NHRC calls for environment-friendly development

Kathmandu, June 5: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to ensure the constitutional and legal right to a safe, healthy and clean environment.     

The NHRC has emphasised the human rights-oriented development methodology, following the standards of sustainable development, while calling for implementations it made to the government on the environment.     

"It is also necessary for the private sector to follow environmental pollution standards while conducting their businesses to prevent uncontrolled exploitation of nature and environment, and to reduce plastic pollution," says a press release issued by Dr TikaramPokharel, Spokesperson of the Commission.     

Today is the 53rd World Environment Day, also being observed in Nepal with different programmes. Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal establishes the right to clean environment as a fundamental right and states that every citizen has the right to live in a healthy and clean environment.     

Furthermore, Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS states that the necessary criteria can be determined to reduce the impact of air pollution.     

According to the provisions of the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966, which Nepal is a party to, it is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens from the dangers and risks of environmental pollution while also ensuring environmental rights.(RSS)