i Government of Nepal Ministry of Agriculture Development Nepal Agriculture and Food Security Project ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK July 2012 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized
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i
Government of Nepal
Ministry of Agriculture Development
Nepal Agriculture and Food Security Project
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
July 2012
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Particular acknowledgement goes to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for
their financial support to prepare this document. Similarly, we are grateful for the assistance of
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Institute for Integrated Development
Studies (IIDS) to carry out the situation analysis and field study to prepare this framework.
Our special thanks goes to Mr. Shyam K. Upadhyaya of Institute for Integrated Development
Studies (IIDS) and Ms. Xinshen Diao and Mr. Pramod Kumar Joshi of International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for their invaluable effort to prepare this document. This
document would never have taken shape without their hard work.
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Abbreviation and Acronyms
CBS Central Bureau of Statistics
CFUG Community Forestry Users Groups
DADO District Agriculture Development Office
DDC District Development Committee
DESMC District Environment and Social Management Committee
DLSO District Livestock Services Office
DoA Department of Agriculture
DoLS Department of Livestock Services
DPSU District Project Support Unit
EA Environment Assessment
ECP Environment Code of Practices
EIA Environment Impact Assessment
EMP Environment Management Plan
FWDR Far-Western Development Region
GAFSP Global Agriculture and Food Security Project
GEED Gender Equity and Environment Division
GoN Government of Nepal
IEE Initial Environment Examination
IPM Integrated Pest Management
IPNS Integrated Plant Nutrient System
MoAD Ministry of Agriculture Development
MoLD Ministry of Local Development
MWDR Mid-Western Development Region
NAFSP Nepal Agriculture and Food Security Project
NARC Nepal Agriculture Research Council
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NGO Non-governmental Organizations
OP Operation Policy
PESMC Project Environment and Social Management Committee
PMU Project Management Unit
PPO Plant Protection Officer
PRMS Pesticide Registration and Management Section
RPPL Regional Plant Protection Laboratory
RPSU Regional Project Support Unit
SDAN Sustainable Development Agenda for Nepal
SMD Soil Management Directorate
VDC Village Development Committee
WB World Bank
WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development
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EMP, institutional arrangements for the implementation of the EMF, project level environmental
monitoring framework, capacity strengthening plan, consultation framework, and environmental code
of practices.
Screening and Categorization of Sub-projects: All sub-projects will be screened for potential
environmental risks. The Social mobilizer of the local service provider and the relevant expert
assigned by the District Project Support Unit (DPSU) will conduct environmental screening, and
categorize sub-projects as A, B, or C based on the risk levels. Category A sub-projects are high of risk
and need to do an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). NAFSP will not fund category A sub-
projects. Category B sub-projects are of moderate environmental risks and may require to do an Initial
Environmental Examination (IEE2) before they can be approved for implementation. These sub-
projects require an Environment Management Plan (EMP). Category C sub-projects pose no or lower
level of environmental risks. An Environmental Code of Practices (ECoP) will be adequate for these
sub-projects.
Environment Management Plan: All sub-projects that need to do IEE are required to prepare an EMP.
The EMP will consist of the following main components: (i) Description of the sub-project, (ii)
potential environmental risk of the sub-project, (iii) mitigation measures, (iv) monitoring plan, and (v)
capacity building strategy. Annex 8 of this EMF provides a sample EMP for sub-projects.
Institutional Arrangement for the Implementation of the EMF: The Technical Assistance (TA) Team
at the PMU would include an Environmental Specialist (ES) position. The ES would coordinate all
environment related activities of the project. The PMU would have a Project Environment and Social
Management Committee (PESMC) as a sub-committee of proposed Technical Committee. The
Project Director (PD) of NAFSP would chair the PESMC. Other members of the PESMC would
include representatives from GEED, technical directores and offices under DoA and DLS, Departmen
of Food Technology and Quality Control, Seed Quality Control Center etc. It may also invite
environmental experts from other line agencies as per need. At district level, a District Environment
and Social Management Committee (DESMC) would be formed at DPSU. The DPSU coordinator
will chair the DESMC. Other members of DESMC would include plant protection officer of DADO,
representatives from DLSO, DFO, DSWCO, DDC, DWDO, LSP, and Project Affected People.
The ES will be responsible for preparing the ToR for IEE. The ES will visit sub-project sites and hold
consultations with different stakeholders during the preparation of the ToR for IEE. The Agriculture
and Environment Conservation Committee at the MoAC will approve IEE ToR. The DPSU or the
independent consultant hired by the DPSU will conduct IEE and prepare report. The ES and the
2 IEE is legal term used in Nepal legislation referring limited Environmental Assessment.
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PESMC will review IEE report and forward it to the Agriculture and Environment Conservation
Committee for approval.
Environmental Monitoring Framework: NAFSP will ensure the following three levels of monitoring:
a baseline survey, compliance and impact monitoring, and an independent monitoring of the overall
environmental performance of the project. The baseline survey will prepare indicators for major
components of environment in sub-project area. The compliance and impact monitoring will quarterly
monitor whether the project implementers are implementing environmental mitigation measures they
have committed, and also monitor the impact of sub-projects activities on the baseline situation of the
environment. In addition, independent consultants will annually monitor the overall environmental
performance of the project.
