ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

More documents

Recommendations

Info

and haphazard. Population pressures are stretchinglimited infrastructure and services beyond theircapacity. Visible signs include sprawling urbansettlements, congestion, poor or nonexistent sanitaryfacilities, unmanaged dumping of solid andhazardous waste, and degraded and polluted urbanair and water. The most serious adverse effectsattributed to the deteriorated urban environment arerelated to health. Unplanned and haphazardurbanization also encroaches on open spaces,agricultural and marginal lands, and heritage sites.The emergence of urban slums and urban poverty inNepal’s cities is a relatively new phenomenon andstill minor when compared with the problem facedby major cities in South Asia.The Guided Land Development and LandPooling Acts are two government initiatives to planand guide urbanization in some municipalities.These are aimed at facilitating the adjustment of landplots so that space is provided for urbaninfrastructure—roads, water supply, drainage,electricity, and telephone. Provision for urbaninfrastructure in Nepal has been largely driven bycentral sectoral institutions such as the Nepal WaterSupply Cooperation, the Department of Roads, theSolid Waste Management and Resource MobilizationCenter, the Nepal Telecommunications Corporation,and the Nepal Electricity Authority. Recently, after theenactment of the Local Self-Governance Act 1999,municipalities are being increasingly empowered tomanage their urban areas. However, in spite of goodintentions, the municipalities generally lack thecapacity and resources to do so. The TownDevelopment Fund was established in 1997 toprovide financial resources, loans, and technicalassistance to local bodies to help them implementtown infrastructure projects. However, the lack ofcoordination and mutual support among theinstitutions remain the main stumbling block in theplanning, construction, and maintenance of urbaninfrastructure and facilities. Institutional confusionregarding the assignment of responsibility, authority,and handling of resources remains contentious.The Kathmandu Urban Development Projectthat began in 1993 was the first Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB)–financed urban sector project in Nepal.An operations evaluation mission evaluated it in 2003(ADB 2003) and reached several conclusions:(i) The project was adequately designed from atechnical perspective, but public participationwas not sufficient to ensuresustainability.(ii) The land pooling scheme devised in theproject has become a model for other landpooling schemes. An integrated environmentalmanagement system that couldcomprise water supply, groundwaterrecharge, rainwater harvesting, wastewaterrecycling, and wastewater treatment couldalso be implemented.(iii) Population in the project area exceeded theprojection, resulting in overuse of infrastructureor its inadequacy. Infrastructure waspoorly maintained. Maintenance requiresadequate financing (one source of whichcould be property tax) and institutionalcapacity (training and capacity building ofstaff, and so on).(iv) Community networking and training shouldcontinue beyond initial project implementation.Nongovernment organizations (NGOs)can play a crucial role in building awarenessof proper operation and maintenance.Since completing the Kathmandu UrbanDevelopment Project, the ADB has financed severalother projects related to the urban sector. Theseinclude the Melamchi Water Supply Project ($120million), Small Towns Water Supply and SanitationSector ($35 million), Kathmandu Valley Water ServicesSector Development Program ($10 million), andUrban and Environment Improvement ($30 million).Other donors have also provided support for urbaninfrastructure and services. For example, GermanTechnical Cooperation (GTZ) supported solid wastemanagement in Kathmandu, and urban developmentthrough local efforts in several municipalities; UnitedNations Development Programme (UNDP) and theWorld