Kathmandu – Minister of Forest and Environment, Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has committed to including climate change issues in the school syllabus.
Speaking at a program organized by News Agency Nepal titled ‘The Role of Youth in Climate Change,’ the Minister emphasized that climate change should be made a compulsory subject in school education. He further mentioned that the government is in the process of incorporating climate change topics into educational syllabus.
Minister Thakuri also highlighted that addressing climate change cannot be the responsibility of the Ministry of Forest and Environment alone. Instead, he believes it must begin at the local level, with a strong emphasis on raising awareness. He stated that the government is taking the concerns of the youth seriously and is actively working to implement the voices of young people.
The Minister revealed that the government is preparing to pass a youth policy in the near future, aimed at amplifying the voices and concerns of the youth. He also stated that the upcoming national budget will prioritize youth participation and activism in addressing climate change.
“The Ministry of Forest and Environment is seriously considering the issues of youth,” Minister Thakuri said. “We are working to implement the concerns of young people. A framework has been established to address youth issues from the local to the national level. We are preparing to pass the youth policy soon.”
Speaking at the program, General Manager of Gorkhapatra, Lal Bahadur Airi, emphasized that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of empowerment. He noted that the impacts of climate change extend beyond the environment, affecting political, economic, social, identity, and cultural aspects.
Airi stressed the importance of debating and discussing the issue to inform future generations about the challenges of climate change. He added that the issue should not be viewed only in the context of the Climate Change Conference (COP) but should be recognized as directly relevant to our daily lives.