Nepali Army for Nation’s Development

Armed forces are the strong pillars and the power of the nation. They are not only a vital part of national security but if employed properly and effectively, they can also play significant role for overall development of the nation

http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/others/guestcolumn/apr/guest_columns_13.php
April 28, 2007

By Pankaj Pandey

Security is an important part of people’s well-being and is, therefore, an objective of development. Lack of security has adverse consequences on economic growth and poverty and, thereby, development. This lack of development or imbalanced development results in sharp horizontal inequalities, being a cause of instability. Hence for both developing and underdeveloped countries, it is essential to promote inclusive development to prevent instability. Policies towards security may become one part of development policy because in so far they enhance security, they will contribute to development; and policies towards development may become part of security policies because enhanced development increases security.

People may have the potential to do many things, yet this potential may be cut off or people’s sense of well-being may be seriously affected due to high levels of insecurity. Such insecurity includes the possibility of economic instability, health crises, and injury or death as a result of criminal violence. Violence may lead to the break-up of communities and families, forced migration and the need to re-establish lives in strange and alien environments, or even a suspended existence in refugee camps. There is no question that if such events are widespread, they have a serious negative impact on many people’s lives, and therefore adversely affect the achievement of development.

Development encompasses human rights, good governance, access to education and health care, and ensuring that each individual has opportunities and choices to fulfill his or her own potential, freedom from fear and the freedom of the future generations to inherit a healthy natural environment. These are the interrelated building blocks of human and, therefore, crucial for national security. Thus security is an important dimension of development.

Many critics have considered the armed forces wasteful and nonproductive institutions. Defense expenditures are viewed as a negative factor in under developed countries. However, given the social, political, and economic conditions in those countries, the armed forces play an important role in modernization, social change and on overall development.

Mahatma Gandhi expressed his view on the role of armed forces saying, "The military virtues of loyalty, unity, discipline and efficiency should be exploited during peace time, and the entire military establishment should be employed for the constructive economic and social programs." Nepali armed forces are considered scientifically well-developed organisations emphasizing the virtues of hard work, co-operation, discipline, honesty and integrity.

Besides its primary role of nation’s defense and internal security, the Nepali Army (NA) has been making worthwhile contribution in the fields of various types of construction, nature and wildlife conservation, relief works against natural calamities, havocs, disasters management etc. Armed forces have traditionally inherited these qualities and can be regarded as suitable organisations for fulfilling such tasks. By participating in such activities, Nepali armed forces have been playing an important role in society.

Nature Conservation and Wildlife Protection

Conservation activities are directly related with the development phenomenon. Conservation of natural flora and fauna related with ecological balance prevents soil erosions and natural disasters. Considering this fact, NA has been continuously involved in the conservation of National Parks and endangered species and other animals since 1975.

There are 22 protected areas covering some 26,921 sq. km in Nepal today. Among them, NA protects 11 most critical areas covering 9,767 sq. km. like the Suklaphant wildlife reserve, Bardia National Park , Lamtang National Park , Shivapuri National Park , Chitawan National Park , Sagarmatha National Park , Kosi Tappu wildlife reserve, Parsa wildlife reserve, Rara National Park , Shey-Phoksundo National Park and Khaptad National Park .

Road Construction

Concerned for the well being of the nation and the people, NA has gladly responded to Nepal 's quest for development. NA has been utilising its trained manpower and resources in support of the nation’s progress for many decades proving efficient, cost effective and dedicated machineries for development. The NA has been instrumental in opening up remote areas located in rugged mountainous terrain with a large number of road and bridging projects. The dedication of NA personnel and its institutional drive and integrity have made it possible for national planners to aim for more road projects at minimum costs.

Currently, the NA is involved in 12 road projects namely Katari-Okhaldunga (88 km), Salyan-Musikot (86 km), Surkhet-Jumla (232 km), Baglung-Beni-Jomsom (60 km), Besisahar-Chame (65 km), Chinchu-Jajarkot (107km), Musikot-Burtibang (145 km), Devsthal-Kinkanda-Chaurjahari (31km), Drabyashah Marg(45 km), Satdobato-Nibel-Baluwa (37 km), Gorkha-Manakamana (39 km) and Gorkha-Arughat-Arkhet (45 km). Besides these major road constructions, the Nepali armed forces are constantly engaged in track repair and bridge construction throughout the country.

