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VOL. 03, NO. 17, Jan. 22 2010 (Magh 08, 2066) |
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Plant Fight Bearing Fruit
Environmental activist Chanda Rana’s alone fight against deadly plant Mikenia is bearing fruit
By A CORRESSPONDENT
When an environmental activist, the chairperson of Save the Environment Foundation (SEF), initiated a project against the deadly Mikenia plant in Chitwan National Park, only a few people thought that the wild weed was going to devastate the habitat of the world’s endangered flora and fauna.
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Rana (Center): Fighting against deadly plant
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What Rana had predicted has come true. After releasing 'Mile a minute: A serious threat to Chitwan Nation park’, a documentary made by Chanda Rana, there is a growing concern at all levels now that something must be done to protect the park. Even Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal visited the areas and stressed the need to wipe it out.
The documentary served its purpose by attracting the collective effort to look for options to stop the invasion by Mikenia in the park.
By launching a weeding out campaign against Mikenia at Kasara, Prime minister Nepal on 8th January 2010, demonstrated the government’s concern about the situation. Environmental activist Chanda Rana was with the PM’s team.
Prime Minister Nepal, along with ministers Dipak Bohara and Surendra Pandey and parliament members representing Natural Resources Committee, attended the ''conservation camp '' organized by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation at Temple Tiger. USAID Representative, WWF representative and SEF members also participated in the camp.
Chief warden of Chitwan park informed the PM about conservation status and Dr. Shanta Gyawali of NTNC briefed him about Mikenia there .
The documentary made by Chanda Rana was screened before the PM the previous evening at Temple Tiger.
PM Nepal, and other participants took a sojourn of the park on elephant back, and saw how Mikenia infestation at Chitwan was threatening wildlife there.
Local people, teachers, students and Nepal Army personnel took part in weeding out of Mikenia campaign initiated by the PM.
“The invasive plant is threatening the existence of flora, fauna and unique ecosystem of Chitwan,” said Prime Minister Nepal to the media. “It is high time, without delay, all should participate in controlling or stopping the invasion of the wild weed.”
 Chitwan is not only listed as a world heritage site for its unique natural riches but also boasts to have been the hunting site during the visit by British King George V.
The PM urged all to contribute in a collective effort to eradicate the infestation and appreciated the contribution made by Chanda Rana by making the documentary.
The documentary is her lone approach to draw the attention at national level.
The documentary consists of all the efforts made by various individuals regarding Mikenia and views of experts.
The program was organized by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation.
''I am delighted as initiative was taken by the PM along with Forest Minister Bohara to act promptly, even visiting sites, themselves and I am glad to accompany them to show the infestation and take part jointly for the Mikenia weeding program at Kasara ,” Rana told New Spotlight.
“I am hopeful as the ‘need to act promptly’ has reached even the top leadership level, to PM and concerned ministries. I am optimistic steps will be taken to stop the infestation , I am delighted as my purpose of making the documentary worked out . I will continue my effort and will contribute assisting the ministry of forest and others concerned on this issue to save the Chitwan national park from Mikenia infestation.”
From planting trees to making Kathmandu green, Rana has initiated various works to protect the environment. Chitwan project showed that how crusades against the deadly plant finally seems to be materializing. Although her organization is small, what pays her is dedication and commitments to protect the nature.
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