Kathmandu: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to ensure the constitutional and legal right to a safe, healthy, and clean environment.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the NHRC has emphasized a human rights-oriented development methodology, following the standards of sustainable development, while calling for the 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,” states a press release issued by Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, Spokesperson of the Commission.
Today marks the 53rd World Environment Day, which is also being observed in Nepal with various programs. Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal establishes the right to a clean environment as a fundamental right and asserts that every citizen has the right to live in a healthy and clean environment.
Furthermore, Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS outlines that 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, to which Nepal is a party, it is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens from the dangers and risks of environmental pollution while also ensuring environmental rights.