Nepal Prime Minister voices at New York on negative impact of climate change

New York, Sep 23 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said climate change had hindered the progress on programmes focused at achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Nepal.

Madhav Kumar, who is in New York, to attend the 64th United Nations General Assembly took part on the Opening Session of the High-Level event and Interactive Round table on Climate Change convened by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday.

Addressing a conference, Madhav Kumar Nepal said climate change has left a negative impact in the lives of millions of people in Nepal who are trying to come out of the vicious circle of poverty.

"Untimely rain, delay in monsoon and unanticipated floods and landslides that have become quite regular now have left a negative impact in the livelihood of people," he added.

He also said the melting of snow in the Himalayan region is increasing due to the global warming.

"Nepal had to face severe problems due to global warming, although Nepal's contribution towards emission of green house gases was less than 0.025 per cent," he added.

He also informed the international community that the Nepal government had formed separate ministry and high-level climate change council to tackle the environment and climate change related issues

"We have established a separate environment ministry, formed a high-level climate change council, Nepal said. We have prioritized tree plantation and protection and maintained forest in 39.6 percent of our land," he added.

He further urged for the establishment of an international fund to help the underdeveloped countries combat climate change as such countries lacked the resources to do so, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)