Cry for climate justice from Annapurna base camp

Kaski / The Annapurna Rural Municipality has raised a voice for climate justice from the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), calling for urgent measures to address the growing risks posed by climate change in the mountain region.The rural municipality, which suffered significant damage from floods, landslides and river erosion during this year's monsoon, held a special village executive meeting at the ABC on Wednesday. The Himalayan tourist destination is located at an altitude of 4,130 metres.Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairperson Bishnu Bahadur KC said the special meeting was organized to draw attention to the impacts of climate change in the mountain region and the need for climate justice, protection of the mountain environment and enhanced resilience of local communities to climate-related risks.Floods in the Modikhola and Kimrung Khola rivers in August and September damaged infrastructure, including hotels and roads, while Birethanti and Syauli Bazar remain at risk. The washing away of a paved road also disrupted direct road connectivity between the tourist village of Ghorepani and Pokhara for 40 days.The full extent of the damage caused by the disasters in the rural municipality has yet to be assessed."This year's monsoon has affected Annapurna Rural Municipality through floods, landslides and river erosion. In particular, erosion caused by the Modi River has inflicted significant damage in various parts of the municipality. We have drawn attention at the ABC to the impacts on local infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, tourism and the daily lives of local people,"