Gorkha, September 21
A group of youths who had been staging an indefinite hunger strike at the Manaslu Base Camp since Friday has suspended their protest after the Gandaki provincial government and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) pledged to take necessary steps to address their demands.
The youths had launched the hunger strike under the leadership of Dhawa Nurbu Lama of Samagaun in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1, Gorkha, raising various demands including measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
On Sunday, the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers publicly appealed to the protesters to suspend the hunger strike and come to the negotiating table, saying their demands could be addressed through discussions and dialogue.
The provincial government said it was positive about coordinating with the federal government, local governments and other concerned agencies to ensure appropriate action on the issues raised by the protesters.
MCAP also urged the youths to withdraw their hunger strike and seek solutions through dialogue. It pledged to take the necessary initiative to address their demands.
The protesters had warned that the risks posed by climate change, including the possibility of glacial lakes bursting, were increasing and urged the government to take timely measures to reduce such risks.
A team of 10 youths had been staging the hunger strike at the Manaslu Base Camp since Friday.
