Get documents about "Nepal rapid industrialization with minimum environmental damage
Document Sample
Nepa I: rapid industria Iizatio n
with minimum environmental damage
R.B. Shrestha, Founder, PUJ& INC., The Nepal Resource and information Center, 1050 Connecricur Ax. NW, P.0. Box 65037,
Wvhington , D.C. 20036, USA
environmental issues will be realized and under-
stood to a greater extent.
nalization with minimum environmentol damage, as envisioned by Nepal‘s
on Council, requires o practical framework for implementotion, as well os an Data gap
The majority of the reports written on the envi-
ronmental issues of Nepal are basically compila-
tions of information already in existence and
lengthy descriptions of problems that have al-
ready been identified. These reports usually do
not include the possible mitigatory measures and
suitable implementation mechanisms to solve
the problems described. Such reports only help
memorialize the problems. This could be one of
the reasons most of the reports remain just
“reportsfor collection”,or reports to he left in the
file cabinet to age into historic documents.
The identification of solutions, and of the
lizaci6n con el mhimo dafio medioombientol posibie, como propu- strategies to enforce them, are some of the
i6n Medioambiental de Nepal, requiere aplicor un morco de trobojo
ura institucionol apmpiado o disposicih de /as agenaos respon- important factors that determine the utility and
aciones. El modelo conceptuol para el marco de implementaci6n relevance ofa report for the prescribed purposes.
autos relotivos o la industria ya experimentadas y aplicadas en The emphasis on the development of an imple-
lor en Estados Unidos mentation framework in the present exercise
underlines the shortage and need of solution-
oriented road maps, rather than prevailing prob-
lem-oriented reports.
Introduction Identification of current problems Lack of an information network
In Nepal, the pollution of the Bagmati and Vish- Crisis in perception There is a lack of concrete access to information
numati Rivers, excessive suspended particulate In Nepal, due to the relative newness of the sub- on the experience of other countries with indus-
matter in the atmosphere of the Kathmandu Val- ject matter, environmental pollution issues have try and environment. The lack of information
ley (World Bank, 1991), and the waste manage- long been perceived to he synonymous with the on environmental alternatives being implement-
ment problem of the Balajn Industrial District country’s deforestation and soil erosion proh- ed for industrial pursuits by developed countries
(1UCN,1992), to name a few, exemplify the lems. The incorporation of environmental mat- presents a serious constraint to policy-makers,
environmental impacts of industrial dwelop- ters with forestry to create the Department of with respect to the identification and selection of
ment and uncontrolled urbanization taking Forestryand Environment (DFE) in 1991 illus- industries and applicable technologies that are
p he. trates the continuity of this misperception. The relevant to, and compatible with, the country’s
But these impacts are not unpreventahle, nor interrelationship between industry and the envi- environmental policy goals. In addition, there is
are they unremediable. Pittsburgh, a major
industrial city and the environmental nightmare
ronment is yet to be fully realized by policy-
makers and the general public. Due to such
at present no systematic effort to gather and
evaluate Nepal’s own experience with industrial
-
of the 1950s, for instance, is now one of the perceptual deficiencies, the nature and extent of pursuits and performance, or the means to make
cleanest and most liveable cities in the United environmental problems have continued to he the existing industrial database accessible to the
States (Businessweek, 1988). The key is the misunderstood. This has, in effect, undermined industrial community, such as the Federation of -
formulation of sound industrial planning and the efforts of government agencies to prioritize Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
the strategicenforcement ofenvironmental laws, environmental problems and identify the appro- (FNCCI) andlor interested parties.
with appreciable, tangible results. priate methods to solve them. Strengthening of the existingdatabase support
W~th well-defined environmental regulations Now, with the establishment of the Environ- system at the MOI (Nepal Industrial Data Sys-
and a practical implementation framework, plus mental Protection Council within the National tem) with information on environment and
a suitable institutional set-up to go with it, rapid Planning Commission (NPC) and the integra- technology offers a viable option for the mitiga-
industrialization with minimum environmental tion of environment with the functioning of tion of such lacunae.
impairment, as envisioned by the Environmen- various government ministries, particularly the
tal Protection Council of His Majesty’s Govern- Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Hous- Delineation of priorities
ment of Nepal (EPC, August 1993), can wen- ing and Physical Planning (MHPP), it is expect- This exercise focuses on outlining the imple-
t u d y he a reality. ed that the multi-dimensional characteristics of mentation framework, rather than on the for-
UNEP Industry and Environment January - March 1995 + 39
? x w*n
AmA .-
_ _
LCIMILIATIQW holcct
Farmuladon
.
