDAC
9841541591
24
124. Gobinda Bahadur Shahi NGO/INGO Mountain Partnership 9858023846 [email protected]
125.
Bharati Pathak NGO/INGO
Federation of Community
Forest Users Nepal
(FECOFUN) [email protected]
126. Suveksha Jha NGO/INGO
Nepalese Youth for Climate
Action
127. Manohara Khadka NGO/INGO
International Water
Management Institute (IWMI) [email protected]
128. Abhishek Shrestha NGO/INGO Digo Bikas Institute [email protected]
129. Nagdev Yadav NGO/INGO
Community Development and
Advocacy Forum Nepal
9854022997
130. Madhukar Upadhyaya Climate Expert
131. Hari Bhakta Sharma Private sector President of CNI
9851021281
132. Madan Pariyar NGO/INGO Climate Expert
133. Swarnim Wagle
Former Vice Chair of the
National Planning Commission
134. Dinesh Devkota
Former Vice Chair of the
National Planning Commission
135. Kanak Mani Dixit Media [email protected]
136. Kunda Dixit Media Nepali Times [email protected]
137. Kiran Nepal Media Himal [email protected]
138. Guna Raj Luitel Media Nagarik [email protected]
139. Umesh Chauhan Media Naya Patrika [email protected]
140. Arun Baral Media Online Khabar [email protected]
141. Devendra Bhattarai Media Kantipur Daily [email protected]
142. Nitu Pandit Media Sancharika Samuha [email protected]
143.
Kamal Dev Bhattarai Media
Annapurna Express/The
Diplomat
144. Parsuram Kaphle
Media
Naya Patrika/Special
Correspondent
145. Kuber Chalise Media Karobar Daily/Editor [email protected]
146. Rajesh Chamling Rai Media Gorkhapatra Daily
25
147. Modnath Dhakal Media The Rising Nepal
148. Nawaraj Pandey Media Kantipur TV
149. Susil Aryal Media Himalayan TV [email protected]
150. Rajan Kuikel Media Image Channel [email protected]
151. Gopal Aryal
National Reconstruction
Authority [email protected]
152. Asmita Verma
9803837568
153. Narayan Dhakal
ECOHIMAL
9851087443
154. Maya Sherpa
Nepal Mountaineers
Association [email protected]
155. Laksa
R.A.I.A Body
156. Pragyawatee Rai
UNOPS 9808867085
157. Sarey Thapa
Himalaya T.V. 9843503430
158. Sneha Pandey
Clean Energy Nepal 9841993360
159. Surendra Joshi
Intergovernmen
tal Organisation
(IGO) ICIMOD [email protected]
160. Dr Amina Maharjan
Intergovernmen
tal Organisation
(IGO) ICIMOD
161. S. Amatya
Organizing Committee
162. Akash Man Shakya
Kathmandu Climate save [email protected]
163. Susan Karmacharya Chairperson Wind Power Nepal 9851011782
164. Ganesh Gurung
Policy Research Institute [email protected]
165. Prithi Sakha
Nepal Youth for Climate
Action [email protected]
166. Laxmi Sapkota
Nepal Youth for Climate
Action [email protected]
167. Pawan Kumar Shrestha
Nepal Youth for Climate
Action [email protected]
168. Ganesh Thapa
NID 9852052389
169. Pragati Sharma
World Food Programme [email protected]
170. Sanjib Gurung
NMA 9841190881
26
171. Santabir Lama
NMA 9851023130
172. Tsering Kenji Sherpa
European Union [email protected]
173. Mahendra
OPMCM
174. Anil Pokhrel
NDRRMA, MoHA
175. Yam K. Shrestha
Department of Agriculture 9851249522
176. Sobha Bhandari Chalise
Ministry of Physical
Infrastructure and Transport
177. Neera Shrestha Pradhan
ICIMOD
9851187223
178. Sunita Chaudhary
ICIMOD
9841317291
179. Bhupesh Adhikari
ICIMOD
97715275222
180. Anish Shrestha
YFEED Foundation
9847659101
181. Sagarika Bhatta
TUDE
9860974781
182. Tanuja Pandey
Harin Nepal
9863622020
183. Janita Gurung
ICIMOD
9849801483
184. Shail Shrestha
DBI/KTM Cycle city
9852056491
185. Ambika Joshi
MOFA [email protected]
186. Kiran K. Baroon
National Human Rights
Commission 985102641
187. Surendra Labh
Policy Research Institute
9844051292
188. Pushpa Kumari Karn
9841771812