Bank supported the Metropolitan EnvironmentImprovement Programme; Danish InternationalDevelopment Agency (DANIDA) supported theEnvironment Sector Programme Support; and theEuropean Union supported the Kathmandu ValleyMapping Programme.Important lessons regarding urban environmentalmanagement in Nepal can be derived bothfrom donor-supported programs and from the smallscaleenvironmental activities of NGOs. These twosectors have been involved in converting waste intoresources (through composting, making briquettesfrom waste, paper recycling, management of solidwastes by communities, and others), in promotingalternative approaches to waste/sewage treatment,and in addressing the needs of the urban poor(including slums and squatters’ quarters). Integratedenvironmental planning and management can alsobenefit from the process of integrated actionplanning 2 tried in some municipalities.2Integrated action planning is based on people’s participation. Ward level community meetings are the cornerstone of this approach. Other features are mobilisationand participation of the community in the identification, prioritisation, and programing of municipal development activities and making the planning process more peopleoriented.210 Environment Assessment of Nepal : Emerging Issues and Challenges
Urban development and management in Nepallack both an integrated, holistic approach and a longtermvision. Although master plans have beenprepared for some municipalities, implementation ofthese has been weak and generally unsatisfactory.Most past efforts have been sectoral anduncoordinated rather than integrated. A trulyintegrated and holistic approach should therefore bepromoted for urban environmental planning andmanagement to make urban areas better places tolive.There are obvious linkages andcomplementarities among the various urbaninfrastructures and services; if these were integratedand coordinated properly, the synergistic effectscould be enormous. For example, solid wastemanagement is linked with air pollution and thefunctioning of drainage. A truly integrated andholistic approach, however, should not be limited tointegrating and coordinating infrastructure andservices, but should include wider concepts ofintegration like the following:(i) Planned land use with due considerationgiven to environmental attributes (urbanecology, environmental setting of urbansurrounding areas, open spaces, religiousand cultural heritage, conservation of water,agricultural lands, and other resources).(ii) Introduction of waste reduction/reuse/recycling in keeping with environmentallyfriendlypractices.(iii) Raising public awareness regarding theenvironment, health, and appropriatepractices and behaviors.(iv) Promoting participation and partnershipamong communities, civil society, NGOs,community-based organizations (CBOs),and the private sector in environmentalplanning and management.(v) Addressing urban poverty and the needs ofthe urban poor.(vi) Introducing a “polluter pays” principle thatcan generate revenue for urban environmentalmanagement.It is necessary to strengthen the municipalities,local bodies, and competent authorities forintegrated urban environmental management; andto develop appropriate tools, and human andfinancial resources. It may also be necessary toreinforce the legal framework for promoting land-useplanning, participation by stakeholders, and ensuringcoordination and cooperation.Such integrated urban environmental planningand management can build upon the experiencesgained in the country and outside. The experienceacquired from the ADB-funded Urban andEnvironment Improvement, and Small Towns WaterSupply and Sanitation Sector projects, both of whichinvest in urban areas outside Kathmandu, can beuseful (ADB 2002, ADB 2000). Initially the best ofthese ideas on integration can be piloted in small andemerging towns where the problems are still not verycomplicated. The integrated approach could then bepromoted in bigger cities like Kathmandu wheregreater and more concerted