. facm or ~ w ~ m ' l m ~ i l y aFpmacn
c
, n Auerrmmt ol en++mn" IImpam
m
~ U I l l O N / cuwlw
I
I (arcmlng lo EPC SpsdRcaoan)
* Pnparadm ol Emergency Conungrncy Plan
a Preparator d bdr"0ma. EaucaI3ationPlan
EPA Dtrecbves (LW
I
Cmthprq Plan lol Emengasy
m~dkynght.ta(uW*Clinwith
.g. Univrony Cmry, M a r Ubfary)
,. ..... ,., ............
................
. . . . . . . .
.. , ., . .,
dmmpmlM m
dhMa and al&
to& Mmaag.
. . . . .
mularion ofcnvironmenrd regularion,. The rea- regularions are dreddy [here for Scpal IO choow specific enforccmcnr srrategies IO implcmcni [he
sons are as iollows. trom (see, for eximple, UN EP. 1992). Whai naiional plans deigned and devcloped fnr rhem
Firsr o ( d , modern indurtridiution ic nor 3 Nepal ne& rodo now is fixuson rrinicrprrring by the Narlonal Planning Commission S c m -
new phenomenon char origindrcd in Ncpal. Ir is rhc available laws, nirional or inrernarional. in a raridr, a policy-making body of HUG. Absence
new here b e a u s Ncpal starred irs devclopmenr Nepalcse perspcctivc and enforce [hem srrarcgi- of implcmenurion >rratcgies in overall opera-
process rarher lare. Hisroricilly speaking, i r cally according IO local cprcificA and nerds. In tional procedures is being rccognizrd a one of
s
began a wrly as rhc I6rh crnrury in h e wrstcrn view of rhe pre.wnr conrexr of developmental rhrcaauscc utineffictiveneu in the funcrioningoi
world, primarily in whar is now the united urgency and margind resources, Nepal doec nor governmcnr insrirurims. 'I hc imporrance of rhe
Europeor [he European communi^. Since rhcn havc time nor can ir afford ro become engaged in implcmenrariun aspecr is rhcrefore ohvious.
numerous laws, acts dnd direcrives have been rhr proverbial "reinvenrion of [he wheel". 'l'hird, proper urilizdrion of rhe knowlcdgc
proposed, devcloperl and enforced wirh con- Srcond, 3 majority of rhcgovernmenr instltu- and erprricnce ofrhe indusrrializcd counrrics in
riderablesuccess in many parr? ofthe world, The Lions uf Ilis Majesry's C;ovcmmcnr arc ccking rhc implen~nrariunof environmental regula-
40 * UNEP lnaustry and Environment landary - Marcn 1995
tions is one of the eficient and economical tory compliance would be necessary. government’s requirement for large amounts of
means of building an industrid system in Nepal The institutional arrangement presented in detailed information to determine the most fea-
that is environmentally sound, sustainable, and Table 2 constitutes such a structure. Various sible and appropriate level of control for each
suitable to its own socio-cultural demands and government entities representing different plant or product, and above all provide the
economic needs. Furthermore, it helps prevent aspects of industrial functions are categorized government with a source of revenue to support
the repetition of the blunders of developed into a specific group or committee correspond- pollution control programmes. In addition, eco-
nations in the process of industrialization. ing to the three phases - pre-operation, opera- nomic instruments have the capacity to regulate
tion and post-operation - ofthe industrialization pollution according to market mechanisms and
Implementation framework process. It is designed to simplify and expedite thus facilitate deregulation and a reduction in
The implementation framework outlined in the processing of papenvork and exchange of government involvement.
Table 1 is an attempt to provide an option to information among pertinent departments of
HMG, particularly the Ministry of Industry, for government, so that the department concerned Strategy 2 - Inclusion of socio-cultural
strategies to address the country’s need for an can reach a decision with greater efficiency and factors in an industrial planning and
effective means to make industrial development speed. This in turn will enhance the promotion enforcement scheme:
more compatible with its environmental of industrial growth in Nepal. The present state Philosophically speaking, the popularity or suc-
concerns. This framework is also an attempt to of stagnation and prolongation in the industrial cess of a system in a country, whether it is poliri-
provide a baseline for the implementing agencies licensingand project appraisal process can rhere- cal, legal or even industrial for that matter, is
in Nepal to help enforce the environmental fore be significantly reduced. traditionally determined by the extent to which
ngulationscurrently being developed by HMG. The basic strength of this new arrangement is the socio-cultural values and economic priorities
It consists of three components, which corres- its features: minimal paperwork, public partici- of its citizens are taken into account. Keeping
pond to three conventional phases of a typical pation in every step, and transparency in the this in developmental perspective, it is advisable
industrial project: overall activities of government agencies from to design the enforcement scheme according to
+ Pre-operation (Project Formulation and Plan- proposal appraisal and licensing to project local beliefs and priorities. In sum, industrial
ning); approval and project implementation. growth along with environmental protection
+ Operation (Project Implementation); and should serve the local values.
