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| Ravi Dhungel Dhangadhi, Kailali |
Farwest, currently fifth
development region of Nepal and seventh state of the newly mapped Federal
Nepal, is talked often as land of economic possibilities and potentials. With
respect to its natural and non natural resources availability, the talk is
rational and logical. But what is not logical is the vision of negligence from
government as well as private sector of Nepal. The economic policy making at
government level seems to ignore the chance of obtaining benefits from economic
potentials widely spread in this region. The formulated policy lacks in
implementative level whether it is related to sectoral economic promotion or
infrastructure development for economic activities. Private sectors too are not
keen to start or expand their businesses and industries to this region. They
rate investment here is too risky as their exists no real favourable
environment and support for their business endeavors. They are right to certain
extent. But who else will do as they themselves are the potential doers. If
they do attempt for any business here in this region, the huge potentials of
mega economic activities will surely go idle. This is not to mean they have run
a marathon without a proper running track. The intervention of government is
key for making operating environment for them and it should participate
actively in economic activity promotion to this region primarily at strategy
and policy making level. If this is not done, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
expansion and economic growth of Nepal is not possible even after the
federalism. Considering the widespread variety and huge quantity of resources
Farwest stands as the base for future federal Nepalese economy.
Farwest has huge amount of
water resources. Many mini, micro and mega hydro-electricity projects can be
built around it. The big Pancheswar Project with a total capacity of 6720
Megawatt (Installed capacity 4800 Megawatt) stands as the big base for
industrialization in this region. This will solve the lack of electricity
problem and encourage commencement of new industries and expansion of other
operating industries around the country to this state. The project will itself
provide more than twenty thousand employment opportunities during its
operation. After its completion and expected rapid industrial growth in this
region, Farwest will stand as key employment hub for people from other states
of the country. Along with this, the hydro-electricity projects like West Seti
and Chameliya are going to make this state as the key supplier and transmitter
of electricity to other states of the Federal Nepal. Further, with the
completion of Pancheswar and irrigation projects like Ranijamara, more than 40%
of the productive non irrigated land will be well-irrigated with estimated rise
in crop productivity of 20-30% in the state. There will be surplus crop
production than the need of the state which can be starving states and help to
survive the people living there. Additionally, it can be a hunting home for
water and adventure tourism as its river and water sites are rated as one of
the best destination by many international tourism and adventure organizations.
If well developed, only this will increase revenue from tourism by 2-5%.
It also has tremendous
variety of non-water natural resources which can be significant contributor to
future federal Nepalese economy and it’s GDP. It consists of more than 300
species of vegetation. Most of them can be used for herbal medicines. Some of
these are so rare and can be found in few numbers in other states and countries
around the world. Herbal medicine industries and processing industries of herbs
like Yarsagumba, Paanchaaule, Harrro, Barro and others found in upper-hilly and
mountainous region of the state can be established. The medicine produced from
these could be base for herbal medicine practice in the country. A research by
NADPA (Nepal Ayurvedic Drugs Producers Associations) shows that with these
industries, Farwest can supply around 11-16% of herbal medicine needs of Nepal along
with possible remarkable share in Nepalese herbal export. Another scope for
Farwest for being the base of future federal Nepalese economy is its tourism. Conventional
site seeing, mountaineering expedition, home stay, trekking through new routes,
river rafting, adventure sports, wildlife and vegetation observation etc. are
possible tourism scope in this region. These opportunities are the future base
to lengthen the stay duration of tourists in Nepal which is only 12-15 days at
this time. This can work as catalyst to increase the national tourism revenue
as the longer the tourist stay, higher will be their expenditure.
Farwest is enriched with mineral mines like
mica, copper, coal and petroleum. Nepal has to be dependent on India for
petroleum products. The utilization of petroleum resource found in Kailali and
Kanchanpur could be base for solving petroleum scarcity problems seen in recent
days. The literacy rate of the region is rising as per population census
conducted at different times. The literacy rate of the region has already gone
to around 50% which shows high level of learning in the region. The literate
people more active in economic activities at rural, urban and foreign
employment. This has contributed in making the economically active population
more conscious on learning skills and being competent. The declining child
mortality rate, reducing maternal mortality rate, satisfactory immunization
programmes etc. are good signs for improving health status of the residents
here. High flow of remittance from foreign employment has improved the living
standard of urban, semi-urban and rural communities of the region. This means the
populations here are becoming financially strong for making high and heavy
expenses. This has opened new gates for national and multi-national companies
for their quality products. This is base for new small to large entrepreneurial
activities. Along with this, its linkage with both Indian and Chinese borders
is the scope for easy bilateral and third country trade with both the
countries. Farwest has the opportunity of grabbing its geographical position
being bridge between Indian and Chinese trade in its favour in form of tax and
non-tax benefits. The Indian roadways and railway expansions will surely fasten
the accessibility of the region to key Indian cities like New Delhi, Lucknow,
Kanpur and Deheradun. This is the base for faster trade, tourism and pilgrimages
between the countries.
The
above discussed economic potentials and perspectives of this region has been
based on various statistical and judgmental evidences. There is nothing new in
saying it as a pearl of potential as it has been said so far like this many
times. What need to be understood is that it has huge role to play in future
federal Nepalese economy in different aspects. All these precious potentials
should be linked with national economic planning and policy making. Only this
will help in attaining the recent objective of National Planning Commission to
reduce the current poverty level of 24% down to below 5% and national GDP of
double digit growth by the end of 2030. The best answer to the question of who
to make effort for achieving this goal is private sector, the government itself
and integration of public-private role where required in economic phenomenon. As
mentioned earlier, Farwest is the key component of future industrialization,
tourism, employment, agriculture, wildlife, vegetation, mines, supplier of
vital natural resources, labor force and capital. This is enough to claim it to
be the forefront pillar of future Nepalese economy. That's why, it should not
neglected and farsighted at planning level, strategy formulation level for
economic welfare, economic policy making level, public and private business
commencement and expansion and government budgetary allocation. By these deeds
only this wonderful base for future Nepalese economy could be the backbone of
the national economy of the country. If this is not done, this amazing fertile
base of future federal Nepalese economy is sure to be idle and possible skyscraper
of economic growth, development and prosperity along with higher GDP of Nepal
is not accomplishable at rapid pace letting the nation to be still behind in
global economic horizon.
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