At a time when Nepal’s mountains are under a severe threat of disaster due to rampant road construction, speakers at Symposium on Carbon Neutral Pathways in Nepal with a Special Focus on Ropeways and Electric Transport stressed the need to choose ropeways and electric transport.

According to a book published by Nepal Water Conservation Foundation and Kathmandu Electric Vehicle Alliance in 2004, the Ropeways in Nepal revealed that ropeway technology is both mountain friendly and climate friendly.

The book said that ropeways are eight times faster than an equivalent green road. It said ropeways run on Nepal hydroelectricity, especially small hydro in the rural areas, whereas energy for trucks on roads comes from imported diesels.

Organized by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, Toni Hagen Foundation and Lund University for Sustainable Development, scientists, experts and politicians took part in the program.

Vice chancellor of NAST professor Jeba Raj Pokharel welcomes the remarks and academician of NAST Dipak Gyawali over the symposium.

Presenting his paper Possibility of Application of Renewable Energy inn Transport Sector in Nepal, Jagnath Shrestha said Nepal is almost 137 percent of total expert earnings in importing petroleum products. Bhusan Tuladhar and Santosh Shrestha presented the paper on challenges of settlement mobility in newly created rural towns and potential for electric transport.

Similarly, Bhim Upadhyaya presented paper on graduating upwards from suspension bridge to ropeways and cable care the challenge of marrying two mature industries of Nepal small hydro and suspension bridges.

Assessing carbon dioxide saving by ropeways and emissions, Rameshwar Mandal and PK Jha discussed how ropeways reduce the emissions. Karuna Sharma, Winrock International, Sher Bahdur Budha, CEO of Sajha Yatayat and Bibek Chapagain of Norwegian Embassy took part in the discussion.

In second session, reflecting on experiences with ropeways, Guna Raj Dhakal shared his views on building ropeways and mechanized bridges. Sujan Piya and Ganesh R. Singaekna presented their views on Practical Action experiences on carbon neutral pathways in Nepal a special focus on ropeways. Taranath Sapkota presented his paper on goods carrying rope ways an experience.

Bir Bahadur Ghale, Ghale Gaun, Ganesh Pathak Nepal Cable Car, Shyam Sunder Shrestha and Juerg Merz, Helvetas shared their views.

Chaired by Er. Ganesh Shah, former minister of Science, Technology and Environment and Cochair by National Planning Commission Member Prof. Govinda Nepal, Ratna Sansar Shrestha presented a paper on Sailent Features of Carbon Neutral Transport Policy of Nepal.

Stephan Biggs (SOAS), Scott Justice (CIMMYT) and Dipak Gyawali Academician NAST presented paper on Small Engines and Huge Impact: Whither the Academia in Policy Discourse and Rural Mechanization. They argued that how small engines can bring a drastic change in the livelihood of rural people particularly in Bangladesh.

Moderated by academician Gywali, speakers interacted with Rabindra Adhikari, chairman of Development Committee of Legislature Parliament. Concluding the program Dr. Katrin Hagen, Toni Hagen Foundation, stressed that Nepal needs to expand ropeways.