+ Post-operation (Waste Management and Dis- Enforcement strategies
posal). Strategy 3 - Acconntabiliw of implementing
- I
Each component indudes a set of environ- Strategy 1 -Application of economic agencies:
mental actions, and the applicableforeign as well instruments: The enforcing agencies should be made respon-
as domestic regulations. Various representative Since the inception of environmental policy in sible for the success or failure of the zovern-
”
government agencies, as well as non-government most developed nations, the commandand- merit's environmental policies. The score cards
institutions, who can play an instrumental role control approach has been the predominant stra- on each implementing agency should be made
in assisting new industries to undertake specific tegy (Bernstein, 1993). This involves direct available to the public upon request, on an
environmental actions and thus comply with the regulation, along with monitoring and enforce- annual basis. The Nepal Forum for Environ-
identified regulations, constitute the guiding ment systems, and relies primarily on applica- mental Journalists (NFEJ) andlor similar non-
committee of the respective component. tions of regulatory instruments such as governmental organizations (NGOs) could keep
A strength of this framework is the inclusion standards, permits and licenses, as well as land track of the duties and performance of the en-
of rhe implementation strategies and regulations and water use controls. The command-and- forcing agencies for the purpose of general infor-
that enjoy public acceptance and have proven control approach affords the regulator a rea- mation. The theme here is: authority must
records of success in the country where they have sonable degree ofpredictability about the extent always be accountable.
been implemented. The Community Right to to which pollution levels will be reduced.
Know Act, or Title I11 of the Superfund Amend- However, this approach has proven to be eco- Strategy 4 - Industry for the people, by the
ment and Reauthorization Act (SARA), 1986, nomically inefficient and difficult to enforce, people:
for example, has proven very effective in enforc- particularly in countries where a non-perform- Popular consensus, and participation in policy
ing scores of environmental laws and material- ing bureaucracy and regulatory non-compliance formulation and decision-making,will only help
izing public participation in pollution control are still facts oflife. enforce regulatory provisions. Therefore, the
activities in the United States. Given the com- In view of those difficulties, many countries appropriate political message of the current
m o d i t y in the basic nature of the problems that have heguo to adopt economic instruments to developmental campaign should be: “Industry-
are inherent in the process of industrialization, introduce more flexibility, efficiency and cost- for the people, by the people”.
enforcement of similar actions after necessary effectiveness into pollution control measures.
modification according to a country’s socio-eco- The economic instruments utilized in developed Strategy 5 -Environment for industry:
nomic priority should not be a difficult task.
The success or failure of our effort, of course,
countries, particularly in the United States, are :
+pollution charges (e.g. disposal charges, user’s
Environmental preservation is necessary; so is
industrialization. Environmental issues should
-
depends on our seriousness in obscrving the pro- fees); not be the factors inhibiting industrial growth.
cedures laid out by the framework. + market creation (e.g. subsidies, tax differentia- Rather, environmental concerns should provide a
The industry-related guidelines already exper- tion); sense of duty among the industrialists to seek a
-
imented with and enforced, with results of pro- + deposit-refund system (e.g. recycling compen- balance between industry and environment. The
ven efficacy, in the industrialized countries, sation); and promotion of a waste management programme
particularly the United States, serve as the + enforcement incentives (e.g. non-compliance itself as a profit-making industry would provide
conceptual model for thii framework. fees). impetus for industrialists to become environmen-
These instruments act as incentives to pollut- talists as well, and thereby perceive environmental
Institutional arrangement ers to choose their own means of pollution problems as industrialopportunities. FNCCI can
In order for government authorities to enforce control. When properly implemented, econo- playasignificant role in this prospective.
this implementation framework, a well-organ- mic instruments have several advantages over
ized institutional structure capable of guiding, regulatory instruments. They stimulate the Strategy 6 - Industry for environment:
coordinating and monitoring the activities of development of pollution control technology The key here is the selection of environmentally
industries to maintain a certain level of regula- and expertise in the private sector, eliminate a sound technologies, with an emphasis on the
UNEP Industry and Environment January - March 1995 + 41
i 42 UNEP Industry and Environment lanuary - March 1995
1 1 POST-OPERATION (WASTE MANAGEMENT):
1.
