UK Funds Nepal to fight Effects of Climate Change in Nepal

While Nepal is gearing up to raise issues of threats to Himalayas due to effect of climate change during the Copenhagen conference, it has got a copious amount of financial assistance from the UK government´s Department for International Department (DFID) as an aid to deal with the problems of climate change and deforestation.

Tony Burdon, deputy head of DFID Nepal, has recently announced 50 million pounds aid to help Nepal fight against the adverse impacts of environmental problems caused by climate change and deforestation. “We do not think it is sufficient but it is a start,” Burdon told at a press meeting in Kathmandu.

Out of the total amount, 40 million pounds will be spent on defense of forests by helping local people to use sparingly a living. Climate Change Officer at DFID Nepal, Simon Lucas said, “We would like to ensure participation of maximum local people in our reforestation program. DFID claims that in the past it has contributed towards reforestation in Nepal by at least 10 percent via various programs.

The remaining amount of the fund will be spent on helping local people to enhance their flexibility power to the impacts of climate change which consists of improving emergency warning systems, guarding endangered people from natural disasters and supporting community water schemes.

DFID’s aid about 172 million pounds to Nepal over the next three years which is already broadcasted comes as a part of the international initiative. In response to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s appeal earlier this year for an international financial scheme worth $100 billion to help developing countries to fight climate change, the European Union (EU) issued the amount with increase in the figure to $135 billion.