First Metropolitan Mayors' Conference concludes in Pokhara

The first Metropolitan Mayors' Conference has concluded in Pokhara. The conference took place in Pokhara on July 29 and 30.

The main themes of the conference focused on the sustainable continuity, protection, and promotion of the federal state system, as well as ensuring green, resilient, and equitable development through the role of metropolises. The conference attempted to address shared issues amidst the distinct identities of local governments.

"Local levels have different problems. Among them, metropolises face a lot more challenges, and among metropolises, Kathmandu's problems are unique," Kathmandu Metropolis Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) stated at the conference. "Other municipalities should not have to suffer the problems Kathmandu has faced."

Giving the example of water management, Mayor Shah said, "Despite having its own watershed area, Kathmandu is forced to face a water crisis. Systems like traditional canals (Rajkulo), ponds, and stone spouts (Dhungedhara) for water distribution were destroyed by urbanization. The mindset that wealthy people must live in concrete-slab houses added concrete to the city, leading to the destruction of natural systems. Speaking as an engineer, Kathmandu might not need 100-story buildings right now."

Raising issues such as water supply, waste management, drainage, and rainwater management, Mayor Shah expressed that the current situation arose because work was not done based on the concept of sustainable development. "Future generations should not remember our tenure in that light. Therefore, we will work for sustainable development even if we have to endure difficulties right now," he added.

Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and Chief Administrative Officers of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Birgunj, and Biratnagar Metropolitan Cities participated in the conference.

On the first day of the conference, former Chairperson of the National Planning Commission and regional planner Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel delivered a presentation on "Federalism, Metropolises, and the Way Forward." During the conference, the mayors exchanged experiences regarding major plans and implementation challenges. Deputy mayors shared their experiences and learnings from the past two months regarding the execution of responsibilities designated by laws related to local government operation.

"Mutual learning makes it easier to identify areas that need improvement," said Metropolis Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, noting that the conference was fruitful from the perspectives of local government strengthening, local governance operation, and management.

Chief Administrative Officers exchanged experiences regarding the implementation status of acts issued for local government operation. The first day of the conference also featured a synthesis session on the shared issues of the metropolises.

On the second day, infrastructure expert Dr. Surya Raj Acharya presented on infrastructure development, good governance, and robust project management in metropolises. Similarly, Dr. Ajay Chandra Lal and Saroj Basnet presented on the essential possibilities of green, resilient, and sustainable development in metropolises. Group discussions were held on urban development, shared service delivery issues, and future directions.

Photo: Binaya Shakya

News source - www.metronews.kathmandu.gov.np