Disaster Relief

Disasters are major incidents which cause serious disruptions to life, arising with little or no warning, causing deaths or serious injuries and rendering people homeless. In such crises, public services operating under normal procedures demand special mobilisation and prompt action. To respond effectively and quickly to such incidents, professionalism and organised effort of the armed forces are very effective. Consequently, the NA plays a major role in providing emergency assistance to the needy people all over the country.

Each disaster creates its own unique circumstances. NA has acted promptly during floods, earthquakes, avalanches, fires, landslides, air and other transportation disasters with its expert and professional manpower depending upon the situation and the magnitude of the disaster. NA plays a vital role in disaster relief operation like search and rescue, medical assistance and evacuation including Air Rescue and also provides for support of victims by mobilising all its resources.

Some of the incidents where the NA has saved many lives are the devastating earthquake of 1933, the damaging earthquake in east Nepal in 1988, rescue of passengers from the plane crashes of Pakistan International Airlines and Thai Airways and recently the rescue of flood victims at Banke and Bardia in August 2006.

Peace Keeping Operations

Nepali armed forces have been actively participating in various peace-keeping, observer and other miscellaneous UN missions in the international field since 1958 with the deployment of five military observers in Lebanon . This representation of Nepal in the international arena is definitely projecting a positive image. Consequently, it has brought forth better reimbursement for the nation and economic build-up for every army personnel .It is also a key player as a tourism messenger.

The first Nepalese contingent, Purano Gorakh battalion was deployed in Egypt in 1974. NA's participation in the UN peacekeeping operations spans a period of 48 years covering 29 UN Missions, in which over 56,298 Nepali soldiers have served in support of UN peacekeeping endeavors. The NA has contributed outstanding Force Commanders, elite military contingents, impartial military observers and dedicated staff officers. Their devotion to duty and excellent performance have been widely acclaimed. Nepali troops have taken part in some of the most difficult operations, and have suffered casualties in the service of the UN. Till date, 51 NA personnel have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while 54 have been disabled.

Its most significant contribution has been for peace and stability in Africa . It has demonstrated its unique capacity of sustaining large troop commitments over prolonged periods. At present, Nepal is ranked as the fourth largest troop contributing country in the UN.

Air Support

The Nepali armed forces operate its own air transport system which consists of aircrafts and helicopters. These aircrafts are being devoted to various rescue services for disaster victims, ferrying of development materials to remote areas in order to expedite the completion of rural projects and food delivery to remote areas and to sustain the administrative infrastructure of the government. So far, the air wing of the armed forces has saved hundreds of lives and drops thousands of tons of development materials and food in the remote areas.

Conclusion

Armed forces are the strong pillars and the power of the nation. They are not only a vital part of national security but if employed properly and effectively, they can also play significant role for overall development of the nation. Professional, effective and mechanized armed forces are the need of the today's modern world. Throughout its history, Nepali armed forces have worked towards the protection and preservation of sovereignty, national unity and national integrity - so it must be a matter of pride for every Nepali citizen.

Downsizing the Nepalese Army?

Downsizing the Nepalese Army?

By BIPIN ADHIKARI
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=78815

Nepal is at a military crossroads. The national army that was defending the state against the Maoists is back to the barracks following the declaration of the ceasefire by the government of Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists, and the commencement of the peace process.

This has led to a discussion about the rationale behind maintaining the current size of the national army, their capability, and whether the military modernization plan that started with 2002 should continue in the changed context.

No doubt, there is a necessity to take a balanced decision, because the economy of the country cannot continue to bear with the existing level of military expenditure without adversely affecting the much needed developmental projects, and many people are assured that the ongoing efforts towards political accommodation of the Maoists in the mainstream means that the internal challenges to democracy are about to be dried up. As such, some of the political activists have even started to lobby the SPA government to scale down Nepal's enhanced military outfit.

The context, however, is not so simple. While the economic logic is understandable, neither the nature of security threats to the government has changed, nor the strategic needs of the democratic parties at present. It need not be reminded here why the Maoists had failed to take over any piece of territory of Nepal despite so much of killing and grandiose propaganda. Moreover, the slack talk about restructuring and downsizing also tend to undercut the trust of the almost five-century old national army, which may vanish from the barracks, if this is what the government wants, but not from the country.

This leaves the country with challenges that are yet to emerge. Moreover, even the economic logic also largely springs from the poverty of mind rather than of economy. Until 1991, the military establishment of this country consisted of just an army of 35,000 personnel. Organized largely along British lines, the force included fourteen infantry brigades, an airborne battalion, an air defense regiment, a small air services wing, and a variety of independent infantry companies and supporting units. Not only were its soldiers insufficiently trained, the country also lacked the resources to equip its army with anything beyond obsolete imported weapons. The situation has changed now.

