Protect Environment

The other day, the World Environment Day was marked. This is a day that reminds us about the importance of protecting nature. On this day people talk and raise concerns about nature, wildlife, climate change, and pollution. However, when we look at the present context of Nepal we see that here environmental issues are not only about nature but they are also about people. We all know that natural calamities like floods, landslides, droughts are the result of an environmental crisis which affects everyone. Yet the intensity of impact is never equal. Wealthier people often experience little or no impact whereas, marginalised groups are affected more. 

For this reason, environmental protection should not be seen only as an ecological concern but should be seen as a matter of social justice, good governance, mental wellbeing, and public policy. Nepal contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study published in Cleaner Energy Systems, Nepal contributes less than 0.1 per cent of global emissions but faces highly vulnerable consequences of climate change. Himalayan region is witnessing melting glaciers, glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF), and changing weather patterns. Farmers are struggling with drought, and unpredictable monsoons that are affecting their crop production. 

For many rural families, climate change is not a future threat but their living reality even though they have contributed the least to the crisis. This makes us raise an important question of fairness and justice. Environmental degradation often worsens existing social and economic inequalities. Poor communities frequently live in disaster prone areas as they cannot afford safer locations. The homes in disaster prone areas are less resilient to natural calamities. Whereas a wealthy family recovers in a short period of time as they have access to better resources and facilities. This shows that environmental problems are not limited to environment but are issues of social protection, human rights, and equality.

Air pollution is a serious issue and is increasing rapidly in our country, especially in Kathmandu. Today air pollution is not just an environmental concern but has become a major public health emergency.  According to a report published by World Bank in 2025, air pollution has become the leading risk factor for death and disability in Nepal. This report also estimates that polluted air causes around 26,000 premature deaths every year and reduces the average life expectancy of Nepalese people by 3.4 years. 

Every living citizen, especially traffic police, street vendors, construction workers, and other outdoor laborers have become the victim of growing air pollution. Most of them cannot afford masks, air purifiers, or private healthcare. Similarly children and elderly people are more vulnerable to the diseases caused by air pollution. It a leading cause to respiratory diseases, strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and other serious health conditions. Thus, clean air is not only an environmental issue but an issue of health equity and social justice. 

When we discuss about environmental degradation we often focus on physical damage, but its psychological impact often gets neglected. People affected by environmental crisis often experience psychological issues like stress, depression anxiety, fear, and PTSD (Post - traumatic Disorder). Nowadays young generation are increasingly experiencing “climate anxiety”. Climate anxiety is a growing fear about environmental destruction and an uncertain future. For a country like Nepal, where mental health is a stigma and mental health services are already limited, the psychological effects of environmental crisis deserves greater attention.  

Nowadays the environmental challenges are becoming relevant to social work practice. We know environmental disasters have direct impact on people's social, emotional, and economic wellbeing. Social workers frequently work and cooperates with vulnerable populations to help them recover. Social workers can also play an important role in environmental awareness programmes campaigns, and climate adaptation programmes. Environmental justice and social work share the same goal, protecting human dignity and improving wellbeing and lifestyle of vulnerable people.

To solve this issue from its roots, strong governance and strong public policy is much needed.  Nepal has taken multiple steps for solving this issues which includes introduction of environmental laws, climate adaptation strategies, and policies aimed at sustainable development. However, when it comes to proper implementation of these policies we fall behind. It is very much needed to ensure that environmental policies produce real benefits rather than remaining only on paper.

The environmental movement is not just only about tree plantation programmes and annual celebrations. We need these efforts but they are not enough to address the deeper social issues of environmental degradation. Nepal must recognise that protecting the environment is not only about conserving nature but also about creating a healthy, sustainable and equal society. Until and unless environmental policies puts vulnerable communities at the centre, true sustainability will remain out of reach.