Capacity Strengthening Plan: The EMF provides a capacity strengthening plan which consists of
staffing, and training for Gender Equity and Environment Division, Project management Unit, and
District project Support Unit as well as targeted environmental awareness and orientation activities.
Consultation Framework: The EMF identifies potential tasks for which the consultation is needed. It
also provides a list of potential stakeholders and suggests consultation mechanisms. Consultations
with relevant stakeholders are required during identification and selection of subproject,
environmental screening and categorization, IEE process, and monitoring.
Environmental Code of Practices: This EMF provides a generic ECoPs for the NAFSP. The
Environmental Consultant will prepare sub-project level ECoPs.
EMF implementation cost. Implementation of the EMF is estimated to about NRs 20 million over the
project period. This will cover orientation/ trainings, human resources, and monitoring. Subproject or
activity specific mitigation cost will have to be included at the overall cost of the subproject or
activity.
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Environment Management Framework for
Nepal Agriculture and Food Security Project
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
With funding support from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), the
government of Nepal is proposing to implement the Nepal Agriculture and Food security Project
(NEFSP) project in Nepal. The project aims to improve food security situation of poor and marginal
groups of population by increasing agricultural production, increasing livelihood options and household income, and improving utilization of food. The primary target groups of the projects are
food insecure households – marginal and small farmers, landless households, Dalits, indigenous, and
other vulnerable groups of population. The Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD) of Nepal is
the main implementing agency of this project. The World Bank is the supervising agency for the
project.
The implementation of development projects such as NAFSP could have both adverse and positive
impacts on environment. The national policies, laws, and regulations of Nepal, and the policies of the
World Bank require that the project should avoid adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts on the
environment. If some adverse environmental impacts are unavoidable, the project should devise
proper mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and implement them. This study assesses
current status of environment in project area, identifies overall impacts of the proposed project
activities on the environment, and prepares an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) for the
NAFSP. The main purpose of the EMF is to minimize and mitigate adverse impacts and maximize
positive impacts of project activities on the environment.
1.2 Objectives
The specific objectives of assignment are to:
a. To assess environmental risks and concerns associated with proposed project
components/activities.
b. To review environmental policy, acts/ regulations, guidelines and directives of Nepal and
with reference to the World Bank safeguard policies including Environmental Health and
Safety Guidelines of IFC in order to identify applicable provisions in the proposed project (component and activities).
c. To determine the environmental capacity of the institutions involved in the program,
including the environmental mandates, roles and responsibilities, functions & practices; to
define specific environmental mandates, functions and responsibilities of institutions during
implementation of the proposed project; and to develop a plan for addressing the identified
capacity gaps.
d To develop an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) for use during project
implementation with clear steps, processes, procedures and responsibilities including
various tools and summarize the EMF for inclusion in the Project Implementation
Manual (PIM) as well as prepare a brochure (in Nepali) on environmental approach of
the proposed program.
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1.3 Methodology
The study methodology includes the review and analysis of secondary information/data on
environment policies, acts, regulations, and current status of environment in the project area; and
stakeholder consultations. Several stakeholder consultations were held at central, regional, district,
and village levels. Stakeholders consulted included: donor agencies, government and non-
governmental organizations, and potential project beneficiaries. District level stakeholder
consultations were held in Nepalgunj (Banke), Dhangadi (Kailali), Martadi (Bajura), Silgadi (Doti),
Musikot (Rukum), and Khalang (Jumla). Focus group discussions were held with farmers in the above
six districts. The findings of focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations were reviewed at
regional validation workshops in Dipayal, Surkhet, and Khajura. Consultation reports are available
separately.3 The draft EMF was presented and discussed at a national workshop. The draft EMF will
be posted at websites of MoAD and the World Bank.
1.4 Organization of the Report
The remaining part of the report is organized as follows. Section two presents a brief description of
project. Section three examines current state of environment in project area, and existing
environmental management practices. Section four presents a review of World Bank’s and Nepal’s
policies on environment. Sectional five discusses institutional arrangements for environment
management and assesses capacity of those institutions. Section six explores potential impacts of the
project on environment in project area. Section sevendevelops an Environment Management
Framework (EMF) for NAFSP.
2. Project Description
2.1 Location of the Project
Project area covers two – mid-western development region (MWDR) and far-western development
region (FWDR) – out of five development regions of Nepal. It includes 24 out of 75 districts of Nepal.4 The MWDR has an area 42,373 square kilometer (28.79% of Nepal’ area) and the FWDR has
an area of 19,546 square kilometer (13.28% of Nepal’s area).5 Table 2.1 presents the number of
districts in different ecological zones of these two regions. Figure 2.1 presents map of these districts.
The project will give priority to 8 mountain districts (in red color in the map).
Mid-west hill 7 Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Surkhet
Mid-west Terai 3 Dang, Banke, Bardiya
Far-west mountain 3 Darchula, Bajhang, Bajura
Far-west hill 4 Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Doti, Achham
Far-west Terai 2 Kanchanpur, Kailali
Total 24
3Upadhyaya, Singh, and Aryal (2012).