GUIDING COMMiTTEE 1 (WASTE TRUTMENT, UTillZATlON AND MANAGEMENT) RESPONSiBLE
AGENCY
REPRESENTED BY * DirtrictlClW Council (DCOI
. . ISolid waste manaaementl ~.
-.Department. !?!Hea!t!!PH). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Public. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . health)
FUNCTION * Develop and enforce guidance for waste collection, waste reduction,
-
recycling, and overail waste management
Protect public health and environment
............................................................................................................................................................................................
GUiDlNG COMMITTEE 2 (WASTE DESTRUCTiONlDlSPOSAL):
(DCO)
(DOH)
REPRESENTED BY Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) (Technology reiectian)
*Water and Energy Commirrionr (WECS) Waste discharge)
* DirtrictiCity Council (Solid waste management)
* Department of Health (Public health, safety)
5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Businerr. .perspective. of. .waste. .management). . . . . . . . . .
....... ......... . .... ............
FUNCTION (DCO)
* Manage NPDES-type system for discharge of waste effluent (liquid waster) into
environmentat the safe level by environmentally benign techniques when waste
treatment or destruction is economically and/or technologically infeasible WEC)
*Operate POW-type (liquid) waste treatment uni8 (WEC)
* Selection of best available and affordable technology ~~
(RONAST)
* Commercializationof waste management practicer
............................................................................................................................................................... (NIDC)
GUlDiNG COMMITTEE 3 (MONiTORING/INSPECTlON):
MPRESENTEDBY * Environment Protection Council (EPC) (Regulatory safeguard)
* Ministry of Health (MOH) (Protection of health
and envimnmental)
-
Ministry of interior(M0int) (taw enforcement)
* .Tribhuvan. University (TU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Resear$. . and analysis). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. ......... ............... ........ ............
FUNCTION * Develop and implement rampiing protocoir, scheduler, and standards (MOH)
*Annual facility inspection (EPC + MOH)
* Rerearch and analysis (TU)
* I~uance notice of violation and investigation
of (EPC)
* Enforcement of environmental iaws (EPC+MOlnt)
I-.
utilization of environmentally benign materials, gerial terms, NGOs possess a number of advan- ronmental problems in Nepal. At least not yet,
and the adaptation of process-specific waste tages over government institutions. Being admin- The scale of industrialization is still too small,
separation and minimization schemes. istratively independent, NGOs have flexibility compared with that in developed countries, to
and adaptability in choosing and implementing make any significant impact on the environment
Agenda for Action: appropriate programmes. NGOs have also been of Nepal. The present support system that has
+Develop political commitment and consensus more successfulin generating meaningful partici- come with the industrial establishments is, how-
among and between policy-makers and the pation of minorities, women and economically ever, the problem. Uncontrolled urbanization,
general public, with a focus on promoting envi- disadvantagedgroups ofpeople in environmental population growth, and overexploitation of
ronmentally sound industrial development. planning and implementation processes ( E S W , existing physical facilities by the incoming
+ Identi@ and select industrial activities that are 1990).
~~ migrant workers are responsible for the current
compatible with goals of environmental protec- + Educate people through the mass media (e.g. environmental problems. The lack of enforce-
tion set out by government institutions. television) or communication programmes to able strategies, and the political will, to face these
+ Localize industrial activities by designating bring about awareness in the general public problems at the human level have further exacer-
specific sites for industrialization within the regarding the possible adverse impacts of indus- bated them.
framework of zoning programmes. This will trial activities on the environment. With the current policy of giving national
help manage industrial development in a more + Develop human resources for environmental priority to industrial means for the pursuit of
organized way, and thus help bring about a and industrial skills. During the last five to ten poverty alleviation and rapid economic develnp-
balance in population distribution. Improve- years many new industries have opened, with ment (UNIDO, 1992), growth in industrial -
ment in the existing land-use pattern, with the plants operating with processes and products activities is inevitable. Looking at the exper-
delineation of industrial zones, offers an option new to Nepal. In cases where new technology iences of developed countries like the United
for such purposes. has been introduced without adequate human States and Japan, it becomes obvious that there is
+Develop social infrastructure serving the needs resources, there has been heavy reliance on the a socio-economic benefit in making environ- -
of migrant workers (e.g. health care systems, use of imported skills from India to secure the mental protection an integral part of policy
school systems, housing facilities for the labour running of the plants. The lack of technicians planning and implementation.
