Kathmandu: The Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources Committee of the House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Forests and Environment to assume a facilitative role in ensuring the completion of under-construction projects, including the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project. This directive comes amidst ongoing issues related to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports of these projects.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the committee’s recent meeting emphasized the need to address problems arising from the EIA reports and other highlighted issues. Committee President Kusum Devi Thapa stated that despite conducting environmental impact assessments, work in national park and conservation areas has been stalled, prompting the call for the Ministry’s facilitation.
In the meeting, lawmaker Birendra Mahato underscored the importance of balancing development with environmental conservation. He stressed that development activities should not be obstructed under the pretext of environmental protection. Similarly, lawmaker Saraswati Subba criticized the Ministry’s hindrance of hydropower project progress, especially as the government pushes for policies promoting electric vehicles to protect the environment.
Further, lawmaker Mina Tamang cautioned against using development facilitation as a pretext to damage the environment. Addressing the committee, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, highlighted the legal challenges facing hydropower projects with prior investment and EIA approval. Mishra stated that even when 95 percent of a project’s work is completed, the remaining five percent often faces delays due to issues related to national parks or conservation areas. He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support developmental and construction works.