Communicating conservation: how do the Nepalese print media portray caterpillar fungus? An analysis of newspaper coverage from 2008–2021

 

    Hot Off the Press:

        

Communicating conservation: how do the Nepalese print media portray caterpillar fungus? An analysis of newspaper coverage from 2008–2021. #caterpillarfungus  

Happy to share that the paper "Communicating conservation: how do the Nepalese print media portray caterpillar fungus? An analysis of newspaper coverage from 2008–2021" is published as an Open Access journal and is online.

   

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10439

Always wondered how the media builds a species based public perception? In this article, we have decoded how the media portrays caterpillar fungus dubbed as "Himalayan Gold".  We have assessed 7 Nepali Daily newspapers extracting 463 newspaper articles from 2008-2021.

Please feel free to share in your network.

Please enjoy the open access reading of the article.

We would like to thank reporters and columnist of the respective newspapers for covering the news related to the caterpillar fungus.

Here are the reporters and writers (authors) name:(coming soon)

COMPARISON OF IMPROVED AND TRADITIONAL COOKING STOVE USER IN TERMS OF FIREWOOD CONSUMPTION — A CASE STUDY OF CHHEKAMPAR VILLAGE, MANASLU CONSERVATION AREA GORKHA, NEPAL

 

Sanjeev Poudel*, Kumar Lamichhane, Ashesh Acharya and Mukesh K. Chettri1

National College, Center for Development Studies, Kathmandu University, Kathmandu, Nepal

1Amrit Campus, Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

*Email: sanjeevdevs@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper compares users of improved and the traditional cooking stoves in

Chhekampar Village Development Committee (VDC), Gorkha district, with

regard to firewood consumption. The major variables used to analyze the

firewood consumption of the households are family size, livestock holdings,

frequency of firewood collection, duration of firewood gathering, amount of

firewood used per day. The sampled households were classified in three

elevation ranges (low, mid and high) for the comparison of improved and

traditional cooking stoves users. The results reveal that using improved stoves

reduced firewood consumption by 620 kg/capita/year, and household firewood

savings by NRs 1784/capita/year. Carbon emission of traditional cooking stove is

more than improved cooking stove (ICS) by 1136 kg/capita/year. Analyzing the

variables it can be concluded that ICS is an effective technology for reducing

consumption of firewood and helps to minimize the CO2 emission.

Key words: Carbon-dioxide emission, firewood consumption, improved cooking

stove (ICS), traditional cooking stove (TCS).

=

Proceedings of International Conference on Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the

Himalayas, 2015, pp. 217-224

Eds: P.K. Jha, K.K. Shrestha, R.P. Chaudhary and B.B. Shrestha

Publisher: Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu

Citation: Birks, H.J.B. 2015. Biodiversity, livelihood and climate change in the

Himalayan region. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Biodiversity,

Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas. (eds.) Jha, P.K., K.K.

Shrestha, R.P. Chaudhary and B.B. Shrestha. Central Department of

Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu. pp. 1-39.

Examining caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) harvesting and management practice at Pupal pasture of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal

Abstract

This thesis examines the contribution of caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) to rural livelihoods and the role of community-based resource management in the Pupal pasture of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal. Using a socio-ecological system's perspective, a survey instrument was developed and implemented among 223 harvesters, two traders and five community leaders during the fungus harvesting period in May-June 2019. Findings suggest that the harvesters earned USD 3,090 PPP on average from fungus collection, about 80% of household income, and that the sustainability of the resource is at risk. The implications of these findings for sustainable fungus harvesting and governance are discussed.

https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/examining-caterpillar-fungus-iophiocordyceps-sinensisi-harvesting 

OUTCOMES OF MIGRATION ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS: CASE STUDY OF MALI VILLAGE OF NEPAL

 

OUTCOMES OF MIGRATION ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS: CASE STUDY OF MALI VILLAGE OF NEPAL

Abstract

The basic livelihood strategy which is the combination of agriculture and livestock in rural mountains

are in multiple stresses through changing climate situation. The people have now diversified their

livelihood to non-farm activities like waged based labor, civil service and particularly out-migration to

urban areas amongst others. There are studies done in the context of migration and environmental

change however the relationship between migration and livelihood capitals has been little explored.

Using the livelihood approach as an organizing framework to examine the effects of migration in the

livelihood capitals of Mali village this research collected the evidence through household survey along

with key informant and in-depth interviews. The ward six of Mali village is moderately vulnerable to

climatic related changes as compared to highly vulnerable district as positioned by NAPA report 2010.