efforts are necessary.For example, satellite settlements may be planned,developed, and managed at several locations inKathmandu Valley taking into consideration all oftheir environmental attributes and implementing thewider concepts of the integrated approach. Thesesettlements could then be linked to the main citythrough radial roads from the current ring road—theradial roads can also link to the outer ring roadwhose development is being supported by theGovernment of the People’s Republic of China.A related program may be designed to reforestthe hills around Kathmandu Valley; this would have anumber of environmental benefits, includinggroundwater recharge and ecotourism promotion.Possible areas of synergy include the ADB-fundedMelamchi Water Supply Project and the KathmanduValley Water Services Sector Development Program,which aim to improve water supply and sanitationsituation; these could be coordinated with upcomingprojects in solid waste management supported byJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).Institutional Strengthening andCapacity BuildingAbout half of the prevailing key environmental lawsnow in force in Nepal (Appendix 14.1) date fromafter 1992 when the Ministry of Population andEnvironment (MOPE, since 2005 absorbed into thenewly-formed Ministry of Environment, Science andTechnology [MOEST]) was first established.Widespread public concern over pollution led tolegislation to curb emission of effluents and airbornepollutants; while concern over the depletion ofnatural resources led to legislation for thepreservation of conservation areas such as nationalparks and wildlife areas with special biodiversityvalue. While the laws exist in principle, institutionalweaknesses continue to prevent their effectivemonitoring and implementation.Institutions at all levels are weak, including theNational Planning Commission (NPC), lineministries, local governments, and villagecommittees. The requisite technical skills arecommonly lacking and poor morale is a systemicChapter 14: Emerging Priorities211
Page 2 and 3:
About the OrganisationsAsian Develo
Page 4 and 5:
© 2006 International Centre for In
Page 6 and 7:
AcknowledgementsWe would like to ex
Page 8 and 9:
PM2.5PAHRSSAARCSACEPSEASO 2TSPUKUND
Page 10 and 11:
Chapter 6: Energy Resources 65Intro
Page 12 and 13:
List of FiguresFigure 2.1: People a
Page 14 and 15:
Table 6.1: Energy Consumption and P
Page 16 and 17:
forests are also used for infrastru
Page 18 and 19:
as data gathered by different agenc
Page 20 and 21:
Table 2.1: Population Growth Rates
Page 22 and 23:
mortality rates for rural and urban
Page 24 and 25:
Agglomeration village in the centra
Page 26 and 27:
soil erosion, and depletion of wate
Page 30 and 31:
provision remains inadequate becaus
Page 32 and 33:
Malnutrition remains a serious obst
Page 34 and 35:
Table 2.24: Existing and Projected
Page 36 and 37:
Table 2.28: Income Poverty Indicato
Page 38 and 39:
Table 2.31: Change in Employment St
Page 40 and 41:
In 2004, the average annual househo
Page 42 and 43:
Mountain areas have the most food i
Page 44 and 45:
Schaffner, U. 1987. “Road Constru
Page 46 and 47:
Table 3.1: Agricultural Economic De
Page 48 and 49:
Table 3.4: Estimated Soil Erosion R
Page 50 and 51:
B. PradhanImpacts of land degradati
Page 52 and 53:
Carson, B. 1985. “Erosion and Sed
Page 54 and 55:
The trend of forest coverage in the
Page 56 and 57:
BiodiversityState of BiodiversityNe
Page 58 and 59:
The Government has given legal prot
Page 60 and 61:
Different ways of maintaining biodi
Page 62 and 63:
———.2004. State of the Enviro
Page 64 and 65:
Appendix 4.1: Table continuedMajor
Page 66 and 67:
Appendix 4.2: Protected Plant and W
Page 68 and 69:
Table A4.2.3: Nepal's Share in Plan
Page 70 and 71:
to intense weathering, and percolat
Page 72 and 73:
Table 5.5: Water Supply and Water T
Page 74 and 75:
Table 5.9: Water Quality of Shallow
Page 76 and 77:
species are reported to be endanger
Page 78 and 79:
Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR).
