Asta-Ja: Nepal Vision 2040

On November 15, 2024 Durga Poudel, Ph.D. was inducted into Lambda Alpha International (LAI) by Charles Reith, Ph.D., a LAI FL Suncoast Chapter member, at an impressive event hosted at University of Louisiana Lafayette. After Charles' introduction and his induction ceremony, Durga gave a superb presentation on A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability based on the Asta-Ja Framework he developed over the past decades.

Durga & Charles 

As a long-time LAI member, Earth Impact (Ei) Founder and CEO Holly Elmore co-sponsored Durga's LAI nomination with Charles. On October 18, 2024, Holly welcomed Durga to the Ei Advisory Council; at the October monthly Ei Regeneration Working Group (RWG) meeting, Durga presented for the full hour on the Asta-Ja Framework; the second half of the November RWG meeting was reserved for an Asta-Ja Q&A session.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine article, Welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Ei Advisory Council, introduces the Asta-Ja Framework.

Ei commits to work closely with Durga and his Asta-Ja community on building the bridge from academic papers and philosophies into full and complete implementation in Nepal. As Durga and Holly are Rotarians, the vision is to develop empowering working relationships between Ei, LAI, and Rotary International (RI,) with each organization contributing within their respective areas of expertise, networks, and resources.

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land. RI is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. At the end of the article is a brief Ei introduction.

Durga Poudel, Ph.D.
Born in Tanahu, Nepal, Durga's academic adventures spanned the globe from Pakistan to Thailand to Taiwan to the USA where he received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Georgia. Subsequently, Durga served as a Visiting Research Scholar at University of California Davis from 1998 - 2000. 

In 2000, Charles, then School of Geosciences Department Chair, hired Durga as a University of Louisiana, Lafayette faculty member where he is now a tenured full professor. Charles says bringing Durga to the university was his "best hire ever" in his long academic career.

According to his official bio, Durga is the Professor and Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program and Director of Ag. Auxiliary Units, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. 

Durga's research focuses on water quality and nonpoint-source-pollution control, water-quality modeling, climate change adaptation, soil erosion, soil development and productivity, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, roadside vegetation and highway enhancement, waste-water recycling, and farming systems. At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Durga teaches several soil-science and water-quality courses.

Asta-Ja Framework
In 2008, Professor Basu Sharma at the University of New Brunswick, Canada invited Durga to give an oral presentation, Asta-Ja for Economic Development in Nepal, at a Canadian conference. Later, Basu encouraged Durga to publish his first in a series of thirteen Asta-Ja papers in distinguished journals. The inaugural paper, Management of Eight "Ja" for Economic Development of Nepal, was published in June 2008 in the Journal of Comparative International Management.

In January 2024, Durga published the acclaimed book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, as a compilation of his over-a-dozen articles and papers on the Asta-Ja Framework.

According to Durga,

"The book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, is a collection of thirteen published research articles from 2008-2022 AD. It presents theoretically grounded pioneering framework, the Asta-Ja Framework, for sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of natural and human resources for fast-paced socio-economic transformation, sustainable economic development, and environmental quality in Nepal. It presents practical guidelines for food, water, energy, environmental and climate securities. This book also presents Nepal Vision 2040 which aims for developing Nepal to the level of developed nations by 2040 AD."

At the foundation of the Asta-Ja Framework, are eight resources:

1. 
   Jal (Water)
2. Jamin (Land)
3. Jangle (Forest)
4. Jadibuti (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants)
5. Janawar (Animals)
6. Jarajuri (Crop/Plants)
7. Jalbayu (Climate)
8. Janashakti (Human Resource)

In Nepali, asta is eight and each of the eight resources begin with "Ja" letters. Thus, the name Asta-Ja.

Asta-Ja Resources have economic value and can be degraded with poor management. Though they are critical elements of life, fire and air are free for all and not considered Asta-Ja Resources.

From 2008 through 2024, the Asta-Ja Framework segued through the Era of Theorizing, Framework Development, and the Institutionalization of the Asta-Ja via the following milestones:

• 2008: Asta-Ja introduction.
• 2009 - 2012: Asta-Ja policy, strategy, capacity-building, and social-inclusion frameworks.
• 2013 - 2018: relevancy and the applicability of the Asta-Ja Framework (national planning, agriculture and natural resources development and management, cooperatives.)
• 2018: Nepal Vision (elevating Nepal’s economy at the level of a developed nation by 2040.)
• 2019 - 2021: Food, Water, Energy, Climate, and Environmental Security introduction.
• 2022: Governance.
• 2024: Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity publication.

With the turn of the quarter-century earmark, the Era of the Implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework, Nepal inaugurates. With Diving timing, Ei and Durga join forces on securing the collaborative forces necessary for Asta-Ja Nepal implementation!

