Dear CHI List Member, We are writing you to seek your observations/comments on an interesting article that has been recently written by James Rinaldi of 'Himalayan Aid' based in Nepal, in a regional daily titled ' Flaw of Big Aid' (reproduced at CHI page : http://chimalaya.org/2013/01/24/flaw-of-big-aid/). This article raises questions about the efficiency and honesty of aid money that is pouring into mountain countries like Nepal, which, some feel, has been turned into a political playground by powerful neighbours in the north and the south and a holiday destination by far away interests in the west and in the east. Development, as per James argument, has been used as an excuse to keep the country in precarious status quo condition. Big Foreign Aid Agencies have gained from Nepal's strategic location from both ends: every gesture from China provokes India to open its purse. Big NGO's gain is Nepal's loss, provided the country counts all the so-called research chickens that do not hatch. What readers and thinkers feel about this is a welcome debate. To mention, apart from individual, corporate and government donors of developed countries, the financing is also going to many intergovernmental agencies like ICIMOD from the pockets of the people in developing countries like India. There are concerns related to judicious use of such funding and fulfilling the intended overall objectives of sustainable mountain development in the Himalayan region. Such questions were also raised during our previous discussion on Mountain Perspective <http://68faddb872ac46a88a90eb382919fa99-1328541826087.yola.embed.tal.ki/20120206/do-we-really-need-to-rewrite-the-mountain-per-1253594/> (Link>><http://68faddb872ac46a88a90eb382919fa99-1328541826087.yola.embed.tal.ki/20120206/do-we-really-need-to-rewrite-the-mountain-per-1253594/>), on overall perspective in terms of present scenario and development since Rio 1992 to Rio 20+. In that discourse majority of the opinions and facts were related to poor performances in achieving the SMD (Sustainable Mountain Development) agenda, given that huge funding was pumped in. Given that since Rio 1992 we talked about Sustainable Mountain development with a specific theme of 'mountain perspective', this time we are chasing the deserted and barren mountains through 'Green' businesses (pastures). In above context, we are requesting your observations/comments on this article at following links: At our Discussion Forum (by logging in): http://www.climatehimalaya.net/discussion-forum.php#/20130124/flaw-of-big-aid-2292985/ OR Directly in the comment box of article at http://chimalaya.org/2013/01/24/flaw-of-big-aid/ With warm regards K N Vajpai Environment Specialist and Convener CLIMATE HIMALAYA Knowledge. Innovation. Adaptation e: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> w: www.chimalaya.org<http://www.chimalaya.org> w: www.climatehimalaya.net<http://www.climatehimalaya.net> m: +91-7607481242 Started 2010, 'Climate Himalaya<http://www.chimalaya.org/>' initiative has become one important reference for governments, research institutions, civil society groups and international agencies having work and interest in the Himalayas. With thematic areas like mountain ecosystem, water, forest and livelihood, the Climate Himalaya team innovates on knowledge sharing, capacity building and climate adaptation in its focus countries of Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan. You are receiving this message because you are a leader of the community IPROMO Alumni Network<http://dgroups.org/cgiar/IPROMO>. All community leaders receive these notifications immediately regardless of their email settings for this community. -- -- You received this message as subscriber of Climate Himalaya Google group. To post to the group email at: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To unsubscribe from this group: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Web: www.chimalaya.org<http://www.chimalaya.org> email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> --------------- Started 2010, 'Climate Himalaya' initiative has become one important reference for governments, research institutions, civil society groups and international agencies having work and interest in the Himalayas. With thematic areas like mountain ecosystem, water, forest and livelihood, the Climate Himalaya team innovates on knowledge sharing, capacity building and climatic adaptation in its focus countries of Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan. --------------- --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "[Climate Himalaya]" group. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the IPROMO-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(IPROMO-L,SIGNOFF);