Page 80 and 81:
Definition, Forms, and UnitsEnergy
Page 82 and 83:
Table 6.5: Hydropower PotentialRive
Page 84 and 85:
Chilime Hydroelectric Project: An E
Page 86 and 87:
load occurs from 6 pm to 9 pm with
Page 88 and 89:
assessment of wind energy and lack
Page 90 and 91:
Review of Dams and Development by t
Page 92 and 93:
IUCNElizabeth Khaka, UNEP-NairobiRu
Page 94 and 95:
therefore reflect the three guiding
Page 96 and 97:
is a seasonal dust storm. Anthropog
Page 98 and 99:
Figure 7.3: Average Air Quality, Ja
Page 100 and 101:
matter, hydrocarbons, and NO x (Nae
Page 102 and 103:
Figure: 7.9: Vehicle Registered in
Page 104 and 105:
Brick Kilnchlorofluorocarbons (HCFC
Page 106 and 107:
Climate ChangeA region’s climate
Page 108 and 109:
Figure 7.14: Mean Annual Precipitat
Page 110 and 111:
Table 7.3: National Ambient Air Qua
Page 112 and 113:
India. Available: http://www.cleana
Page 114 and 115:
———.1999. “Ambient Air Qual
Page 116 and 117:
Appendix 7.1: World Health Organiza
Page 118 and 119:
Table 8.1: Criteria for Urban Statu
Page 120 and 121:
accommodate the rapidly increasing
Page 122 and 123:
managing solid waste. They are part
Page 124 and 125:
In most municipalities, hazardous w
Page 126 and 127:
in worsening public health conditio
Page 128 and 129:
objects of archaeological, historic
Page 130 and 131:
Min BajracharyaB. PradhanVehicles a
Page 132 and 133:
Department of Health Services (DOHS
Page 134 and 135:
Table 9.1 describes the major highl
Page 136 and 137:
the period to up 2017. The document
Page 138 and 139:
earthquakes; and awareness raising
Page 140 and 141:
Sub-regional LinkagesOther developi
Page 142 and 143:
Figure 9.1: The Key Environmental I
Page 144 and 145:
(iv)(v)(vi)plants, and other non-ti
Page 146 and 147:
environmental governance can be bet
Page 148 and 149:
can vary considerably. Both sides h
Page 150 and 151:
Dhungel, D.N., and A.B. Rajbhandari
Page 152 and 153:
Table A9.1.2: Industry-Specific Tol
Page 154 and 155:
. Cultural Heritage8. Convention fo
Page 156 and 157:
Appendix 9.3: Some Prominent Enviro
Page 158 and 159:
Some funding arrangements made by t
Page 160 and 161:
(NARDF 2004) for a period of 1 to 3
Page 162 and 163:
Table 10.2: Annual Income and Expen
Page 164 and 165:
Table 10.4: Users’ Share in Benef
Page 166 and 167:
From Hands Around Everest bookFrom
Page 168 and 169:
Table 10.8: Subsidy Rate for Biogas
Page 170 and 171:
microorganism communities and the n
Page 172 and 173:
subsidies (Mason 1996). All these a
Page 174 and 175: addressed only part of the problem.
Page 176 and 177: historical practice of community-ma
Page 178 and 179: moved or relocated. The fact that s
Page 180 and 181: Kathmandu Valley and receives a lar
Page 182 and 183: cooperative ventures provided neith
Page 184 and 185: further poaching has not been repor
Page 186 and 187: http://www.pugwash.org/reports/pac/
Page 188 and 189: United Nations. 2003. World Populat
Page 190 and 191: how other countries with substantia
Page 192 and 193: (i) Broad-based and sustainable eco
Page 194 and 195: Although progress is encouraging, m
Page 196 and 197: Nepal’s Changing Pattern of Trade
Page 198 and 199: Table 12.2: Trade/ GDP RatiosFY1981
Page 200 and 201: Table 12.5: Percentage Share of Maj
Page 202 and 203: well as other provisions in specifi
Page 204 and 205: Future Implications for NepalIncrea
Page 206 and 207: International Trade Forum (ITN). 20
Page 208 and 209: - Gross domestic product per unit e
Page 210 and 211: Time Series InformationGenerally tw
Page 212 and 213: Table 13.1a: Different Datasets Col
Page 214 and 215: elevant due to its multidisciplinar
Page 216 and 217: Figure 13.6: Examples of Applicatio
Page 218 and 219: Judith DobmannThere are many source
Page 220 and 221: ———.2003. Mapping Nepal Censu
Page 222 and 223: sustainable livelihoods requires an
Page 226 and 227: issue. These deficiencies stem from
Page 228 and 229: population must be assessed. MOEST
Page 230 and 231: Appendix 14.1: List of Key Environm
Page 232 and 233: (vii) The EIA report approving agen
Page 234 and 235: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty a
Page 236 and 237: Nepal’s Progress Towards the MDGs
Page 238 and 239: Goal 4: Reduce child mortalityReduc
show all

ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?