Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) has announced the launch of the ‘First Sustainable Development Experimental Village in Nepal’ in Tarakeshwar Municipality of Kathmandu.
The announcement was made amid an event organized at Tarakeshwar Secondary School in Tarakeswhar Muncipality-2 on Monday. The event was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, Mayor of Tarakeshwar Municipality Krishna Hari Maharjan, Secretary General of China Foundation Chen Hong Tao, Former Defense Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan, former Chief Secretary and Ambassador of Nepal to China Lila Mani Paudel, Chief Administrative Officer of Tarakeshwar Municipality Dr. Krishna Bahadur Ghimire and Director of China Foundation for Rural Development Nepal Office Zhao Zhiqiang.
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Maharjan emphasized the importance of comprehensive research before initiating any development endeavor. He stated that sustainable development goals cannot be achieved without proper research. Maharjan said his municipality was focusing on sectors like education, health, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure development.
According to the CFRD, a needs assessment study was conducted in the municipality in 2022. Based on the outcomes of the study, the CFRD initiated various comprehensive development projects in the region, including the construction of a village-wide water system, a school feeding project for children’s nutrition, the panda pack project, and a vocational skills training program for vegetable planting, among others.
The CFRD has invested over 5 million RMB (approximately Rs 100 million) to support integrated development in the area, benefiting around 10,000 individuals, according to a statement issued by the CFRD.
During the launch event, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, expressed his views on the sustainable development initiatives implemented in the village. He emphasized that the project has brought significant benefits to the community and has furthered the China-Nepal friendship. “China has consistently prioritized a people-centered approach and has been dedicated to eradicating poverty. Poverty is a shared enemy of humanity, and development plays a crucial role in addressing all poverty-related challenges. We are eager to share our experience in poverty alleviation with Nepal,” he added.
China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFRD) is the sole Chinese NGO engaged in long-term projects in Nepal. With a decade of experience in disaster relief and management in China, the foundation promptly responded to the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, mobilizing teams and resources for rescue and relief efforts from the second day of the disaster. The CFRD established its office in Nepal on August 13, 2015, with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, to facilitate post-disaster reconstruction.
After three years of post-disaster reconstruction, CFRD began assisting the Nepali people in addressing their livelihood development needs. The foundation has effectively connected its experience in poverty alleviation work in China with Nepal’s poverty alleviation initiatives. CFRD’s projects in Nepal encompass health, education, water and sanitation, community development, and emergency rescue, among other sectors. The foundation has implemented nearly 15 aid development projects across 57 districts in 7 provinces of Nepal, contributing to the country’s sustainable development.
