Dipa Bohora Aaathbis, Dailekh
“Old folks share stories of how fishes were abundant here in Rakam. They were easy to catch because there was plenty. However, at the time they did know how how to store the fish. So sometimes they would get sick from stale fish. Hack in the day they did not sell fish. They only caught a few for their daily meals. I remember when I came here after marriage, fish would be served in every household. Now if I want to have fish I have to order in advance. Rakam is said to be popular for fish. But these days, we have a difficult time finding it for ourselves.
I have always been close to nature. When I was a girl I remember bathing in the Karnali. We could open our eyes in the water. The environment was pristine and the water was crystal clear. We drank that water and never got sick. When I was in college my love for nature attracted me to environmental studies. I understand the importance of the environment, birds and animals and all aquatic beings. I also have learned about global warming and how it is affecting us directly or indirectly. There used to be a lot of vultures around here, and sparrows and Mainas. They would nest in our orchards but now they are gone. It makes me sad that I don’t see them anymore. I remember if I threw some seed on the soil, crops would easily grow but now the soil has also lost its minerals. Without fertilisers, nothing is growing. You see, rain patterns are also changing. It rains less and when it does it floods fields and crops.
There are a few things we have done wrong. We have only focused on development. Most of the budget of the municipality gets spent on construction – road, bridges and buildings. As a deputy mayor, I have created a fund for the empowerment of women but unfortunately, the funds are not being used at the speed it is intended to. I have also raised concerns about the construction of roads that do not follow protocol and do not abide by the guidelines we have set for the conservation of trees but not everyone takes these matters seriously. Although I keep bringing it up and they keep ignoring me, I am not the kind of woman who can be silenced.
Recently, we advocated that the road in ward 7 be built in a way so that it is environment friendly. We submitted guidelines that outlined the preservation of trees, soil and wildlife. But a lot of it was curtailed by the province and then by the centre. When it was built a lot had been compromised. There is also a clear lack of awareness amongst government institutions and representatives. But I am proud that some progress has been made. We have introduced the local aquatic animal and biodiversity conservation act and allocated a budget for the road initiative and the alternative livelihood of fisher communities. I just hope that all of us public representatives can come together and implement this. Without implementation, rules and laws are futile.Even though some things are distressing, I see local champions doing what they can to conserve nature. They use their traditional methods but they can only do so much. They only take a little from nature and always give back. But those who want to profit from nature only take and never give back. There is a lot of short-sightedness and lack of ownership when it comes to conservation.And as a woman, I feel discriminated against several times. It is a patriarchal society. Recently, a young pregnant woman jumped into the Karnali with her 4 children. All 6 of them died. The eldest boy had a new recharge card in his pocket and an unopened noodle packet. We found out that the mother had jumped into the river with the children because her husband has been torturing her. He is in jail now but some people are advocating for their release. Mostly men who do not understand women. They say, “Everyone drinks, everyone beat up their wife once in a while, but not everyone jumps into the river.” I shout at them and shame them in public. But there are many with this mentality. They think women should suffer. So these men do not listen to women. About anything, be in conservation or be in the equal right. But like I told you I am not the kind of woman who they can stop. I am not the kind of woman who they can silence.I will keep talking about nature and I will keep talking about conservation. Because every night I am afraid for the future that our children will be raised in. Without wildlife, without trees and without happiness.”
Dipa Bohora, Aaathbis, Dailekh
