Nepal's Environment Minister Marks 100 Days with Focus on Policy Reforms and Climate Finance

Kathmandu. Today marks 100 days since Minister for Forest and Environment, Madhav Prasad Chaugain, assumed office. Although the current government, formed after the CPN (Maoist Centre) agitation on Bhadra 23 and 24, had the primary mandate to complete the House of Representatives elections on schedule, the government claims progress has been made on work meeting public expectations.

Minister Chaugain informed that 58 significant policy, legal, institutional, and programmatic reforms have been undertaken during this period. He stated, "Considering the limited time, we moved forward with the belief that effective work can be done in a short period. Collaborating with development partners, we advanced various projects and prioritized public concern issues such as human-wildlife conflict and agricultural wildlife damage."

With the objective of strengthening environmental good governance, the ministry approved five new standards in areas including air quality, industrial emissions, and brick and cement industries. Significant legal reforms have also taken place, including the approval of the Carbon Trading Regulation and amendments to the Forest Regulation.

Minister Chaugain further noted that significant achievements have been made in international cooperation and climate finance mobilization during this period, mentioning that the process for mobilizing international assistance has been advanced through various projects and programs.

"The foundation has been laid to ensure significant economic benefits in the future through carbon trading and the 'REDD+' mechanism," he said, adding, "For this, the Carbon Registry and 'MRV' system have been operationalized. Furthermore, an understanding on biodiversity conservation has been reached with India."

During this period, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for 6 projects and the work schedule for 21 projects were approved, while decisions regarding forest area utilization paved the way for the management of 79.61 hectares of area and necessary infrastructure projects.

Work related to development, construction, hydropower, and environmental impact assessments, which were halted within protected areas following a Supreme Court decision, has been facilitated during this period.

The third amendment to the Forest Regulation has been made to facilitate infrastructure projects, and the national standard for air quality has been approved. Furthermore, the ministry announced the approval of standards concerning the smoke emitted from boilers installed in industries and establishments and the height of chimneys, as well as standards related to smoke emissions from brick industry chimneys, chimney height, and the operation of brick industries.

Minister Chaugain also stated that the operational directive for the Forest Development Fund and the benefit-sharing plan for the proceeds from carbon emission reductions sold to the World Bank for 13 districts in the Terai plains region have been approved.

During this period, the 'Gender Equality, Disability-Friendly, and Social Inclusion Strategy and Implementation Plan for the Forest and Environment Sector (2082-91)' was approved by a ministerial decision. Additionally, the first national workshop on the control and management of invasive alien species in Nepal was successfully concluded.

He further informed that the area surrounding Shey-Phoksundo National Park (843 square kilometers in Mugu district) and an adjacent area of 177 square kilometers have been designated as buffer zones, and a notice has been published in the Nepal Gazette. During this period, a 'Headquarters Agreement' was signed between the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (a governmental body comprising eight South Asian countries against illegal wildlife trade) and the Ministry of Forest and Environment on behalf of the Government of Nepal.