4It was later decided that the NAFSP would be implemented only in 19 hills and mountain districts. However,
many regional offices are located in terai and project activities aimed to strengthen them would be undertaken
interai. 5The total area of Nepal is 147,181 square kilometer.
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Figure2.1 : NAFSP Project Districts
2.2 Project Objective
The project development objective is to enhance household food security through increased
agricultural productivity, household incomes, and improved nutritional practices.
2.3 Project Components
The project has the following four main components:
1. Technology Development and Adaptation: The purpose of this component is to identify,
test, and adapt new and improved technologies that best fit the social, environmental, and
economic context of the mid- and far-western development regions and that will contribute to increased productivity of crops and livestock by making available appropriate technology,
resources (seeds and breeds) and taking research and development closer to farmers to ensure
proper varietal testing and adequate farmer feedback.. There are two sub components: (i)
Crops and (ii) Livestock. The crops sub-component comprises varietal development, selection
and maintenance; validation of integrated crop management technologies; and source seed
production. The livestock sub-component comprises improving breeding lines for goat and
poultry production, and development of improved management practices. Activities under this
component include: the development and release of improved crop varieties and related
agronomic packages (soil, water and plant management); breed improvement of goat and
backyard poultry, cattle, buffalo, and pond fish; husbandry (fodder, health and care) practices
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and improved management 9low cost feed, stall feeding, silvi-pasture); and production and
supply of quality seed and breeding materials. The main expected outputs from this
component will be release of improved crop and livestock varieties, improved production
packages for crop production, more problem-focused research and better extension support.
2. Technology Dissemination and Adoption: The purpose of this component is to disseminate
improved technologies and management practices among farmers (especially those developed
and promoted under Component 1).The component has five sub-components: (i) Crop
Production (disseminating improved varieties and practices through Farmers Field School);
(ii) Livestock Production (supporting backyard poultry in mountain districts, goat keeping in
mid-hill districts, and dairy in selected locations near markets); (iii) Local Seed Production
through farmers groups; (iv) Micro-irrigation (such as rehabilitation or improvement of
existing farmers managed irrigation channels) and On-farm Investments; and (v) Community
Mobilization and Extension Support. Items to be financed under this component include
group mobilization, training at different level, demonstrations and adoption support to farmers
and small-scale productive assets. At the ground level, farmer groups and para-workers/NGO
service providers will be involved, and will be technically backed up by respective line
departments. The expected results from this component are adoption of improved crop
varieties and practices by farmers, take-up of poultry and improved goat production and
enhanced availability of good quality seed for farmers at the local level.
3. Food Security and LivelihoodEnhancement: The purpose of this component is to enhance
livelihood by increasing income of targeted beneficiaries, ensuring better farm-gate prices to
farmers, and reducing vulnerability. The proposed activities under this componentinclude: agro-based income generation activities such as vegetable cultivation, and seed production;
and provision of small-infrastructure support such as micro-irrigation, agriculture produce
collection centres. There are three sub-components: (i) Vulnerability Reduction (involving
community level coping mechanisms, including revolving funds); (ii) Supporting
Producer/Enterprise Groups (from group organization around specific livelihood activities
through technical assistance on business development to marketing extension); and (iii) Skills
Training (enhancing employability and improving returns to labor).
4. Nutritional Status Enhancement: The purpose of this component is to improve nutritional
status of targeted beneficiaries through provision of dietary support, increased supply of
nutritious foods, promotion of appropriate nutrition, health, and hygiene practices. The target
group comprises pregnant and breast-feeding women, children under two years and
adolescent girls. The activities include food quality regulation and a pilot on social transfers
for pregnant women in food insecure areas and community based education program for
nutrition, health, and hygiene; production diversification (e.g, kitchen gardens and small
livestock rearing); improved home preparation and preservation of food; more appropriate
feeding and caring practices for pregnant/nursing women and 0-24 months old children;
improving micronutrient intakes during Critical Life-Stages; promoting “Women-friendly”
Household Investments and Practices such as treadle pumps, improved cooking stoves, biogas
plants and so on.
2.4 Project Alternative
The low productivity of crops compels farmers in the hills and mountain of these regions to cultivate
fragile lands causing landslides and soil erosion. The high rate of poverty has led to high dependence
of people on public natural resources for food and fuel which leads to loss of valuable biodiversity.
The alternative to the project is to continue these practices which lead to further deprivation of people
and environmental destruction.
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3. Current Status of Environment
Nepal is blessed with rich and diverse ecological resources. Climatic conditions vary from sub-
tropical to temperate. The altitude varies from a few hundred meters above the sea level to the highest
peak of the world. Environmental conditions differ across development and ecological regions. This
section examines current status of environment in mid- and far-western regions of Nepal.
3.1 Climate
The MWDR and FWDR of Nepal are relatively drier. These regions receive less amount of annual
rainfall than other regions of Nepal. More than 80 percent of rainfall occurs in rainy season. There are
also wide variations in rainfall patterns among the districts of these regions. The average annual
rainfall of Dolpa, which lies in the rain shadow area, is less than 500 mm. The average annual rainfall
of Jumla lies between 500 mm to 1,000 mm. The average annual rainfall of Kanchanpur, Kailali, Doti,
Salyan, Baitadi, Dailekh, and Dadeldhura lies between 1000 mm to 2000 mm. The average annual
rainfall of Darchula and Rukum (Musikot) lies between 2000 mm to 3000 mm. Some districts like
Dolpa falls under rain shadow area and receive very little amount of rainfall. Monsoon starts late.
