EDITORIAL :
After a long political instability, the country is heading on the path to stability. All three levels of government—federal, provincial and local—will serve their full five-year terms.
Along with the promulgation of the new constitution, and political stability, people’s expectations are growing. People are more interested in infrastructure development, expansion of industries, and the creation of employment. These development works must gain momentum. But the past six months have not been much encouraging.
Only a handful of development projects have been taken ahead. Some of them will be highly beneficial and some others will be good in terms of politics. There seems to be hunger It is a positive. Be that as it may, there seems to be a hunger for development which is a positive thing.
However, not much groundwork has been laid for completing some of the development projects including Nijgadh International Airport. Issues of forest and environment are being raised amidst optimism that the development would gain some pace. Environmentalists and conservationists have been saying: “Go ahead with infrastructure building. But pay attention to wildlife and the environment. Make sure there is minimum damage to the environment while picking the location for construction. Start the process to cut down trees only after the guarantee that the development work will take place and plant saplings to compensate for the loss of forest.”
Unfortunately, quick reactions have been made without understanding the intention of environmentalists and conservationists and proper information. It is unfortunate that the issue of environment is being construed as anti-development; there are also serious accusations that the environmental issues are raised under some one’s influence.
Before jumping the gun, it is necessary to study and analyze extensively about various problems that have surfaced due to climate change and the growing crisis of water, floods, and landslides, among other environmental imbalance. And we must try to understand the problems currently being faced by the developed countries because of the development model they adopted in 1960s, which we are trying to emulate now.
It is not unusual to raise questions about environmental impacts before undertaking any development project. Our belief that such questions and voices will abort the project drives homes the fact our foundation is too weak. This clearly shows lack of necessary willpower to take ahead the project by addressing the questions raised. It is disastrous that questions are raised over the intention of environmentalists and conservationists instead of assuring to address the issues of the environment while undertaking the development project.
At an interaction organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) a few weeks ago, a high-level official questioned the intention behind raising the environmental issues. He demonstrated his tense and panicked psychology. We had organized a discussion on environmental balance and had invited respected personalities who were of the views the Nijgadh airport should be constructed. Our goal was to hold a broader discussion so that the government becomes mindful about the questions raised.
So far, the only document made public about the project is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The current debates are based on the EIA. The environmentalists have been accused of misleading people about the number of trees required to be felled. However, no other official document has been made public, apartment from the EIA.
The news reports published in various media with conflicting facts and statistics demonstrate that there are attempts to make Nijgadh Airport project obscure rather than clear. It may be possible to make news on the basis of some body’s statement but for a serious debate on any issue, there must be an official document. If any development sector is highly sensitive from environmental perspectives, it can be changed to some extent and the government bodies should be serious about it. The government has not been able to give assurance on the issue of planting new plants after cutting down the trees, which is indispensable.
On the other hand, there are also arguments that the forest area is growing across the country so it wouldn’t be a problem to cut down any number of trees. But the environment doesn’t mean trees as there are multi-dimensional aspects of any forest. It is lack of true understanding of the environment to say that it is ok to cut down trees citing the growing number of trees.
After Nijgadah, Teghari community forest consumers’ group has raised strong voices against possible deforestation in Godavari Municipality, the recently declared capital of Sudurpaschim Province. They have been saying that the capital city in the forest area on the foothill of Chure region in Kailali district will have long-term environmental repercussions on the low lying hills.
It is obvious that the decision is drawing flak from several quarters. The decision to choose Chure’s foothill area as the capital could increase the risk of landslides at Chure region, and risk of floods and embankment burst in the downstream river. Moreover, the place designated as the capital is the place where the underground water is recharged, and the potential growth of human settlements will dry the water resources. These factors have been overlooked.
That’s why the pressure is mounting on the concerned stakeholders to seek an alternative location for provincial capital instead of choosing the Chure foothill by destroying the forest. However, the stakeholders have not shown any interests. It doesn’t seem pragmatic to pick a place considered highly sensitive from the environmental perspective despite having alternatives.
These two are just some of the big projects that have received media attention. Currently, forests are being destroyed rampantly in villages across the country. Dozers have reached in remote corners of the country. It’s a good thing to have good road networks to connect villages, but no one seems serious about the environmental impact due to haphazard use of bulldozers.
Our rural area should be aware of the environmental impact due to unplanned development works. Our future generations will have to pay a heavy price for our negligence. Development works must be taken ahead but let the concerned authorities put forward the concept of long-term development.
Many countries are regretting now for undermining the environmental aspects while advancing the development process in the past. We don’t need to go that far, last month’s flood in Kerala state of India is enough to show us the repercussions of failing to pay heed to the environment. Now we are ignoring the forest in the name of development. It is indisputable that it will make us remorseful in the future.
