. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that the rights of indigenous nationalities should be institutionalized and handed over to the next generation.
Speaking at a program organized by the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities on the occasion of the 32nd International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (
, Minister Shrestha said that only securing rights was not enough, stressing on their effective implementation, protection and institutional development.
He said that World Day of the World’
s Indigenous Peoples is not only an occasion to celebrate but also to review the history, struggles and achievements of indigenous peoples and resolve to ensure the future of the next generation.
“We have been raising our voice for generations to protect our language, culture, heritage, identity, traditions, skills and self-respect. Those voices have been heard, but not enough,” Minister Shrestha said. Stating that the Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed proportional inclusion, social justice and rights in the areas of language, culture and identity, he said the federal democratic republic has created opportunities for the representation of diverse communities in various organs of the state.
He said the incumbent government has given importance to civilization, culture, biodiversity and human existence through its annual policy and programme and budget as well.
He stressed the need to preserve the heritages of religious, cultural, ecological and social importance, as well as the traditional skills and spiritual values of indigenous communities as the national heritage sites. Minister Shrestha pointed out the need for introspection on whether the rights of the indigenous nationalities were institutionalized or not.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
