Occupy Tundikhel
The Himalayan Times
14 November 2019
Occupy
Tundikhel
Located in the central of the
Himalaya range, Nepal is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world
due to its topography and climatic conditions. Earthquakes, landslides, floods,
fire, thunderbolts are the major causes of disaster events which have caused
major damages in the past, weakening the fragile ecosystem of the country.
Nepal, at regular intervals, has witnessed earthquakes. Seismological studies
have clearly indicated that the entire region of Nepal is prone to earthquakes because
of its location in the active seismic zone. According to Global Report on
Disaster Risk, Nepal ranks the 11th position in terms of earthquake risk.
When the devastating earthquake
measuring 7.8 in magnitude struck the nation in 2015, around 9000 people lost
their lives and about 23000 people were injured. Thousands of people were made
homeless and had to take shelters in the available open spaces. People from around
the Kathmandu city area had to take shelter in Tundikhel or Khula Munch until
the aftershocks had receded. Seismologists opine that an earthquake like the
ones that rocked the nation in 1934 and in 2015 will also likely occur in the
future as the Himalayan region lies in a major seismic zone. Considering this,
such devastating earthquake could shake the nation on a massive scale at any
time for which the government seems to be either unaware or pretending to be
unaware.
I am just wondering whether the
people have to come out to the streets to draw the attention of the government
and its concerned organisations to safeguard the available open spaces for
emergency needs, or if the government itself must take initiatives to protect
such open spaces “Save public spaces” (THT, November 12, Page 8). I salute the
“Occupy Tundikhel” campaigners who had organized this event a few days ago
demanding the government to return the Khula Munch to the people. This event
should be an eye opener to the government to safeguard such open spaces
elsewhere in the country, including Khula Munch for emergency and many other good
purposes.
Rai
Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