However, these regions get more winter rains than other regions.6 The climate varies from sub-
tropical in Terai districts to temperate and alpine in the northern part of mountain districts.
3.2 Land and Soil
Land is a valuable environmental resource. Given that the livelihood of people in mid-western and
far-western regions are heavily dependent in agriculture, the quality and proper utilization of land are
crucial for ensuring food security of people in these regions. Poverty in these regions is closely linked
with the quality of land and other environmental resources.7 Table 3.1 presents land use pattern in
these regions (Figures 2.1 and 3.1). As the table shows, the agricultural land as a proportion of total
land area is lowest in mid-west mountain (3.21 percent) and highest in far-west Terai (41.43 percent).
The proportion of agricultural land is also low in mid-west hills and far-west mountain. More than
one-third area of the mid-west and far-west mountains is covered by snow. Annex 1 presents district
wise land use patterns in project area.
Table 3.1: Land use in Mid- and Far-western Regions
Area in hectare
Land Use Mid-west Far-West Nepal
Mountain Hills Terai Mountain Hills Terai
Forest 386,662
(18.06)
959340
(67.25)
373757
(54.28)
223075
(27.40)
418949
(62.33)
896152
(52.19)
5599760
(37.89)
Shrub 40,215
(1.88)
64207
(4.50)
22994
(3.34)
94913
(11.66)
73275
(10.90)
185156
(3.48)
1283231
(8.68)
6 See ANZDEC (2000).
7 See Upadhyaya (2010).
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Agriculture 68,769
(3.21)
199545
(13.99)
264218
(38.37)
108013
(13.27)
167668
(24.94)
477388
(41.43)
4061631
(27.48)
Water bodies 3,139
(0.15)
3804
(0.27)
6198
(0.90)
1295
(0.16)
1315
(0.20)
6301
(0.76)
64664
(0.43)
Barren Land 873272
(40.78)
171828
(12.05)
21395
(3.11)
101686
(12.49)
10803
(1.61)
122884
(2.13)
1683493
(11.39)
Snow 769298
(35.93)
27701
(1.54)
688562
(0)
285064
(35.02)
164
(0.02)
0
1974003
(11.36)
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 108377
Total 2141355
(100)
1426425
(100)
1066495
(100)
814046
(100)
672174
(100)
486889
14775159
Source: CBS (2008).
*Figures in parentheses are percent of total area.
Figure 3.2 present organic matter content of soil in mid- and far-western regions. About 76 percent of
soil samples tested in far-west had low organic matter content compared to 62 percent samples in the
mid-west. On the other hand, soil in mid-west was more acidic than the soil in the far-west. Annex 2
and 3 present district wise results of soil tests in these regions. In general, organic matter content of
soil in terai is lower than that of the soil in hill and mountain. Acidity is higher in the soils of hill and
mountain than in terai.
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Figure 3.1: Landuse map of mid-western region
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Figure3.2: Landuse map of far-western region
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Figure3.3: Organic matter content of soil in mid-west and far-west development regions
Mid-West Far-West
Figure 3.4: Soil PH in mid- and far-west development regions
Mid-West Far-West
Organic
Matter,
Low,
54.8,
62%
Organic
Matter,
Medium
, 27.2,
31%
Organic
Matter,
High,
6.5, 7%
Organic Matter
Content
Low
Medium
HighOrganic
Matter,
Low,
60.5,
76%
Organic
Matter,
Medium
, 15.7,
20%
Organic
Matter,
High,
3.4, 4%
Organic Matter
Content
Low
Medium
High
PH,
Acidic,
58, 58%
PH,
Neutral,
34.6,
35%
PH,
Alkaline,
7, 7%
PH
Acidic
Neutral
Alkaline
PH,
Acidic,
33.03,
32%
PH,
Neutral,
45.3,
44%
PH,
Alkaline,
24.06,
24%
PH
Acidic
Neutral
Alkaline
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3.3 Forest Resources
Forest Act and Regulation classify Nepal’s forest into six main categories: government managed
forests, protected areas, community forests, leasehold forests, religious forests, and private forests.
The ownership of first five categories of forests rests with the GoN. Community and leasehold forests
are managed by local communities. Area under forests and shrubs as a proportion of total area in mid-
western and far-western regions was 37.44% and 49.18% respectively which compares well with the
national average of 39.6%.
There are some discrepancies of data on total forest area among different sources. CBS data, which is based on 1999 Department of Forest Research and Survey data, indicate that the total area of forest in
the MWDR is 1,586,600 hectare (37.44 percent of the region’s area) whereas according to the mid-
western regional Forestry Directorate the total forest area in the region is 1,646,390.5 hectare. About
48 percent of forest area in this region is community managed (Table 3.2). There are 3,924
Community Forestry Users’ Groups (CFUGs) in this region managing 787,653 hectare of forest area
benefiting 474,124 households. Table 3.3 presents number of leasehold forests and its area. There are
1,015 leasehold forest users groups covering 10,715 hectare forest area. Protected areas and government managed forests comprise about 51 percent of total forest area in the MWDR. Table 3.4
presents protected areas and their associated buffer zone areas in this region.8 Out of the total of 10
national parks of the country, the MWDR houses 4 national parks with a total area of 5,179 square
kilometer (about 47.78 percent of total national park area of Nepal). Three protected areas are located
in terai, one is located in hill, and two are located in mountain.
