KATHMANDU, DEC 22 - Scores of environmental legal instruments exist in the country but most of them have remained as ‘paper law’ due to the lack of proper implementation mechanisms. This was noted by participants at a workshop, here today, organised by Centre for Environmental Law, Nepal and IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Nepal.
Govinda Bahadur Shrestha, Justice of the Supreme Court, said the present efforts made towards the protection of the environment was not adequate in addressing the problems, despite the commitments made, as a contracting party to the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
"The obligations made by some of the Conventions are still to be formulated as policies and laws here", he said.
Batu Krishna Upreti, Environmental Officer at Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, said, "The international conventions are signed without adequate homework". He emphasised on proper vision and information exchange prior to signing any document ~ ~
"The international environmental instruments play an important role in formulating the National environmental document ~ ~ ", said Dr Mahesh Banskota, Country Representative-IUCN Nepal, while speaking at the programme. He also stressed on the importance of dissemination of legal aspects of environmental issues to the concerned implementing agencies.
He said that IUCN Nepal has been assisting His Majesty’s Government to formulate policies relating to environment.
Dr Ravi Sharma Aryal stressed on progress report and gaining regional commitment prior to attending any Conference of Parties (COPs). He said, "The agreement and disagreement on issues should be finalised before heading to the COPs.
Laxman Mainali, Legal Officer at Ministry of Population and Environment, and Dr Tara Prasad Sapkota, Assistant Professor at Nepal Law Campus, respectively presented papers on implementation of MEAs on brown and green sectors of the environment.
Participants concluded that the implications of the document ~ ~ its relevance and fulfilment of its obligations, should be anticipated prior to signing any international agreement.
At present 29 multilateral agreements have been signed by Nepal. Of this, the government has already ratified 19. The latest international agreement was signed on 5th April 2002 for Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.Posted on: 2003-12-23 04:30

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