ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

the period to up 2017. The document begins bydescribing the pathways forward, detailed objectives,and states necessary government policies. Theagenda draws upon and is in conformity with thelong-term goals envisaged in the Ninth Plan1997–2002, the Tenth Plan 2002–2007, the MillenniumDevelopment Goals and the Poverty ReductionStrategy Paper, and commitments made by thecountry in various international forums (NPC 2003).The Irrigation Policy 1993 (revision 1997) makesspecific provisions and urges designing andimplementing irrigation projects and programsbased on the recommendations of EIA studies. Suchreports should be prepared taking into account theNational EIA guidelines 1993. The new IrrigationPolicy 2003 has a working policy to identify and selectirrigation projects that take into accountenvironmental factors. The working policyemphasizes implementing projects by minimizingadverse environmental impacts, conducting initialenvironmental examinations (IEE) and EIA, andorganizing public hearings, ensuring biodiversityconservation by mandating releasing of minimumessential water flows downstream, and utilizingwater for irrigation by avoiding or reducing adverseenvironmental impacts (MOWR 1993).The first major thrust to environmentalconservation and management in Nepal wasundertaken as part of the Eighth Five-Year Plan(1992–1997). The different policies and strategiesinitiated during the Eighth Plan were continuedduring the Ninth and Tenth plan periods. The NinthPlan specified various key policy directives:(i) Priority to environmental programs thatinvolve women and the poor;(ii) Special programs for environment conservationin remote areas;(iii) Involvement of NGOs in environmentaleducation;(iv) Training and research on pollution control,solid waste management, and others;(v) Development of environmental managementinformation systems; and(vi) Implementation of environmental standards.(vii) It also emphasized developing alternativeenergy sources like solar, micro-hydro, andbiogas plants as energy substitutes to replaceforest products as fuel.The ongoing Tenth Plan has accorded highpriority to integrating environmental concerns intoprogram implementation and has included a broadspectrum of working policies. The Tenth Plan hasadopted the following working policies:(i) To prevent degradation of natural resources,biological diversity, and cultural heritage;(ii) To increase local participation inenvironment conservation, according to theLocal Self Governance Act 1999;(iii) Municipalities are to prepare and implementland utilization and waste managementplans. Mandatory construction of sewagetreatment plants while implementing cityand settlement development plans. Takespecial initiatives in environment conservation,such as declaring plastic-free zones,provide aid to local authority throughenvironment conservation trust;(iv) Contribution of women’s groups to environmentalconservation will be encouraged;(v) Different communities will be encouraged toimprove their surrounding environment onthe basis of self-awareness and motivation;(vi) Improvements, conservation, and managementof nationwide natural, cultural, andreligious spots will involve local authorities.The role of nongovernment organizations,community organizations, and the private(vii)sector will be encouraged;To mitigate environmental degradation in thelower regions by development activities inthe upper regions (hydropower, irrigation)and to introduce rehabilitation programs;(viii) Municipalities will be the designatedinstitutions for vehicular emission testing andissuance of certificates;(ix) Introducing monitoring and appraisalsystems in the implementation stage ofprojects that have undergone environmentimpact assessment;(x)(xi)(xii)(xiii)(xiv)(xv)A central mechanism will be established tocoordinate different programs for implementationof international conventionsrelating to environment (e.g., climatechange, desertification, Basel Convention onHazardous Substances);Air, water, and sound pollution standards willbe determined and programs implementedgiving emphasis to an effective monitoringsystem;To manage and control industrial pollution,appropriate financial policies and legislativesystems will be prepared and implemented;Environmental education will be integratedin formal and informal education, andnecessary improvement in syllabuses will bemade;To make environmental education effective,necessary acts and regulations will beformulated and reviewed;Scientists, technicians, and researchers willbe encouraged to promote new technologiesin the area of environmental conservation;122 Environment Assessment of Nepal : Emerging Issues and Challenges