Table 3.2: Community Forests in Mid-Western Development Region
Source: Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Forest Use and Threats to Forests
Forests play important role in ensuring food and nutrition security of people in the mid- and far-
western regions. Agriculture remains main source of livelihood and employment for people in these
regions. Forests are main sources of fodder for livestock. Marginal and landless households depend on
forests for raising livestock. Forest also provides bedding materials for livestock which are inputs to
compost making. Compost manure are important source of crop nutrients especially in the hill and
mountain. Forests of these regions are rich in biodiversity, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and
medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Out of 18 biodiversity rich districts of Nepal, three (Achham,
Bajura, and Kalikot) are located in mid- and far-west regions. Income from collection and sale of
MAPs and NTFPs help vulnerable households to cope with food insecurity. Forests in mid- and far-
western terai serve as biological corridor for the movement of wild animals.
Threats to forests include encroachment, excessive grazing, forest fire, landslides, river cutting,
timber, smuggling, etc. Chure forests are fragile and prone to flash floods and landslides. The legal
and illegal settlements of various groups of people such as ex-Kamaiyas, landless households, and
flood and landslide victims have also put pressure on forests especially in terai. Forest areas have been
used for the construction of roads, schools, and buildings for security agencies. Timber smugglings
from forests in Terai, and smuggling of timber and NTFPs from forests in high mountains have posed
threats to forest biodiversity. High dependency on fuelwood as source of energy for cooking and
heating also put pressure on forest especially in high mountains. Farmers in the mid-west and far-west
regions keep a large number of unproductive cattle mainly for manure and draft purposes. There is an
open grazing system. This has put pressure on forest resources leading to deforestation and loss of
valuable biodiversity.
There have also been some positive developments in forest managements. The introduction of
community and leasehold forestry programs has led to noticeable improvements in forest cover. The
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establishment of protected areas and buffer zones has also helped in forest and biodiversity
conservation.
Figure3.5:Protected Areas of Nepal
3.4 Water Resources
Project area is rich in water resources. Out of the four major Himalayan river system of Nepal, two are
located in the project area. Karnaliriver, the longest river of Nepal, flows through mid-western region.
Mahakaliriver flows through far-western development region. Both of these rivers have huge
untapped hydropower potential. Karnali and Mahakali rivers have annual discharge of 44 and 18
billion cubic meters respectively. Karnali river basin has 1,361 glaciers with 1,740 square kilometer
area and 907 glacial lakes with 37.7 square kilometer area. Similarly, Mahakali river basin has 87
glaciers with 143 square kilometer area and 16 glacial lakes with 0.4 square kilometer area.9
Other major rivers include Bheri and Rapti in the MWDR and Seti in the FWDR. Other smaller rivers
in the mid-west include Tila, Babai, Jhimruk, Sarada, LuhamKhola, MarmaKhola, ArjunKhola, Mas
Khola, Man Khola, LohoreKhola, Chamgad, and ParajuliKhola. Similarly, smaller rivers in the far-
west include Chamelia, Budiganga, Darganga, Suniya, Dhikgad, Hoprigad, Rangun, Doteligad,
Rupalgad, Khutiya, Mohana, Sisaiya, and Banara.
9 See CBS (2008).
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These river systems have huge hydropower and irrigation potential. A 12.3 MW hydropower plant has
been generating electricity from the Jhimrukriver in Pyuthan district. A 30 MW
Chameliyahydropower project is under construction in Chamelia river of Darchula district. A number
of micro-hydropower projects have been built in the hill and mountain districts.Tilariver has been
important source of irrigation in Jumla district. Few irrigation canals have been built in mid- and far-
west terai from rivers such as Babai and Mahakali. Karnaliriver attracts tourists for rafting. However,
the potential of these river systems remains still untapped.
The project area has many wetlands. Kailali district has the largest number of wetlands among the 75
districts of Nepal. Out of 10 Ramsar sites of Nepal, three are located in the project area.10 These
Ramsar sites are: SheyPhoksundolake in Dolpa and Rara lake of Mugu districts of the MWDR and
Ghodaghodi lake area in Kailali district of the FWDR (Figure 3.4). Other prominent lakes include
Jhilmila and Betkot Tal in Kanchanpur, Alital in Dadeldhura, Chatiwan Tal in Doti, and Khaptad Tal.
Figure3.6:Ramsar Listed Wetlands of Nepal
3.5 Energy Use
Fuelwood is the main source of fuel for cooking. The dependence on fuelwood is higher in hills and
mountains of those regions.
10
Ramsar sites lists wetlands of international importance. Till now, 1,828 wetlands from 158 countries are
listed as Ramsar sites. See Bhandari, 2009.