force, etc.) in and around the area designated for and managers with an adequate background in Guiding principles for the pursuance of envi-
an industrial establishment. environmental science is most strongly felt in the ronmentally compatible industrial policies are
+ Devise mechanisms to build waste manage- private sector. offered by factors such as the desire for economic
ment itselfinto an industry (e.g. recycling facili- efficiency; compatibility with administrative,
ties, domestic production of pollution control Discussion and remarks political and judicial frameworks, economic
equipment, reclamation or material recovery With the exception of some of the industries in conditions, and tax structure; political accepta-
plants). and around the Kathmandu Valley, industrial bility of instruments; ease of monitoring and
+Mobilize NGOs. In organizational and mana- units as such are not the major sources of envi- enforcement; consistency with overall environ-
UNEP Industry and Environment Ianuary - March 1995 + 43
mental policy; and compliance with relevant References IUCNiNPC (November 1992) Bahju Indunk1 Dir
ATAS (sprin 1992) EnvironmrntaNy Sound Trchnulngy nicr Pollution C a m 1S d y .
international agreements.
for Swtainnb~Developmcnt,Issue7. United Nations. IUCNlNPC (Decemberl993) Legislative and Institu-
Further efforts towards the development of tional Framework for Environmental Management in
enforcement strategies to make industrial pur- Bernstein, Janis D. (May 1993) Alternative Approach
to Pollution Connol and Watt Management: Rrgub~ory Nepal.
suits environmentallysound and sustainable,as and Economic Inmumenti. UNDP/UNCHS/World MAB/UNESCO (1977) Guidrlincrfor F i d d S d i e ~in
envisaged in this exercise, can be considered a Bank, Washington, D.C., pp. 3-5. Environmental Perception.Technicd Note Series N" 5,
worthwhile endeavour. Burinerimrk (22 October 1988) Corporare Cities, p. 99.
p. 22. MOI (1993) Induma1 Stditics: Manu actunnglndu
Acknowledgements 40 C.F.R Part 190-199 (US EPA), 1992. trirr. F/Y2049/2050 (1992/1993). Kdmmandu.
The author wishes to express sincere thanks to EPA Fact Shret, 1992 (a) Resource Conservation and New Era uuly 1991) National Report on United
the United Nations Development Programme Recovery Act (RCRA), 1976. U EPA.
S Natiom Confrrence on Environmrnt and Dcvclopmmt
(UNDP), Kathmandu, for the opportunity to EPA Fact Shtet, 1992 (b) Superfund Amendment and (UNCED). Counny :Ncpnl
participate in the TOKTEN Consulting Mis- Reauthorization Act (SARA), 1986. US EPA. UNDP (July 1993) Industrial Pollurion Control Man-
sion with the Ministry of Industry of His Majes- agement. NEN9 1/029/A/01/99 (Project Document).
EPC (Au ust 1993) Nepal Environmcntal Policy and
ty's Government of Nepal. Action P k n (NEPAP): Integrating Environment and UNEP pres release (September 1992) From Regulntion
Dmlopment. HMG. to Indunial Compliancr- Buildkg Indurmal Capsbib-
The author remains grateful to the staffs of tics (UNEP IE Technical Report No 1 1).
the Ministry ofhdustry, HMG for their coope- %CAP (1990) "Role of the Media and Non-Govetn-
mental Organizations in the Promotion of Public Par- UNIDO (1987) Sutainabh Indutrialization through
ration and support in the preparation of the ticiparion in Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Optimal Managmolt o Natural Rrrourccr US/NEP/
f
post-mission report. Developmen?, Media Symposium on Communica- 87/052/11-01/02/04 (Technical Report).
Note: Thii article has been excerptedfrom the tion for Environment, Economic and Social Commis- UNIDO (March 1992) Environmental Policies and
I994post-miiiion report preiented to the United sion for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok, 10-16 October Industrial Pollution. DP/NEP/90/020 (Technical
Nations Developmenthopamme (UNDP) by the 1990. Report).
authurfollowing the completion o his TOKTEN
f IUCN/NPC (December 1991) Sourccr of lndumial World Bank (1991) BagmatiBain Dcvepmmt Projtct
PoNution in Nepal. A NatiunalSumcy.
consulting mirrron in Nepal. Report, Kathmandu. + ,'
44 + UNEP Industry and Environment lanuary - March 1995
Related docs