An Integrated, Holistic Framework
In his presentation, Durga explained how the Asta-Ja Resources integrate with the Earth's four subsystems:

• 

  Family, students, and friends 
  after Durga's presentation

  Atmosphere - Climate = Jalabayu
• Hydrosphere - Water = Jal
• Lithosphere - Land = Jamin
• Biosphere:
• Forest = Jangle
• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants = Jadibuti
• Animals = Janawar
• Crop/Plants = Jarajuri
• Human Resource = Janaskakti

The Theory of Asta-Ja includes eight principles with Principle #1 Community Awareness at the energetic center: within a circle, Principles #2 through #7 directly interact with Community Awareness; Principle #8 Sustainable Community Development and Socio-Economic Transformation of Nepal encircles the entire Community Awareness circle. Principles #2 through #7 are as follows:

• Principle #2 - Community-Capacity Building
• Principle #3 - Policy Decision Making
• Principle #4 - Interrelationships and Linkages
• Principle #5 - Comprehensive Assessment
• Principle #6 - Sustainable Technologies and Practices
• Principle #7 - Institutions, Trade, and Governance

Durga created a comprehensive table, A Hypothetical Example of Asta-Ja Framework for the City of Kathmandu, Nepal, that showcases how the Asta-Ja Resources interact with and impact the eight Principles. For example, the intersection of Community-Capacity Building with Climate (Jalabayu) is flood control and crop diversification. The table is on pages 231and 232 in Durga's recently published Asta-Ja book.

Furthermore, the Asta-Ja Framework addresses five security areas: Food, Water, Energy, Climate, and Environmental Securities. Within his security analysis, Durga substantiates how each security area impacts and interacts with the Asta-Ja Resources and eight Principles.

In the presentation video (link provided below) provides a thorough analysis of how the Asta-Ja Framework is an Integrated, Holistic Framework. 

The analysis concludes with how Governance is critical to crafting an actionable, effective implementation plan.

For additional and in-depth information on development of the Asta-Ja Framework, view Durga's November 15 A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability recorded presentation; Durga's PPT presentation is available at this LINK.

Nepal Vision 2040

According to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Nepal: Issues and Perspectives, a 161-page paper published in October 2020, Asta-Ja is a non-profit organization dedicated to community capacity-building through training, technology transfer, logistic support, policy advocacy, and research and development. Its goal is to develop partnership with research and developmental institutions, governmental agencies, community organizations, universities, and other stakeholders and work collaboratively in agricultural, natural resources, environmental and other research and developmental projects. 

Essential to the Asta-Ja non-profit, the Asta-Ja International Coordination Council (Asta-Ja ICC), an assembly of affiliated scholars and professionals with diverse expertise, is highly regarded in Nepal as national and global thought leaders. Durga is the ICC Chair.

Founded in 2014 within the Asta-Ja non-profit, the Asta-Ja Research Development Center (RDC)  enhances grassroots-community involvement in research and development of Asta-Ja for poverty alleviation and socio-economic transformation of Nepal implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework.

The Asta-Ja Nepal Vision 2040 aims to elevate Nepal at the par of a developed nation by 2040 utilizing the Asta-Ja Framework. The Vision showcases how the Asta-Ja Resources transform the abundant challenges into an empowering reality.

Identified challenges include poverty, food insecurity, negative balance of trade, public debt, foreign-aid dependency, plan-implementation failures, massive outmigration, Gross Domestic Product growth, natural disasters, environmental degradation, energy, corruption, and welfare.

Utilizing the Asta-Ja Resources, the challenges transform into the Nepal Vision 2040:

1. Food self-sufficiency
2. Reliance on renewable resource energy
3. 30-million tourists annually
4. Export of organic foods, medicinal and aromatic plants, and other products
5. Corruption control
6. Infrastructural development
7. Community resiliency
8. Social services
9. Asta-Ja Resource conservation, utilization, and development

Grassroots Research and Development

In 2018, Asta-Ja USA, Sustainable Natural Resources for Community Development, was established as a 501(c) nonprofit with the following mission:

To promote sustainable development of natural and human resources through education, capacity building, charitable activities, applied research, policy-``decision support, and environmental conservation.

 

As a non-profit, Asta-Ja USA may accept donations and contributions from U.S.-based organizations, corporations, and other entities that fund grassroots research and development with the RDC.

Via a Rotary International Basic Education Improvement Grant, seventeen U.S. teachers traveled to Nepal and aided with course curriculum, Nepalese teacher education, and other education-based projects. 

The RDC Projects page lists funded Asta-Ja grassroots projects over the past years: 

• Seeds for Family Nutrition and Income Generation 
• Environment Pollution Community Awareness Seminar Series
• Chudher Drinking Water Project
• 2015 Gorkha Earthquake Relief Works
• Chure Conservation and Development Project
• Climate Change Adaptation Research

Grassroots projects showcase the amazing potential for Nepal within the Asta-Ja Framework; the projects build the foundation for holographic implementation across Nepalese communities, tourist and other industries, and environmental stewardship

All in the Family

During his November 15 presentation, Durga honored his family for their unwavering support for and contributions to building the Asta-Ja Framework. In 2008, the Poudel family traveled together via car 2549 miles, 39 hours from Lafayette, LA to Ottawa, Canada for Durga's inaugural Asta-Ja lecture. 

Durga with Shanta and their
daughter Rachana.

Several times during his dialogue Durga acknowledged and recognized his lovely wife Shanta who was in the audience.

As she was visiting her parents, Durga and Shanta’s youngest daughter Rachana attended the event. The elder siblings – Roshan and Rosina – celebrated Durga’s LAI induction and Asta-Ja achievements in spirit from New York City and Los Angeles, respectively.

Ei Asta-Ja Nepal Task Force
As a welcome to 2025, Ei embarks on establishing the Ei Asta-Ja Nepal Task Force to serve as a bridge from academic papers and philosophies into full and complete implementation of Asta-Ja: Nepal Vision 2040. The task force will serve as a guiding force within the Era of the Implementation of the Asta-Ja Framework.

_______________________________________

Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work. 

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.