DHANGADHI – Chief Minister of Province no. 7 Trilochan Bhatta has said that he will not endorse any development activities that will have detrimental effects on the environment.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), CM Bhatta underlined the need to maintain the balance development and environment while exploiting natural resources.
“The government is aware of the necessity to maintain balance and has moved ahead for development activities,” he said. “If we exploit the natural resources for development in a haphazard manner, it will cause serious accidents in the future.”
CM Bhatta said the government has brought clear policies and programs by taking into account the environmental concerns. “When we formulate policies and rules, we will give priority for environmental protection,” he added. “The first priority of development is to construct roads, but we need to adopt sustainable development measures without affecting environment. The roads are built during rainy season of May-June, which can create problems of soil erosion or landslides.”
Proper drainage systems should be developed along the roads, he noted. “However, some rigid provisions mentioned in laws have been a hindrance to development activities. On the other hand, it does not speak about smuggling of forest products and wildlife even in the national parks,” he said.
Bhatta called on the media to bring out the real problems of poaching and smuggling along with development activities and environmental concerns. “It will help in formulating appropriate policies for the development,” he said. “River products such as sand and pebbles can be extracted in a managed way. We have also failed to utilize herbs and some legal provisions have also obstructed to utilize them.”
He said achievements are disappointing despite huge government investment in the development for years. He added the issue can be resolved by bringing good policies. “We should also develop new settlement management for the hilly areas to save the environment,” he said, urging people and the media to join hands with the government for the same.
Keshav Parajuli, undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Environment in Province 7, said that there are many opportunities challenges in the region that is rich with natural resources and forests.
Provincial lawmaker and member of parliamentary committee for Finance, Development and natural Resources, Purna Joshi, said the condition could not be changed even after the change in political system. “The contractors have political connections and they misuse their influence to neglect the development works. That is why the development activities are unsatisfactory. We should bring strict laws to punish such non-performing contractors,” said Joshi, promising environment-friendly laws.
Another parliament member Ammi Thapa said that random use of bulldozers have affected ordinary people even to lose their homes. “Such problems should be immediately solved in coordination with opposition parties,” she said.
Similarly, Sushil Chandra Acharya, chief of Ranijamara Irrigation Project, said the region has been witnessing the effect of climate change. “Floods occurring every 100 years in the past have not been taking place in every 10 years in the recent years, while draught conditions have been prolonging. Rivers and Chure region have been excessively exploited causing depletion of underground water and massive soil erosion.”
Saying the province has been working to formulate new laws, undersecretary Parajuli said the environmental concerns will be addressed in upcoming laws.
