National Human Rights Commission Directs Government to Protect Environmental Rights

Kathmandu. The National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to take effective steps to protect and promote the fundamental right and human right of citizens to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The Commission issued such a directive through a press release on Friday on the occasion of World Environment Day. The Commission has also drawn the attention of all stakeholders to fully enforce the environmental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal and international human rights standards. Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal ensures the right of every citizen to live in a clean environment. Although the constitution has assigned the state the responsibility to control environmental pollution and minimize damage, the Commission has determined that the state has not paid sufficient attention to this. In recent years, the Commission has expressed serious concern over the increasingly complex environmental situation due to air pollution, deforestation, climate change, weaknesses in waste management, and unbalanced exploitation of natural resources. The press release states that these problems have had a negative impact on public health, citizens' livelihoods, and the overall standard of living. The press release, issued by the Commission's spokesperson and joint secretary Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, cited recent waste management problems in local levels as examples. It has been informed that complaints have been filed with the Commission regarding the negative environmental impact due to indiscriminate dumping of garbage in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, and the attempt to forcibly create a dumping site amidst human settlements in Amargadhi Municipality, Dadeldhura, despite the opposition of the locals. It has been informed that complaints regarding both these issues have been registered with the Commission and the process of action is currently underway. Therefore, directing the government to take effective steps to protect the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the Commission has urged everyone to take the risk of environmental pollution seriously.