ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

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