There is a need for an integrated voice and campaign for environmental protection

There is a need for an integrated voice and campaign for environmental protection

The sky is polluted with towels. Environmentalists have been predicting the effects of dust and smoke and fires in some places and air pollution in nearby Indian cities in Nepal's skies. When it rains or the wind blows, the dust disappears and can have a positive effect on the environment. In this regard, INSEC Online Editor Ramesh Prasad Timalsina has talked with environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar. Here is an edited excerpt from a conversation with Tuladhar:

We are now in a vicious cycle of the environment. When was this situation before or when did we get stuck in this kind of situation?

The current environmental pollution is not new. Pollution has existed in Nepal before. Is now It is likely to increase tomorrow. There are different forms of pollution. In a sense, smoke from Nepal's kitchens has long been a major source of pollution. Probably it is these kitchens who are spoiling the environment of Nepal even now. Conventional fuels in the kitchen: 

The use of firewood, firewood only emits excessive pollution. It is the woman who is affected by it. Joe spends most of his time in the kitchen. Children living with women are also affected. Children who go to school also do housework in the kitchen. They too will be affected. Even now, it is said that about two thirds of the households in Nepal have such kitchens. This means that about two-thirds of women are still affected.

In the name of modernization, we have started using other fuels. Whether it is petrol used in motorcycles or coal used in industries. Pollution comes from burning any fuel. And, it's on the rise. Such pollution is happening mostly in urban areas. Pollution is higher in urban areas and the number of people taking it is also higher. If we do not manage pollution in densely populated urban areas, the impact will be catastrophic. In the last few decades, the amount of pollution has been increasing in big cities like Kathmandu.

The current scourge is a seasonal effect and another cause of fires across the country. Let's not go there because of the fire. Now its effects have spread across the country. Due to the lack of rain and lack of wind, it has become a muddy environment. As the source of pollution remains the same, it is important to focus on eliminating it. 

The number of fires has also increased tremendously this year. The past is known to be the hottest in mid-April. The fire season has not started yet. The fire that broke out in 300 places at this time last year is now in 2700 places. This is also due to climate change. Climate change causes excess rainfall and drought. This year it happened like this and it became dry for a long time.

The right to a clean environment has been ensured in the constitution. Is the government's action plan to ensure this right?

                Not only sound education but his alertness and dedication too are most required. The right to environment is interrelated with public health. I can't say there is no government plan. If the government has the responsibility to create a clean and healthy environment, then the citizens have the right to exercise that right. Citizens should also support the responsibility of the government.

Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Action Plan 2076 is a plan passed by the Council of Ministers. The action plan passed by the Council of Ministers had to be implemented. It has not been fully implemented. There are environmental policies, policies related to climate change. Similarly, there is transport policy, clean energy promotion policy. We have also expressed our international commitment. We have a policy. However, there is a problem in the intention to implement the policy. 

Creating working conditions by prioritizing the environment is an important need of the hour. The subject of environment is everyone's. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Transport belong to everyone. Overall, this issue is interrelated with all ministries. The Government of Nepal should play a coordinating role with governmental, non-governmental and private sectors for the protection of the right to environment. That work is not happening now.

What are the basic tasks of the government and the citizens to enjoy the right to environment?

                The policy rules made by the government itself had to be looked at a little better. The forgetting environment of policy making had to come to an end. Even if only 23,000 community forest user groups can be empowered, some success can be achieved in fire control. The government had to take the lead and invest in this issue. First of all, we have to understand the work to be done by the citizens. We had to pay attention to this issue.

I had to take ownership of the environment as a matter of me, my children and my family. Since environmental pollution is usually caused by human activities, we had to work to reduce pollution as much as possible through our own activities. Everyone needs to know how to survive if the environment is polluted. I had to obey what the subject matter expert said. And, the important thing that citizens have to do is raise their voice. It is the duty of a good citizen to raise his voice wherever he can. An integrated voice and campaign in favor of environmental protection automatically reduces pollution in the environment.

It is said that there is no snow in the mountains. How long will this situation last?

                The snow in the mountains has melted due to the rise in temperature. This is due to the activities of us human beings. It can be reduced but not stopped. Changes in our daily lives can and should be minimized.

Is it possible to minimize the positive changes we bring in our daily life?

                It can be done. We are the ones who will reduce it. We should start from today. The situation in our country is not so bad. If we don't do it now, we will be in trouble later. We are now in the development phase. At the same time, we need to come up with a visionary plan that will stop the adverse effects on the environment. Be minimal. We should all start this work at once from today. Let's not delay now. Let's save the environment. Let's avoid it too.