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Table3.8: Percent of Households using different sources of fuel for cooking
Regions Wood Cowdung/leaves
/thatch
LPG Kerosene Other Fuels Total
Eastern 61.4 24.2 10.7 0.1 3.6 100
Central 51.5 15.5 29.0 1.0 3.0 100
Western 64.4 10.7 18.5 0.3 6.1 100
Mid-western 89.5 0.9 6.0 0.2 3.4 100
Far-western 91.3 1.0 3.9 0.6 3.2 100
Mid- and
Far-western
Hills and
Mountains
97.2 0.4 2.0 0 5.6 100
Mid- and
Far-western
Terai
86.7 0.8 5.5 0 7.0 100
Nepal 64.4 13.6 17.7 0.5 3.8 100
Source: NLSS (2012).
3.6 Pesticide Use
The level of use of pesticide is low in Nepal, about 142 gm/hectare (though there are some questions
about the reliability of data). The use of pesticide is highest in Terai (12% of land area) followed by
hill (4.9% of land area) and mountains (0.7% of land area). However, overuse and misuse of
pesticides have been reported in some areas and for some crops, mostly off-season commercial
vegetable production areas. In general, the use of pesticides in the mid- and far-western regions is
much lower than the national average. Districts using higher doses of pesticide in these regions
include Dang, Banke, Kailali, and Kanchanpur (G.C., 2012).11
Common pesticides used in these
regions include: Nuvan, Diethane M 45, cypermethrin, endosulfan, chlropyriphos, butachlor, 2,4-D,
malathion, Bordeaux mixture, etc.12
Awareness of the farmers on proper use of chemical pesticides is
low.
3.7 Climate Change
Scientific studies on the impact of climate change in the project area are lacking. However, anecdotal
evidences, based on consultation with the local people, suggest that climate change is beginning to
have impact on in these regions. Local people said that climatic patterns are becoming erratic. Rainfall
does not occur for a long spell of time but when it occurs it would be high intensity leading to
landslides and other problems. Early flowering of some plants such as rhododendron was also
reported. Insect problems are increasing in cold places of mountain districts where there were no such
problems before. Locals also say that some crops like millet, maize, and chilly can be now grown at
higher altitude colder places perhaps due to farming.
3.8 Agro-biodiversity in Project Area
Given the diversity of climatic conditions, the project area is rich in agro-biodiversity. JumliMarshi, a
native variety of rice in Jumla, is the highest altitude rice in the World.13 The presence of wild rice
(Oryzarufipogan) has been identified in Ghodaghodi Lake Complex in Kailali. Indigenous crops such
as buckwheat, chino, millet, and kaguno are grown in the mountain districts of mid- and far-west
11
The Pesticide Registration and Management Section of the Plant Protection Directorate is in the process of
updating pesticide use data in Nepal which it hopes to make available soon. 12
Most of these pesticides fall under non-hazardous to moderately hazardous under WHO classification. 13
See MoFSC (2002).
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development regions. These regions have also superior indigenous livestock breeds which include:
AcchamiNaumuthe, Khaila, and Yak of cattle; Lime, Parkote, Gaddi of buffalo; Khari, Sinhal, and
Chyangra of goats; Bhyanglung, Baruwal, and Lampuchhre of sheep; Bampudke, and Chwanche of
pigs; Sakini, GhantiKhuile, and PuwankhUlte of Poultry; and Jumli Horse. The introduction of
modern improved varieties has posed threat to the existence of these indigenous crop varieties and
livestock breeds.
3.9 Physical Cultural Resources in the Project Area
As stated earlier, the project area houses three Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance) –
two in mid-west mountain districts, and one in far-west terai. The famous Swargadwari temple is
located in Pyuthan district of the mid-western region. A historical fort, Amaragadi, is located in
Dadeldhura district. There are numerous less known cultural sites such as temples, monasteries,
cremation grounds, caves, etc. which are of local significance.
3.10 Existing Environmental Issues and Management Practices
Existing Environmental Issues: Table 3.9 presents existing major environmental issues as identified
by the participants of stakeholder consultations and focus group discussions in six survey districts.
Flooding and river cutting are main environmental problems in Tarai14 districts of mid- and far-
western regions. These regions are getting major floods every few years.15 Floods have washed away
people’s private crop lands and led to the death of livestock such as goats by spreading animal
diseases.16
There are both natural and human-induced causes of flooding. Landslides from hills and
mountains bring debris to the rivers and streams in Terai and raise river beds that lead to flooding.
Construction of dams in India near Nepal’s boarder has also caused flooding in some areas.
The hilly VDCs of Kailali and Kanchanpur also suffer from landslides problems. Chure hills are
geologically fragile and prone to soil erosion and landslides. Rate of deforestation is high especially in
Chure area due to the practice of open grazing, and illegal encroachment. Timber smuggling is high.
The use of agricultural chemicals is increasing rapidly in commercial vegetable production area in
Tarai. The leakage of chemical fertilizers from agricultural land has led to eutrophication of some
important wetlands in Tarai such as Ghodaghodi lake complex of Kailali district.17
Crop intensification, inadequate and unbalanced application of chemical fertilizers, and inadequate
use of compost manures have led to soil degradation problems in Tarai. The practice of application of
compost manure in crop fields is declining due to lack of fodder, and shortage of labor. Consequently,
organic matter content of soil in Tarai is quite low.
