KATHMANDU: Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi highlighted the significant impact of air pollution on human, biological, and ecological systems, calling for urgent measures to minimize and control it.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Shahi made these remarks during the inauguration of the second conference of environmental human rights defenders, organized by the National Human Rights Commission. He expressed his commitment to advancing policy and institutional reforms aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Emphasizing the sensitivity of the ministry to the impacts of air pollution on communities, Shahi advocated for increased green development and the use of electric vehicles as strategies to mitigate pollution. He also linked environmental conservation to economic prosperity by suggesting that forests and the environment can enhance income levels.
During the conference, Supreme Court Justice Sapana Malla Pradhan reiterated that the right to a clean environment is a fundamen
tal right, underscoring the need for environmental justice. Tapa Bahadur Magar, President of the Commission, remarked on the necessity of balancing development and environmental considerations for the benefit of citizens.