SHARAD K SHRESTHA
Development is today’s agenda. Attaining sustainable development, however, demands due consideration to one of the key issues – environment.
Sedimentation and discharge of industrial effluents are prominent sources of water pollution, and the burning of wood for fuel is a significant source of indoor air pollution and respiratory problems. Vehicular and industrial emissions are contributing to air pollution in urban areas. Environmental Management (EM) is an integrated interdisciplinary field. There are issues of global sustainable development, environmental governance, environmental security, environmental economics and accounting, environmental awareness and public participation, environmental assessment and environmental management system, sustainable mobility and tourism.
Deforestation and land degradation appear to affect a far greater proportion of the population and have the worst consequences for economic growth and individuals’ livelihoods. Forest loss has contributed to floods, soil erosion, and stagnant agricultural output. Often cited causes of deforestation include population growth, high fuel wood consumption, infrastructure projects, and conversion of forests into grazing- and cropland. Land degradation is attributed to population growth, improper use of agro-chemicals and overly intensive use of landholdings.
Since the late 1980s, government policies have attempted to address these numerous and related problems, but policies often are hampered by lack of funding. The human and infrastructure losses due to the earthquake of April 25, 2015 have become a great threat and challenge for environmental management in the present scenario of our country.
Nepal has adopted the notion of green development to minimise stress on environment and to mitigate the impacts on climate change. National policy has stressed environment and climate change. It has mainly focussed on strengthening and updating environmental policy, existing laws, rules and mechanisms. It also focuses on enhancing institutional capacities.
The development of environmentally-friendly and climate change adaptive infrastructure needs to be emphasised. Likewise, programmes for spreading public awareness about protecting and preserving the environment are essential.
Source : thehimalayantimes
