Indifferent NAST helps illegal foreign researchers’cause

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, May 14

The nation was endowed with a sophisticated science laboratory, thanks to a gift from the generous Italian government.

But, over the years, Nepal Academy and Science and Technology (NAST) — the only scientific autonomous body in the country — has evinced little interest to take pro-active interest for optimum utilisation of its rich resources.

NAST’s reluctance is helping the foreign scientists and researchers’ cause.

They keep coming to Nepal masquerading as tourists as scores of travel agencies are only too eager to play facilitator for a few dollars more.

No wonder, the visitors cock a snook at obtaining permission to carry out their research.

The hi-tech Pyramid Laboratory, which was established for high altitude research, has become all but defunct, thanks to gross national negligence.

But nobody seems to be bothered even as a huge team from NASA is on a visit to Nepal these days. Their trip has been organised by a trekking organisation — the most convenient route for such operations.

Presently, the team is camping in the Mt Everest region with all its research equipment in tow.

Dr Purushottam Ghimire, joint-secretary, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, maintained that foreign researchers should abide by all rules and regulations.

“We will not allow them to study in our country without permission. Though the NASA’s team has not obtained any legal clearance, we understand that they are carrying out research at the higher altitude,” he said.

“To make matters worse, the Nepali scholars don’t hesitate to chase them around, thanks to the lure of a quick buck. They assist these foreign researchers, who are indulging illegal activities,” he explained.

Hari Kumar Shrestha, country representative, EvK2 National Research Council (EvK2CNR), an Italian initiative, echoed a similar apprehension.

“Foreigners come here posing as tourists. But many conduct researches on the sly. Perhaps, this has got to do with the fact that it’s a tedious process to obtain permission from the government.

While, tourists are allowed to go in most parts of the country sans any prohibition,” reasoned Shrestha.

EvK2CNR was the brain behind setting up of the Pyramid Laboratory/Observatory in 1989. It is located at 5,050 meters at the base of Mt Everest, aiming to safeguard the high altitude fragile ecosystem in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Hi-malayan region, which includes parts of Nepal, Pakistan, Tibetan Autonomous Region and India.

It focuses on earth sciences, environmental sciences, medicine, physiology, anthropology, and development of new technologies, according to NAST, a major collaborator with EvK2CNR.

The Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, ICIMOD, IUCN, WWF and the Department of Hydrology and Metrology are also involved with the Italian organisation in some way or the other.

Dr Dinesh Raj Bhuju, chief, science faculty, NAST, owned up to the poor utilisation of Pyramid Laboratory/Observatory.

“It’s true that it has immense potential, including exploration to the space. But, we failed to make good use of it due to certain teething infrastructure inadequacies.

Though, we have enough manpower, severe financial crunch has been a major constraint,” he said.

While a source at NAST maintained that no scientist preferred to stay at the laboratory despite the best of facilities for high altitude studies.

“There is only person, Bijuli Baje, an electrician, who seems to enjoy his stint up there,” he added.

Shrestha argued about the ownership rights of the hitech facility.

“It is NAST’s property. We want it to be handed over to us at the earliest. A process to this effect was initiated in 2007. But nothing came of it since then ,” he said.

While, Bhuju was candid enough to admit that NAST was in no position to bear the laboratory’s high maintenance cost.

“Be that as it may, we must operate for own advantage.

It makes sound business sense. Unfortunately, Italian and other European scientists, who are keen to conduct their researches in a legal manner, are now flocking to EvK2CNR’s laboratory in Pakistan. However, that facility is far inferior. But, the Unified CPN-Maoist’s activities and policies have prompted them to take this decision. This is a huge loss for us,” alleged Shrestha.

Prof Karan Bahadur Shah, a researcher, elaborated on the logistical problem at hand.

“No foreigner has got permission to conduct research for the past few years due to strict domestic laws.

This has led to a spurt in illegal activities like rampant smuggling of indigenous resources,” he said.

Allegations are now flying thick and fast that some foreigners have actually managed to obtain patent rights on local resources in blatant violation of the intellectual property rights.

Dr Keshab Shrestha, chief, Natural History Museum, expressed concern about the growing trend.

“We must wake up these threats and pull out all stops to curb them for national interest,” he said.

This news article was published in THE HIMALAYAN TIMES on May 15, 2009.