Credits are due where they need to be targeted so let's all congratulate the Communist government of Nepal for their extra-ordinary feat of topping the list of 50 countries to claim the No. 1 spot. Nepal had been hovering in the top 5 or top 10 for so long now finally the breakthrough has been made. We are number one - Kathmandu has been listed on top of the most polluted cities list, eating Kyrgyzstan to number two and Pakistan in number 3. In a way, this was bound to happen. It was just a matter of time and persistence. And now we did it, under the great Communist rule with the two-thirds majority that would not function.
Even since 2013, we have been involved in the Clean Community Campaign we launched when we had a German university volunteer. We managed to run the awareness and action projects in 11 districts from the Manang to Parsa districts. In the end, we understood that it was a losing battle. If the people of the community and the country as a whole lacks the basic responsibility then what is the point?
For instance, just observe a Nepali for even 10 minutes. You are likely to see him spit on the ground, eat something, and throw the wrapper away on the street and probably also relieve himself of some mucus. That is why the streets are full of litter no matter what city you visit because it is a national trait. Other countries might boast of their rights to gender equality, racial equality, and political freedom, etc. We can boast of our rights to litter any and every place we happen to be in. It is not enough that we make the city streets filthy, even the natural reserves, forests, and rivers are not spared. I see litter even in the deep forest or isolated river spots. It would be a surprise to find a pristine place anymore.
If a community, or a nation, or the individuals there are clueless about managing their own waste, then what more can be expected from the individual, community, and the nation?
I can even go as far as to assert that Nepal's poverty is due to its filthy people, community, and country. Let's think about it. If the people were worth being called humans, then they would have at least the decency or the civic sense not to litter their community. It tells of a higher being living in the country that really is intelligent enough not to be living like pigs, wallowing in mud and other putrid filth. Filthy country means really serious consequences, for instance, despite being the most naturally endowed country that could be attracting top-level tourists, it has to rely on backpackers and an economy herd. That is why the Nepal government wanted to bring in 2 million tourists last year and failed miserably. If I were in charge, I would make Nepal a top destination and limit the accessibility to it. When the demand is high and our intake is low, then we can pick the highest paying tourist, not the cheapos that pay hardly anything worth the value.
But to be able to make that environment, the citizens have to be responsible enough to keep their streets, neighborhoods, and the whole country clean to show civilized people live here. There should be no plastics strewn all over the water holes or rivers, or cows eating in the pile of plastic garbage. If we manage to just keep a clean habit the country can be transformed. We would not even need foreign remittance. Instead, every village could have cooperatives running the Homestay programs based on organic products from their own locality. The experience offered to the highest paying tourists would make everyone rich, and Nepal could actually get other nationals to come and work as servants here.
I have done a lot of research on the potential of tourism in Nepal and seen how other countries have made it a pot of gold. Nepal, despite being the Shangri-la, is more like a filthy waterhole in the desert where no one goes. The hotel charges in Nepal are a measly sum compared to even African countries. Compared to the most expensive destination like Switzerland, it is practically a giveaway.
So, instead of keeping our Shangri-la as it should have been protected, developed, and marketed, we have made it into a hell hole and people are instead of dying of pollution. People are becoming sick from the filthy practices that have made even the air poisonous. If the most essential element like air is not kept pure and healthy enough to breathe, then can we expect anything better to happen in this land, under these circumstances of clueless people and worthless government?
If we do not learn to manage our dirt, then we can only expect to be treated like dirt.
