Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's recent statement of 'gifting a tiger' has raised many questions in the public mind. As a responsible leadership personality, your every expression should be serious and thoughtful.

However, such irresponsible and light-hearted expressions only create discontent among the people. It has also raised a big question about Nepal's biodiversity conservation efforts. Didn't we learn a lesson by sending the youth abroad in the name of labor and making the villages of the country empty? Now why the thought of making the forest empty by giving a gift to the tiger? Nepal has created an exemplary image in the world in tiger conservation.

Nepal's efforts to increase the number of tigers as an endangered species are commendable. Many international forums have praised Nepal for this. In such a situation, presenting an idea like 'giving a gift to a tiger' weakens our moral responsibility. Conservation of biodiversity is an integral part of any country's identity and wealth. Taking it lightly damages our identity.

We have not been able to come up with a solid policy to stop the loss of the country's labor force by sending millions of young people abroad in the name of foreign employment. Rural areas are becoming devoid of youth. In such a situation, the proposal to vacate the forest now is nothing more than mere gossip. The priority of the government should be to create jobs within the country, promote tourism and make conservation of biological diversity a source of prosperity. Prime Minister, your every word and deed should reflect the responsibility of leadership. Expressions need to be balanced and fact-based to make people think seriously and strengthen their confidence in the government. Such cheap gossip reduces the height of leadership. Please focus on concrete planning and implementation to lead the country to the path of prosperity.

– Santosh Simkhada , Tokyo, Japan