Land slide and soil erosion are the major environmental problems in hills and mountains of both mid-
and far-west regions. Fragile geology, steep slopes, farming of the marginal lands, high intensity
rainfall within a short-period of time, and deforestation are the main causes of landslides and soil
erosion in the hills and mountains. Jumla is a bit of an exception. People in Jumla reported that the
landslide was not a major problem in that district as much of the Jumla is a valley and the cultivated
land there is less steep than the lands in other hill and mountain districts of these regions. Most of the
14
Plain Tarai districts are excluded from project. 15
See also Bann, Kandel, and Upadhyaya (2011). 16
Based on focus group discussions at Sonbarsha (Rapti East) of Banke district and Dhangingpur VDC of Kailali
district. 17
See Bann, Kandel, and Upadhyaya (2011).
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paddy fields in the hills and mountain districts are located near the banks of rivers, and river cutting is
a problem in such areas.18
Consultations in Jumla and Rukum districts indicated that forest fire lead to deforestation and loss of
biodiversity. People in some parts of hills and mountain districts deliberately set fire in forests
because they believe that doing so would lead to the growth of green grasses for grazing their animals
in the subsequent periods. People in the hills and mountains also have a system of taking their
livestock to forests for grazing for few summer months during the year. These people construct
temporary sheds for animals and also for their own dwelling in the forest area which leads to
deforestation. The demand for fuelwood is high in the mountain district because fuelwood is the main
source of cooking as well as the heating needed protect people from harsh cold weather, which has
put pressure on forest resources. Improper and over-harvesting of medicinal and aromatic plants such
as Yarshagumba has caused the loss of biodiversity in high mountain areas. In general, the status of
government forests has deteriorated over time but the status of community managed forests and
protected areas have improved.
As discusses earlier, soil degradation problem is pervasive in hills and mountains too. Farming in the
marginal sloppy lands, washing of top soil by rains and soil erosion, landslides due to deforestation
and haphazard road construction, inadequate application of chemical fertilizers and declining use of
compost manures are main reasons for soil degradation.
As discussed in earlier section, the effects of climate change are beginning to show up. Studies have
shown that the rate of increase in temperature is higher in the hills and mountain districts of Nepal
than in terai.19
People also indicated a change in rainfall pattern, a long dry period followed by high
intensity rain, for example.
18
The study team observed, on the way to Martadi from Sanfebagar, a tract of paddy land in Bajura district
deserted through river cutting by Budi Ganga river. 19
See Baidya et al (2007).
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Table3.9: Existing environmental issues in survey districts
District Environmental Issues
Banke (Terai) • Soil degradation
• Flooding.
• Water pollution.
Rukum (Hill) • Landslides.
• Flooding.
• Soil degradation.
• Practice of forest fire.
• Increase in insect problem.
• Mosquito and other insects are moving in higher colder belts.
Jumla (Mountain) • Forest fire.
• High demand of timber for construction has led to deforestation.
• Khoriakheti (shifting cultivation).
• Wide use of plastic.
• Drying of water sources.
• Effects of climate change
- Alternate bearing of apple.
- Maize, millet, and chilly can now be grown in colder places where they
could not be grown before.
Far West
Kailali (Tarai) • Misuse and overuse of pesticides in some commercial vegetable cultivation
pockets..
• Use of carbide in banana and mango is increasing.
• River cutting.
• Flash Floods.
• Deforestation.
- Open grazing.
- Timber smuggling.
- Forest encroachment.
• Indoor air pollution.
• Pollution from pig and poultry farming.
• Effects of climate change.
- Disease patterns are changing and new diseases are emerging in animals.
- Early heating in animals.
Doti (Hill) • Landslides/soil erosion.
• River cutting.
• Soil degradation.
• Deforestation.
• Effects of climate change.
- Does not rain but when it rains it rains heavily.
Bajura (Mountain) • Landslides/soil erosion.
• Drying of water sources.
• Deforestation due to
- Open grazing.
- Goth (shed) construction in forests.
- Conversion of forest land for agriculture.
- Fuelwood collection.
• Effect of climate change.
- Change on production pattern, for example, rice can be grown in colder
places now where it could not be grown 10 years back.
Source: Field Survey, February – March, 2012.
Existing Environmental ManagementPractices: After the passage of environmental acts and
regulations, all development projects in Nepal are required to assess its impact on environment.
Depending on the scope of the project and magnitude of risked posed by it, the project proposer may
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need to prepare an Initial Environment Examination (IEE), or an Environment Impact Assessment
(EIA) before the project could be implemented. The sectoral ministry or the agency designated by the
ministry has the authority to approve or disapprove IEE. The EIA needs to be approved by the
Ministry of Environment. All development projects required to do IEE or EIA do so. However, there
are often complains that IEE and EIA are not done sincerely and the mitigation measures proposed by the project are not fully implemented. Monitoring is weak due to inadequate staff and budgetary
resources in the monitoring agencies. It often takes a long time to complete an EIA process, and get
approval for project implementation.