Over the last four years, the country has invested millions of dollars to modernize the national army, and enhance its skills and military capability, which have been an all ignored issue since the fall of Rana oligarchy in 1951. Downsizing them ignoring such heavy investment cannot be an economic decision at all. The challenge is to reposition the national army against the future – by re-developing strategies as to how to maintain the army at this level without making it a liability to the economy, and to the partners contributing to this country's defense.

Nepal has been one of the main troops-contributing country to the United Nations in its peacekeeping operations. These troops have taken part in some of the most difficult operations, and have suffered casualties in the service of the UN in all continents. Their professional excellence has won universal admiration. Compared to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, what Nepal is contributing to the UN is still negligible. Many of these duly trained excess soldiers can now be offered to the United Nations with a long term commitment.

They can enter the peacekeeping scene now with enhanced capacity (for example, several types of military aircrafts including Mi-17s, M28 Sky truck, ALH Lancer, Dhruv and the UK delivered two Islanders and two Mi-17s). With the increased strength of its soldiers, Nepal is now in a situation to revive its global image of robust soldiers.

Additionally, with a modest management and restructuring, Nepal can send many of these trained soldiers in the form of military engineering units, medical teams, commando units, army observers and hundreds of staff personnel to the UN. There is no reason why Nepal cannot take responsibility for some of the major medical and engineering responsibility of the UN the way China, India and Pakistan have undertaken (apart from its contributions to the normal peace keeping operations). No sooner there is a demand, Nepal can send technical reconnaissance units, light armored reconnaissance squadrons, motorized light infantry, armored infantry, helicopter squadrons, engineer battalions, and logistics battalions basically meant for the UN. The UN can be assured of Nepal's newfound capacity of sustaining large troop commitments over prolonged periods.

An additional opportunity for Nepal is also to offer its contribution to the proposed United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS) which would be a permanent agency able to set off for an emergency zone within 24 hours after UN authorization. The UNEPS will be equipped to take action in face of serious threats to human security and human rights; offer emergency services to meet critical human needs; assist in the establishment of institutions to maintain law and order; initiate peace building processes with focused incentives; and to restore hope for local people in the future of their society and economy. The Nepalese army is capable for this service as well.

There are a few smaller yet economically powerful and racially sensitive countries in the Asia Pacific region like Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand which are keen to develop anti-terrorist squads in the country. Nepal can discuss with them their need, and develop joint strategies with their national army in order to undertake specific security responsibility under some mutually convenient terms and conditions. Even Australia and New Zealand can take strong interest in this area. It is possible to have an economic strategy for the Nepalese army that helps it to adapt - that does not just hold them back – and find a role around the world.

The Singapore Police Force, for example, has already a Gurkha Contingent as a special guard force, currently used as a counter-terrorist unit. The force is deployed during a crisis or a state of emergency as an impartial reaction force in Singapore where racial harmony must be maintained. Their presence as a neutral force is considered important in Singapore because local police officers are often perceived for being (or are even expected to show) bias towards their own ethnic groups when handling racial disturbances, further fuelling discontent and violence.

With the increasing concerns against terrorism and the continued security threat Singapore and these other countries face, it is very likely that a mutually beneficial arrangements can be made going beyond such a Gurkha Contingent (being employed by Singapore as a temporary security measure). Many of these countries need neutral force in the interest of maintaining normal order in the border areas, to prevent and crack down on illegal activities across the border, such as smuggling of weapons, trafficking in narcotics and other contrabands, and similar other challenges. Nepal can take the help of the British government to empower it to negotiate with the third countries.

Geographically, Nepal is a vulnerable place. It is prone to natural disasters. So far Nepal does not have any agency to assure a coordinated response should something very catastrophic happen in Nepal. The national army is the only permanent emergency response service that this country so far has. It needs to be there with additional training and capacity building in the area of disaster management. The recent tsunami in Asia and earthquake in Pakistan has demonstrated that the army has a key role to play in coordinating the response to large-scale disasters. The international system cannot muster the emergency support to act in time to prevent them from spiraling into national crises.

With increased foreign investment, Nepal will need to build capability to protect its infrastructure, industries, private investment like major hydropower projects. Our existing civilian capacity in this regard will not be enough for this purpose.

In fact, what is needed is not downsizing of the trained armed force of Nepal, but the willingness to make its creative use in the changed context.

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