Development objective of ESPS

The development objective of ESPS is similar to the development objectives of all components and sub-components.

The ownership to the ESPS is with the HMG/N. Therefore, the development objective of ESPS should be strictly in accordance with the HMG/N’s environmental policy and strategy (the National Element). This policy is formulated in the Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan (NEPAP).

The Development Objective is directly quoted from NEPAP as follows:

      ·        To manage efficiently and sustainable environmental policy;

      ·        To balance development efforts and environmental conservation for sustainable fulfillment of the basic    needs of the people;

      ·        To safeguard national heritage;

      ·        To mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of development projects and human actions;

      ·        To integrate environment and development through appropriate institutions, adequate legislation and     economic incentives, and sufficient public resources.

 Progress of the National Element has mainly been achieved in two areas: through the support to the development of the public-private partnership and through the support to the establishment/strengthening of adequate environmental institutions. This support will probably promote an industrial development on environmentally friendly and sustainable conditions.

Through significant assistance from HMG to the private sector, confidence and awareness nave been created, which is supposed to facilitate an easier implementation of pollution prevention and control measures to mitigate the adverse effect of industrial activities.

Capacity on key environmental tools has been build up at IEM, in a new environmental consultancy sector, in the Ministries, in private sector organizations and in almost 100 industries.

The challenge in the next implementation period is to get the political level involved to develop sustainable environmental policies and to get the environmental legislation adjusted.

The challenge in the private sector is to get many more industries in progress with the implementation of the environmental improvements.

The 6 gazetted wastewater standards in Nepal Gazette was a great break through for the ESPS implementation strategy. The standards will require pollution prevention initiatives (Cleaner Production application), which will be offered to all affected industries. ESPS is working with the combined stick and carrot approach, which again will facilitate the balanced industrial development and environmental conservation.

MOPE has carried through the basic work of setting emission standards for petrol, diesel and LPG vehicles.

ESPS has got IEM well established and the institution is now acknowledged by the private sector as well as Ministries of HMG. IEM is essential as the permanent institution even after ESPS is phased out. IEM is supposed to absorb some of the trained consultants and employ them as IEM consultants. 18 persons have been intensively trained and through services provided by these trainers, IEM has collected course fees (up to 40,000 NRs per industry) from all industries outside HID. A fragment of a new financially independent environmental consultancy sector is formed and has so far shown that almost all industries are willing to pay for the services of IEM.

It is assumed that a better integration of environmental and development effort will be further enhanced through the newly established ESPS supported environmental cells of FNCCI and MCCI.

The reductions of pollution load from the industries participating in CP have been significant and will contribute to further awareness creation and safeguarding of environment in the target areas. Approximately 80 % of the BOD load, 45 % of dust emissions and approximately 790 tons of solid waste are the total potential reductions in HID industries. 111 (or 22 %) of the recommended CP/OHS options were implemented by HID industries in March 2001.

Updated : 20 June 2001