Ncell and UNDP have signed MoU to promote sustainable development in Nepal. The collaboration will encourage riding bicycles for healthy lives and healthy cities.
UNDP (The United Nations Development Programme) and Ncell Axiata Limited have partnered for a campaign to promote sustainable development solution that includes promotion of cycling for healthy lives and healthy cities in Nepal under the Sustainable development Goals initiative.
UNDP Resident Representative Ayshanie Medagangoda Labe and Ncell CEO Andy Chong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) virtually today on June 4.
The MoU was signed on the eve of World Environment Day 2021. Ncell, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), will contribute to further expand the coverage of the cycle campaigns in other cities outside the valley. The campaign will utilize existing technologies to track, map, credit, and reward cycling for healthy cities.
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Cycling For Health And Cleanliness
The cycling campaign is urban-centric. Greenway, The cycle campaign, first began in January 2021 with the objective of promoting sustainable urban transportation and environment-friendly lifestyle choices for those inhabiting the cities. The cycling programs demonstrate how they can serve as an alternative mode of transport that is clean, healthy, as well as affordable for daily commuters in cities.
The Greenway Campaign expects to encourage the use of bicycles or switch to bicycles through a game that incentivizes cyclists with rewards. and also favors clean businesses that sponsor and take part in the game.
The campaign pitches for increased investment in cycle-friendly, safe infrastructure encouraging city commuters to opt for cycling for health, economic, environmental as well as COVID-related safety reasons.
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Cycling to Improve Urban Life
“Through this MoU, UNDP and Ncell set our shoulders to the wheels and set them in motion. Simply put, to keep fit, to save lives and protect the planet,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal, Ayshanie Medagangoda Labe.
She stressed the effectiveness of public-private partnerships to achieve urban sustainability outcomes. She stated the collaboration will help to alleviate air pollution, traffic congestion, and road safety. As a result, the quality of life will improve for the millions of city-dwellers in Nepal.”
likewise, Ncell CEO Andy Chong expressed his joy in their association with UNDP. Emphasizing the benefits of cycling, he said, “the campaign has potential to transform the way we travel in cities.”
He also highlighted the parent company Axiata’s journey to becoming a net-zero carbon company,”
The Program Compliments Government’s Larger Ambition
Nepal Government’s National Plan for Electric Mobility (NPEM) aims to cut fossil fuels by 50% in transport by 2050. The government seeks to improve air quality through proper management of old and unmaintained vehicles and industries.
The goal is to motivate people towards riding bicycles over petroleum-run transport. Thus, these cycling events in cities, could compliment the governments’ sustainable development ambition and help reach the target.
Shailendra Dongol, President of Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN) has branded the campaign a “win-win game due to its accessibility to everybody.” He added, “Anyone with or without a smartphone can participate and enjoy the perks, while also keeping up the wellbeing of themselves and their cities.
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The Greenway App
CCNN President Dangol also talked of Greenway, the mobile app to empower the cycling campaign. He said the app followed countless tests and trials before becoming a fully functioning game app. He called on everyone to join in and take benefit from the campaign.
With Kathmandu making new series of records in worse air quality indexes, it is imperative that all the stakeholders play their part to improve the environmental conditions. Cycling has been trending in Nepal with renewed health consciousness and Go Green concepts.
And not just the capital, sustainable development solutions is the need for every area. Cycling can is one ideal way of daily commute that is eco-friendly, clean, and economically feasible too. It can minimize traffic congestion, air pollution and also help for better traffic management in city areas.
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What is your take on Ncell and UNDP’s collaboration to promote cycling campaigns? Have you participated in such cycling programs before or eager to? You can leave your valuable opinions below in the comments section.
