NEPAL
The Mountain Kingdom
The Bishop’s School
La Jolla, CA
Frank Carr
January 2013
1
USAID Rule of Law Project
2005 – 2007
Kathmandu NGO




Improve the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society
Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation Law
Conduct training programs for mediators (Commercial Sector)
Work with the Nepal Supreme Court and Patan Appellate Court to
establish a court-referred mediation program
–
–
–


2
17,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court of Nepal
Drafted Court “Rules of Procedure for Mediation”
Trained judges and court staff
Establish Mediation Centers
Promote the use of mediation in the business community, Bar
Association, and Chamber of Commerce
NEPAL PRESENTATION AGENDA
BACKGROUND



3
Geography/Economics
History/Politics
Ethnic Groups/Religion
VISITING NEPAL



Tourism
Dining in Kathmandu
Travel Tips
NEPAL
Part 1
Background
4
Map of Nepal—South Asia
5
Map of Nepal--Elevations
6
ECONOMICS

Landlocked between two Asian powers - India and China (Tibet)
–

Mountains cover 80% of Nepal
–
–

In Nepal, Himalayas are 500 miles long and 145 miles wide at widest
Greatest range of altitude on earth - from 100M to 8848M in about 125
miles.
Population
–
–
7
Historically a trade route between these two countries
30 million people - 85% live in rural areas
Literacy rate is 49%

Annual Income of $240/person makes Nepal one of the poorest
countries in the world

Business is concentrated on agriculture, tourism, and water supply
ETHNIC GROUPS

Peoples
–
–
–
–

Principals
–
–

Co-existence
Tolerance (change – women’s rights)
Language
–
–
–
8
Mosaic – over 60 ethnic groups
Tibeto-Burmese people in the Himalayas
Thakalis, Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Newari and Rais/Limbus
Tibetan refugees
Many Languages and Dialects
Nepali
English Spoken
RELIGION

Hinduism – 81%
–

Buddhism – 13%
–

9
Visible in Schools
Islam – 4%
–

System of Philosophy and Code of Morality
Christianity – 1%
–

Hindu castes: Brahman to “Untouchables”
Border Area with India
Other – 1%
Religion - Hinduism






10
Polytheistic
Cycle of life, death and rebirth – Karma
Omnipresent God
– Shiva – destroyer and reproducer
– Vishnu - preserver
– Brahma - creator
Ganesh – God of prosperity and wisdom (elephant head)
Hanuman – trustworthy God (monkey)
Vishnu Incarnations – Ten lives
– Budda - Teacher
Religion - Buddhism

Gautama Budda
–
–

Three Main Schools
–

–

11
Vajrayana (Nepal and Tibet)
Dharma
–

India 6th Century BC
Achieved enlightenment
Teachings
Karma
Eye - symbol
Stupa –bell-shaped religious structure
Past Political History




700 BC Kirati Hindu Kingdom – Mongoloid People
300 BC Small Buddhist Kingdoms - India
300 AD Hindu Kingdom
1200 AD Golden Age of Mullas Kings
–


1769 Shah Kings - Unification
1767 - 1816 British East India Company
–

Constitutional Monarchy
1951 Shah Dynasty returns to power
–
12
Constant warfare
1846 Rana rule as Prime Ministers
–

Muslim Invasion
Rana PM ousted
Current Political History

1990 - Popular uprising - Constitutional Monarchy established
–
–
–
–





1996 – “Maoist” Insurgency
2001 – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince kills royal family and himself
2005 – King Gyanendra: declares emergency/dissolves government
2006 – Popular Uprising/King deposed/Parliament restored
Currently – Unsettled
–
–
–
13
King Birendra, Parliament and Courts
Constitution of 9 November 1990
 Guarantees human rights
 Abolished caste system
Numerous political parties arise
Various governments
Maoist join government
Numerous governments
What to do with the former King
NEPAL
Part 2
Visiting Nepal
14
Tourism

Scheduled
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Unscheduled
–
–
–
15
Kathmandap “Temple of the Living Goddess” - balcony
Mount Everest Flight – weather
Swayambhunath – Buddhist Stupa “Monkey Temple”
Pashupatinah – Shiva Hindu Temple
Bodhnath –Stupa
Patan – Museum and Museum Cafe
Durbar Square – Shopping
Tamel – Shopping for crafts
Pushapti Temle and Crematorium
Royal Museum – Former residence of King
Dining in Kathmandu

Hotel
–
–

Street Vendors
–

–
Numerous - Curry and rice
International – Interesting and affordable
–
–
16
Guide
Bottled water
Indian Restaurants
–

Interesting
Cafes and Restaurants
–

Avoid
Nepali Food and Culture Experience
–

Breakfast and variety
Bottled water
Fire and Ice – Thamel District Entrance - Very good pizza - Foreigners
Rumdoodle – Thamel District Inside – Good meat and pasta – Trekkers hangout
Travel Tips
#1 Preparation

Read the Information Packet
–

Health
–

–
–
17
ATM
Password
Notice to credit card company
Shots and Medication
–

Food
Money
–

Excellent Advice
Cipro
Communications
Travel Tips
#2 Environment

Smog
–

Roving Blackouts
–

Hand sanitizer
Bandt
–
–
–
18
Small flashlight at night
Cleanliness
–

If you have a breathing issue, be prepared
General strike
Tires burning
Easy to avoid
Travel Tips
#3 Safety

Crime is very low
–

Pickpockets at Patan
–
–

Cars, mini-buses, taxis, mopeds, bicycles, and animals
Monkeys
–
–
–
–
19
Street sellers
Be alert
Traffic
–

Secure your passport and money
Extremely Aggressive and protected
Do not feed
Do not carry food when touring a site with monkeys
Take off watches and jewelry
Travel Tips
#4 Shopping

Hotel
–

Thamel
–
–

Shops, street vendors, and individuals
Rules for Shopping
–
–
–
–
–
20
Small business shops
Crafts, jewelry, carpets, pashmina, tea, spices, and tee-shirts
Patan
–

Gift shops are priciest
Never pay the original price
Negotiate
Walk
Negotiate
Enjoy the experience
Travel Tips
#5 Have Fun
21

Experience the Nepali culture

Taste the different foods

Enjoy the sights

Meet the wonderful people of Nepal

Namaste
Current Political Situation

Constitutional Assembly
–

Parliament
–
–
–

–

Former King – Resides in Nepal/Crown Prince – Exile in Thailand
Mediation Law – Passed by Parliament
Women’s Rights
–
22
Justices 26 (2008) to 6 (2013)
No parliament = no appointment process
Royal Family
–

Interim 2007: Former members (208), Maoists (83), Civil Society (48)
Dissolved today
Political parties 9 (2008) to 30+ (2013)
Nepal Supreme Court
–

Appointed in 2008 to draft democratic constitution – failed
–
–
Interim Constitution of 2007 – equality a fundamental right
Gender Equality Act – repelled discriminatory laws
Domestic Violence Prohibition Act – protection from domestic violence
QUESTIONS
23