Nature, Food System and Ecosystem
by Sagar Koirala
Nepal is an agriculture-dependent country. Still, a large number of farmers live below the poverty line. On top of that, due to the high incidence of diseases and pests, the increasing use of chemical fertilizers, and unsustainable food practices, the health of people, crop ecosystems, and the soil is worsening day by day. That is what inspired me to try to change the food system and community where I live.
As an agriculture student and an advocate of sustainable food, I believe that we need to promote the consumption of healthy, plant-based, sustainable, naturally grown food as a lifestyle. To prevent food loss and waste, I believe greater efforts and campaigns are needed to ensure real create a global impact on a global scale. To contribute to this, I am working to improve resilience and adaptive capacity, mostly in rural mountain areas of the country, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.
I have been teaching in one of the most marginalized, poor, and economically deprived communities in Dhading district of Nepal. Around 65 % of the population consists of extremely poor and backward communities of Chepang, Magar, Gurung, and Tamang ethnic groups. I worked in the community to promote cultural diversity. I taught secondary level kids of the communities and provide them several exposure and opportunities. I engaged the kids and their guardians in tree plantation, commercialization of farms, income generation and other economic activities.
I feel happy to contribute to the development of poor, agrarian and marginalized communities. I have also fought for minority rights in several instances. I wish to contribute my life to the upliftment of indigenous and ethnic communities, promoting food security, promoting individual and basic rights of minorities, and engagement in various income generation activities.
I want to pursue a career in the climate sector and fight for climate justice for various ethnic groups. I want to mobilize youths from marginalized and indigenous communities and conduct awareness about pollution, environmental destruction the over-exploitation of natural resources and the killing of wildlife. In the future, I would like to see myself in a position where I can contribute to climate and environmental policies that bring about positive change in society. Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming must be promoted on a wider scale. To get there, we need to stimulate the use of climate-smart technologies in Nepal. It is all part of my dream of a more sustainable, inclusive for ethnic minorities, healthy, clean and green planet for everyone.
We are all part of this beautiful planet. We must be more considerate of other species living on this planet. The available natural resources should not be exploited in such a way that future generations will curse us for our wrong deeds.
Source
https://www.youthcolab.org/post/the-journey-of-a-climate-mover
About
Sagar Koirala is a youth, climate change and diversity advocate from Nepal.