KATHMANDU: National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has stressed the importance of adhering to environmental standards during infrastructure development.
Speaking at an interaction on a draft report regarding policy-level issues and suggestions related to national parks, organized by the Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee of the National Assembly, Dahal warned that failure to uphold these standards had already made Nepal vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides, floods, unseasonal rainfall, and drought.
“I urge all concerned bodies to strictly follow environmental standards,” Dahal said, adding that the preservation of nature is crucial for developing long-term plans that will benefit future generations. He emphasized that forests and wildlife must be protected, and that infrastructure development should go hand in hand with environmental conservation.
Dahal cautioned that unless a balance is maintained between development and environmental protection, Nepal could face even more devastating consequences from climate change. “We are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. We cannot ignore these realities when planning and executing development projects,” he said.
He recalled past disasters in the Chure region, Melamchi, and recent flooding in the Kathmandu Valley as examples of the consequences of neglecting environmental safeguards. The NA Chair underscored the importance of ensuring that infrastructure projects comply with both national and international standards to produce lasting and sustainable outcomes.
Dahal concluded by stressing that development efforts should be aligned with the principles of sustainable development to mitigate environmental risks and protect Nepal’s natural resources.
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