Climate change meeting kicks off on top of world
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The historic high-altitude cabinet meeting of Nepali government held to draw the global community's attention toward climate change and its impact on melting Himalayas has come up with a 10-point "Everest Declaration" Friday.
The cabinet meeting presided by Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was held at Kalapatthar, the Base Camp of Mt. Everest (Qomolangma) at a height of approximately 5,164 meters.
"We have successfully conducted our historic cabinet meeting. We would like to thank all the people who have assisted us, supported us and given us help and support to make this event a grand success," said Prime Minister Nepal in a press conference organized at Syangboche near Everest Base Camp after cabinet meeting.
"Mt. Everest (Qomolangma) is an icon of world environment. The 2,700-km East-West range of Himalayas and 1.3 billion people's civilization, their culture and tradition, natural heritage and tourist development has contribution."
He added that he would urge the developed countries to look at the impact of the climate change on the poor countries while attending the Climate Change summit in Copenhagen.
Global issue of climate change has negative impact not only on Himalayas and millions of lives living in this arena but also the environment, social-economic development, natural vegetation and tourist development sector, said Nepal addressing the press conference.
Due to climate change, threat of natural calamities like drought, flood, landslide, famine, glacial outbrust is increasing, he added.
"Through Everest Declaration-2009, we would like to express our collective commitment to climate change and open the financial support sector," Nepal said.
To protect the Mt. Everest (Qomolangma) and rest of the Himalayan range from melting down due to the global warming, Nepali government has declared "Everest Declaration-2009."
To conserve the vulnerable Himalayas form climate change, to draw the attention of global community, Nepal will cooperate with South Asian nations and the rest of the world, the prime minister said reading the first point of "Everest Declaration-2009."
To launch a public awareness campaign in the national level to highlight the adverse impact of climate change on local habitants and life style, especially the marginalized people.
The cabinet also decided to extend the territories of Api-Nampa conservation area in Darchula district, Gauri Shankar conservation area in Ramechhap and Dolakha districts as well as to extend Bardiya National Park.
With the Everest Declaration, the government has committed to increasing the conservation areas in the country from 20 percent to 25 percent and consolidating 40 percent forest area. It also focuses on raising awareness on climate change issues and seeking international commitment and support to address the issues.
The cabinet also decided to add the Banke National Park as a new national park.
A team of around 110 people comprising the 24 Nepali ministers including Prime Minister Nepal, national and international journalists, health and technical teams attended the event.
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