The results reveal that due to migration effects like increase in fallow land, shifting from large

livestock to less labor intensive livestock, limited participation of women in community decisions

making process, gaps of semi-skilled youth manpower in the village, increase in wage based labor

rates, massive inflow of remittance funding further migration, increase in possession of mobile phones

and increase of interest rates to loans provided for foreign employment by one percent. Hence,

institutional reforms in property rights ownership, community forestry participation mechanism,

structural reforms in school and health sector along with ways to re-integrate the skills of returned

migrant and better use of remittance flow in the village in productive sector is recommended.

Keywords: #Agriculture, #MaliVillage, #Migration, #SustainableLivelihood, #Remittance

Role of civil society groups and individual activists in environmental litigation

 

Role of civil society groups and individual activists in environmental litigation

This article identifies five major roles that civil society plays in global environmental governance: (1) collecting, disseminating, and analyzing information; (2) providing input to agenda-setting and policy development processes; (3) performing operational functions; (4) assessing environmental conditions and monitoring compliance with environmental agreements; and (5) advocating environmental justice. Several environmental case studies from Indian context, TRAFFIC, and IUCN – illustrate the success civil society group have in expanding to these roles. This paper deals on development of global environmental governance with respect to the expansion of civil society and individual activists in the international arena. Further, paper explores the roles of civil society groups in the effective environment litigation with the case studies from India, Canada and other countries where applicable.

Designing governance structures that draw these groups in global environment problem solving and decisions making is still a complex challenge. Civil society participation also requires significant commitment and substantial financial resources to carry by the national governments.

Finally, it all boils down to who decides the global agenda of environmental problem solving and who would be the major stakeholder that would influence the decision making. These agenda also decides the fate of the country as strong environmental measure could hinder the process of industrialization and globalization in developing countries. The factor of “POWER” also comes into play while filtering the environmental issues that could be the major agenda for the developing countries. Although, civil societies in developing countries plays a bigger role in negotiating the agenda with the developed countries, the windows of opportunity for the developing countries to put their agenda in the forefront discussion in the international summit would take longer time than desired.

Key words: #Civil Society, #Decision making, #Global Environmental governance, #Participation, #Policymaking.

Review of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) under National Rural Health Mission to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate in India

 

Government of India came up with the National Health Policy in 1983 to administer the functioning of public health sector in an effective manner. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India again introduced an updated National Health Policy (NHP) in 2002 taking into consideration the achievements and drawbacks of the 1983 policy so as to achieve an acceptable standard of good health of Indian population.

India accounts for almost a quarter for pregnancy and delivery related maternal deaths occurring worldwide. The National Health Policy 2002, and the National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 of India, expected to reduce Maternal Mortality (MMR) to 100/1,00,000 by 2010. The Millennium Development Goal on the other hand, aims at MMR reduced to 109 by 2015. This paper is a retrospective health policy advocacy that reviews the NHP goal of reducing MMR to 100/1,00,000. Further it also examines the efficacy of Janani Suraksha Yojana(JSY), under the NRHM in achieving the target set forth by NHP. The method used for analysis is based on the health Policy Triangle3 by Walt and Gilson and WHO’s six pillars of strengthening health system .

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 53600 maternal deaths occur every year in the globe out of which 13600 takes place in India. The maternal ratio in 2003 was 301 (maternal deaths per 100000 live births) and 254/1, 00,000 in 2004-06. So there was the need to decline by 154 points to reach the goal. The MMR in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the year 2004-06 was 95 and 111 respectively. During the year 2004-06, MMR was reported 480 in Assam, 312 in Bihar/Jharkhand, 335 in Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, 303 in Orissa, 388 in Rajasthan, and 440 in Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand. Though MMR, in India vary across different states it has been found that the North Indian States contribute to the deaths at a disproportionately high proportion. The trends on MMR over the last 10 years (1999-2000, 2007-2009) show declination by 35% i.e. 327 to 212 per 100000 live births on a national level6. Many of the intertwined factors such as social status, position of women, availability and accessibility of skills, materials and facilities for family planning and maternity care, inaccessibility of quality health care in rural areas, are responsible factors. Most of the causes of maternal mortality in India are preventable, which indicates the need to establish appropriate health care services in rural areas. Despite of the safe motherhood policies and programmatic initiatives, maternity has not significantly become safer in India over the last 20 years in comparison to the target set forward by NHP.

The NPP also seeks to increase the proportion of institutional deliveries to 80% by 2010. So, the National Rural Health Mission came up with a safe motherhood intervention called as Janani Suraksha Yojana8 (JSY) on 12th April 2005, for promoting institutional delivery. This resulted in the increase in number of beneficiaries 7.39 lakhs in 2005-06 to 1 crore in 2009-109. The comprehensive medical care during pregnancy, child birth and post natal care endeavored improvements in the level of institutional deliveries in low performing states to reduce the mortality10. 

