NEPAP has been prepared under the auspicious of NPC in response to growing global concerns about the need of maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental conservation.
NEPAP objectives
- Sustainable management of natural resources:
The proper management of Nepal’s land, water and forest resources is essential to guarantee and enhance the continued productivity of the country’s agriculture on which the majority of the population depends.
- Managing population growth, health and addressing poverty issues:
The proper management of land, forests and water is essential to provide the basic food, fodder, and fuel requirements of Nepali people. However, with almost half of the population living in poverty (38% NPC), there is also need to improve the health status of the population by providing adequate supplies of clean water, improved sanitation and by satisfying unmet demand of family planning.
- Mitigating the adverse environmental impacts from urban industrial and infrastructural developments:
The impacts of urbanization and industrialization are beginning to cause serious environmental problems in some areas of Nepal. Many development projects, particularly large infrastructure projects also can have adverse environmental impacts steps must be taken to foresee and correct these environmental issues before they inflict high costs on Nepal’s people and its economy. E.g. Hydroelectricity projects.
- Safeguarding national heritage:
Nepal is well known for its natural cultural heritage. In recent years, these resources have been degraded. Conflicts have arisen between local residents and authorities in areas surrounding some of the designated protected areas and national parks. Areas adjacent to cultural and historical monuments and maintenance and sanitary degradation. Areas along
the most popular trekking and mountaineering routes are being threatened by growing congestion, accumulation of solid wastes and deforestation. HMG/N has already taken action to deal with some of these issues. Recently approved legislation permits some revenue sharing and encourages greater degree of local participation.
- Legislation, Institutions, Education and Public Resources:
Environmental issues are varied and complex. It is not possible to address all issues and to
solve all problems at the same time. Resources are scarce and institutional capacities are limited. To implement the policies and actions mentioned in the NEPAP effectively, a series of policy, legal and regularly provisions and public resource allocation.
