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Allow resource export: MoE
KATHMANDU, JAN 09 -
The Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the parliamentary Natural Resources and Means Committee (NRMC) are not on the same page as far as the export of natural resources is concerned.
The differences came to the fore after the Ministry of Environment maintained on Saturday that extractors should be allowed to export sand, boulders and crushed stones as long as they follow existing rules and regulations. The ministry's stance is in sharp contrast with that of the committee, which had, on Jan. 4, directed the government to prohibit export of sand, boulders, crushed stones and other resources to India from the Chure range and other parts until further notice. The committee has asked its Forest Sub-Committee to study the environmental impact caused by unabated extraction and export of resources and suggest mitigation measures.
Friday's meeting chaired by Environment Minister Thakur Prasad Sharma had decided to allow extraction of natural resources in compliance with existing laws, including the Environment Protection Act 2053 and Environment Protection Guidelines 2054.
Top officials from other ministries, including Finance, Forests and Soil Conservation, Physical Planning and Works, and Commerce and Industries were present at the meeting.
The MoE said in a statement on Saturday that the government has expressed concern over the parliamentary committee's decision to prohibit the export of natural resources. It warned that rule violators will be fined and face strong action.
However, Santa Chaudhary, chairperson of the NRMC, said the ministry had not forwarded any notice to the committee in this regard. “We are not aware of the government decision. The government should implement the committee's decision until further notice,” according to Chaudhary.
The NRMC chairperson maintained that the sub-committee under the NRMC will carry out a field study on sand and stone export to India and submit its report to the full committee. Environment ministry officials were not available for comment.
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