Country assessments of the state of environmental movement in Nepal

Nepal faces myriads of environmental challenges as the country steadily industrialised and urbanised these challenges continue to grow both in size and complexity. This paper reviews the trends and activities of environmental organisations in Nepal, reflecting the weaknesses and constrains that they face.

The main findings of the paper are:

• civil society organisations have significantly influenced the government decision to enact environmental legislations and to ratify international treaties
• igovernment legislations have made it easier for civil society organisations to carry out its operations
• the movements carry out awareness programmes at school and colleges and work with local development NGOs about improving their local environments
• appropriate mechanisms have not been put in place to address the emerging environmental problems such as in setting pollution standards and penalising the violators
• there is distrust between government agencies, the private sector and the conservation community due to the misconception that conservation and development cannot go together
• most NGOs lack the capacity to provide effective support to organisations and communities in fighting environmental degradation
• NGOs networks have been formed in response to external demands, either by the government, bilateral organisation or an international NGO
• there is a need to strengthen local NGOs; supporting the development of the capacity to advocate and also act as pressure groups on the environment are vital.

The paper concludes that these environmental challenges need to be dealt with as part of improving people's livelihoods. It reveals that a possible change to the movements maybe on the horizon as a task force has been formed to look at how environmental issues can be approached collectively.