Environmentalist Agenda for Sworn in Nepali Marxists

Environmentalist Agenda for Sworn in Nepali Marxists

April 1, 2007

Katmandu- During the unveiling of their eight point ecological protection and restoration plan, newly sworn in Marxist MPs have criticized the Nepali Royal Family for failing to protect Yeti habitat.

“It is a royal shame that the ruling class has done so little to protect the habitat of this elusive creature,” said Maoist leader, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda. “They have done nothing to stop rampant the (sic) deforestation of the foothills of the Himalayas- even going as far as to welcome imperialist Chinese and Indian logging companies.”

Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, was quick to defend the government’s actions. “No one appreciates the sacredness of the Yeti more so than the royal family and members of government.” Koirala was quick to point out that he was against the logging, but also said that it was done outside of the Yeti’s range. “Not to point fingers, but much of the Yeti’s habitat is located in areas that the Marxists have controlled for the past ten years. They are responsible for any logging and environmental degradation [of those areas.]”

A key portion of the Yeti’s habitat that remained in government control during the ten year civil war was a national forest reserve. “Do not let the fact that it is a reserve fool you,” said Prachanda. “It has long been known that there are plans to build a hydroelectric dam there. That is why they have allowed imperialists to desecrate our forests and mountain waters.”

Koirala declined to comment further on the logging of national forest reserves and stated that he “has no knowledge whatsoever of plans for hydroelectric development in Nepal.”

The Yeti, an apelike creature, inhabits the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet. Little is actually known about its life cycle and the size of its range. Many mountain villagers of Nepal say that the best time to spot a Yeti is when it migrates to lower elevations for the winter. “One followed us from Makalu to Chamlang when I was a boy,” said a veteran Nepali mountain guide who wishes to remain anonymous. “You must never say your name when talking about the Yeti or he will kill you and your family for exposing his secrets,” he said.

Despite the harsh criticism of the government’s environmental policy, the five new Marxist MPs said that they will work directly with government agencies and international wildlife organizations to support research and better protect this endemic species. “We must not allow ourselves to argue excessively or else we could fail to protect our nation’s natural resources,” said Prachanda.