ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

development planning process. This period ischaracterized by concrete environmental actionsundertaken by the country. These include suchthings as development of clear environmentalpolicies, implementation of national environmentallegislation, development of environmental actionplans, and introduction of mandatory environmentalassessment in infrastructure projects.The key environment-related policies andstrategies introduced to date include: NationalConservation Strategy 1988; Industrial Policies 1992;Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan 1993;Tourism Policy 1995; Solid Waste Management Policy1996; National Water Supply Sector Policy 1998;Revised Forest Sector Policy 2000; HydropowerDevelopment Policy 2001; Nepal Biodiversity ConservationStrategy 2002; Leasehold Forestry Policy 2002;Water Resources Strategy, Nepal, 2002; NationalWetland Policy 2003; Irrigation Policy 2003; andSustainable Development Agenda for Nepal, 2003.The Conservation Strategy endorsed by theGovernment in 1988 includes a number of programsto internalize the environmental impact assessment(EIA) system in Nepal. The strategy underscores theneed to ascertain the potential consequences ofdevelopment activities on the environment and tominimize detrimental effects. The strategy requiresthat project proponents identify the potentialsocioeconomic and environmental impacts of theproject, and recommend ways in which these wouldbe mitigated.The Industrial Policy 1992 has emphasizedmeasures to minimize adverse impacts on theenvironment during the establishment, expansion,and diversification of industries. The policy opensavenues to formulate guidelines and standards tocheck and minimize adverse effects of pollutionassociated with industrial growth. Industries that arelikely to affect the environment have beencategorized and a license is required to establishindustries that affect public health and theenvironment (MOI 1992).The Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan1993, which was endorsed by the EnvironmentProtection Council, was the first program tocomprehensively articulate the environmentalpolicies of Nepal—it listed seven:(i) To manage natural and physical resourcesefficiently and sustainably;(ii) To balance development efforts and environmentalconservation for sustainable fulfillmentof people’s basic needs;(iii)(iv)To safeguard national heritage;To mitigate the adverse environmentalimpacts of development projects and humanactions;(v)(vi)To integrate the environment and developmentthrough appropriate institutions,adequate legislation and economicincentives, and sufficient public resources;To foster environmental education andawareness at all levels; and(vii) To facilitate participatory involvement ofprivate sector, NGOs, international nongovernmentorganizations (INGOs), and civilsociety with government efforts inenvironmental protection.The Tourism Policy 1995 emphasizes implementingenvironmental protection programs in aneffective and integrated manner to promotesustainable tourism development. The need fordeveloping tourism environmental guidelines and alocal code of conduct concerning the environment isalso discussed (MOCTCA 1996).The National Solid Waste Management Policy1996 underscores the importance of carrying out anEIA prior to selecting the final waste disposal site toreduce environmental pollution (MOLD 1996).The Hydropower Development Policy 2001envisages implementation of environmentalmanagement plans to minimize adverse effects ofproject development. The policy clearly requires that10% of the annual minimum discharge or whateverlevel is recommended by the EIA study bemaintained downstream in rivers (MOWR 2001).The Nepal Biodiversity Strategy 2002 emphasizesconducting EIAs in accordance with theprovisions of the Environment Protection Act 1996and Environment Protection Regulations 1997 toassess impacts of development activities onbiodiversity. The strategy has focused on ensuringeffective implementation of existing laws on EIA(MOFSC 2002).The Water Resources Strategy 2002 underscoresthe need for effective implementation of EIA andstrategic environment assessment (SEA) norms andrecommendations. The strategy has dissectedenvironmental problems in the water resourcessector and has emphasized implementing differentenvironmental activities for management ofwatersheds and aquatic ecosystems. The strategyalso calls upon the Ministry of Environment, Science,and Technology (MOEST) to take a lead role indeveloping environmental review and assessmenttools and to advise the Government regardingrequired changes to the policies and implementationprocedures of SEA and EIA (WECS 2002).The Sustainable Development Agenda for Nepal2003 prepared by the Government National PlanningCommission defines sustainable development forNepal and opportunities and broad goals coveringChapter 9: Environmental Governance121