References:

National Mechanisms-Child Related Policies-National Health Policy 2002; Child Protection and Child Right retrieved from http://www.childlineindia.org.in/National-Health-Policy-2002.htm on 30th april, 2013

Vora S.K, Mavalankar V.D. (2009); Maternal Health Situation in India; A case study. Journal of Health Population and Nutrition.

http://goo.gl/Wmkq9

Annual Report to the People on Health (2010); p.7 Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi

Rai K. S, Mishra P. (2012); Public Health Approach to Address Maternal Mortality. Indian Journal of Public Health.

Dutta K D(2012); Strategies to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in India: The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India.

Also referred as National Maternity Benefit Scheme

Annual Report to the People on Health (2010); p.7 Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi

Agarwal SP(2005);Towards Achieving Millennium Development Goals in the Health Sector in India; Volume 6, No 4. Journal, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine

Nepal Country report: Water and Climate Change: Irregular precipitation and frequent droughts as a result of Environmental Change.

     

Nepal Country report submitted to Korea Water Forum

By Sanjeev Poudel, Sushmita Dawadi and Ranjan Aryal

          Ⅰ. Introduction 

Geographic information: South Asia [26.5333° N, 86.7333° E] (Neighboring             Countries- India and China) Population, Capital, and Language: 27 million (2011 Population Census), Kathmandu, Official Language: Nepali. Major water course (river stream) : About 6000 rivers in Nepal having drainage area of 191000 sq. km, 74 % of which lies in Nepal alone (WECS, 2011). 

Case Study:

1. Theme - Water and Climate Change: Irregular precipitation and frequent droughts as a result of Environmental Change.

II. Problem-solving efforts and actions of the government, local government and citizens:

A case study of Dadigurashe Village Development Committee in Sindhuli District, Central Development Region, Nepal :

Context: The melting of glaciers, glacier outbursts, declining monsoon, increasing incidence of floods, and flash rains are making headlines across the world. But at Dadigurashee, the villagers relate the increasing change in weather pattern is due to deforestation. The community members expressed, “earlier there were plenty of forests, with the increasing population, the forest area declined, rainfall decreased and the periods of dry summer increased”. The villagers seemed clueless about the rapid pace of industrialization and declining ozone layer.

The National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) positioned Sindhuli district as a moderately affected district by climate change but the interactions with community members indicate a different story. Villagers have experienced extreme and longer summers and short and intense winters in the past two decades. In summers, the community water supply system is threatened due to extreme drought. The villagers are forced to walk for almost an hour to fetch water from far-away wells or the Marin River (village river). The impacts of climate change have resulted to increased hardships as women to fetch water from long distances and walk longer in search of firewood and fodder.

Villagers have experienced rise in incidents of conflicts over water for irrigation. One of the respondents reported, “As scarcity increases conflict also increases. 20 years ago water was abundant, there were no water conflicts for irrigation but now with increasing water scarcity, people fight”. At Dadigurashee, agriculture is posed with serious climatic threat. The declining trend of monsoon has brought severe challenges to farmers. Reduced monsoon rainfall and the high cost of irrigation, has reduced the enthusiasm for agriculture. The rich farmers during dry seasons use water pumps for irrigation, while the majority practices rain-fed agriculture.

The irregular rainfall and frequent droughts have reduced agricultural productivity affecting food consumption for most poor families in the village. The poor families reported more days of food shortage in a year than compared to a decade ago. Farmers are increasingly borrowing money to meet their basic needs and fertilizers to enhance agriculture productivity. On the other hand, the increasing warm temperature has led to introduction of invasive weeds, pests (laii kira in local language) and fungi in the crops. Farmers reported higher agricultural expenses to control weeds and pests. Such climatic impacts have increased debts among the poor and the marginalized farmers.

Some villagers, finding difficulty to sustain livelihood, migrate to Gulf countries, and small towns and cities of Nepal (such as Sindhuli town and Kathmandu). The increasing impacts of climatic conditions indicate people within communities are disproportionately affected. People in different capacities are adapting and changing livelihoods with changing environment. Community members from different caste and class groups have developed their own adaptation processes. Although, NAPA has listed Sindhuli district to have a moderate impact of climate change, the degree of impacts at the village level are differential and incomparable.

Ⅲ. Conclusion

1. Suggestion- Ways to solve the water-related problems through international cooperation: Authorities working for long to address issues of climate change in the region should prioritize adaptation as a process not only to achieve mitigation goals but should also ensure sustenance of basic livelihood and should develop departmental linkages for strong multi-dimensional approach. Else climate change impacts will reverse development goals achieved so far (DFID, 2007). Therefore Climate Change Adaptation interventions are required to be holistic for successful adaptation programs. The learnings of adaptations from different geographical regions of Global South and North should be systematically recorded to mitigate the challenges posed by environmental changes.