The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is low in mid- and far-western regions especially in the
hills and mountains. Lack of road infrastructure makes it difficult to transport fertilizers in the
mountain districts of these regions. Mountain districts have been practicing organic farming by
default. Jumla DDC has formally declared Jumla as an organic district. Rukum DDC has a policy to
practice organic farming in its 20 remote VDCs. Many recent development projects in these regions
have encouraged the use of IPM technologies, and in many instances, practice of organic farming
emphasizing on the use of bio-pesticides and farm yard manures. The IPM program in Nepal started
in mid-1990s and has expanded to 63 districts since then. An intensive National IPM program funded
by NORAD is helping to promote IPM technology in 17 districts of Nepal including Banke, Bardia,
Surkeht, Jumla, Kailali, and Dadeldhura of the mid- and far-western regions. Other projects such as
Project on Agriculture Commercialization and Trade (PACT), Integrated Water Resources
Management Project (IWRMP), and Sustainable Soil Management Project (SSMP) are promoting Integrated Plant Nutrient Management System (IPNMS) to address soil fertility problem.
The Government of Nepal (GoN) and donors have also launched projects to combat deforestation and
promote biodiversity conservation. Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) program, implemented by the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF), has been working in those regions for many years. TAL aims to develop
biological corridors linking protected areas of Nepal and adjoining protected areas of India for the
movement of wild animals. The USAID-funded Hario Ban (Green Forest) project was launched last
year which has forest conservation programs in mid- and far-west Tarai. The Western Tarai
Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP), funded by UNDP, is working on biodiversity conservation in
mid- and far-west Tarai. Leasehold Forestry Program is being implemented in hills and mountain
districts of those regions. An UNDP funded Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands of Nepal
(CSUWN) project has been working for the conservation of Ghodaghodilake of Kailali.20
A National Agriculture Genetic Resources Conservation Centre (Gene Bank) was established under
Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) in late 2010 for ex-situ conservation of crops and
animal genetic resources. However, facilities for the conservation of animal genetic resources are yet
to be developed. The long load shedding hours in Nepal has hampered the works of this gene bank. The government has recently allocated budget for the construction of a direct feeder line for electricity
supply to this facility and the regular supply of electricity is expected to start soon.21
Some efforts are being made for the in-situ conservation of indigenous crop varieties by non-
governmental organizations through programs such as community seed bank. It was also learnt that
the Department of Livestock Services (DoLS) is implementing programs for the conservation of
indigenous animal breeds such as lulu and achhami cattle, bampudke pig, line and parkote buffaloes
in some selected districts. NARC and Nepal Agriculture Research and Development Fund
(NARDAF) have supported research projects for the assessment of animal biodiversity.22
20
See Bann, Kandel, and Upadhyaya (2010). 21
Based on consultation with the chief of the gene bank. 22
Based on consultation with the chief of the National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI), Khultar.
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4. Environmental Policies, Laws, and Regulations
4.1 World Bank’s Policy on Environment
The World Bank’s policy is to prevent any adverse impacts on the environment. If adverse impacts
are unavoidable the Bank aims to minimize or mitigate such impacts by adopting appropriate
measures. Policy documents guiding World Bank’s policies on physical environment and human
health that are relevant for NAFSP include: OP 4.01 Environment Assessment; OP 4.36 Forests; OP
4.04 Natural Habitats; OP 4.09 Pest Management; and OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways.
OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment:According to this OP, environmental assessment (EA) should
include evaluation of the impact of the proposed project on the natural environment (air, water, and
land), human health and safety, and transboundary and global environmental aspects. EA also requires
assessment of borrower country’s national policies and legislation related to environment. This OP
requires the environmental screening of all projects to determine the scope of environment assessment
needed. Based on environmental screening, projects are classified into four different categories:
(i) Category A: Projects with significant adverse environmental impacts.
(ii) Category B: Projects with potential adverse environmental impact but less adverse than
those of Category A projects.
(iii) Category C: Projects with minimal or no adverse environmental impacts.
(iv) Category D: Projects that are funded through a financial intermediary.
Category A projects normally requires a full Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). These projects
require an Environment Management Plan (EMP) that covers mitigation measures, monitoring, and
capacity building. Annex C of OP 4.01 provides an outline of an EMP. Some category B projects may
also need an EMP. Category C projects do not require further actions beyond initial screening.
For projects which include different sub-projects/activities whose impacts cannot be determined until
the program or sub-projects details have been identified, an Environmental Management Framework
(EMF) is needed. The EMF contains guidelines and procedures to assess environmental impacts,
measures and plans to reduce, mitigate, and /or offset adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts,
provisions for estimating and budgeting the costs of such measures, and information on agency or
agencies responsible for addressing project impacts.
OP 4.09 Pest Management: This policy favors the use of biological or environmental control methods
for controlling pests. It recommends that the integrated pest management (IPM) be used for
controlling agricultural pests with limited and safe use of pesticides when it is necessary. If a project
leads to significant use of pesticides, a pest management plan is needed.Since some proposed project
activities such as vegetable cultivation may induce use of pesticides, an assessment of the
environmental impact of NAFSP in light of this policy is needed.
OP 4.36 Forests: This policy prohibits the Bank from financing projects that “would involve
significant conversion or degradation of critical forest areas or related critical natural habitats.” If
deforestation of some critical non-forest areas is unavoidable and if there are no other feasible
alternatives, appropriate mitigation measures should be adopted. Since some project activities such as
livestock farming relates to the use of forest, an assessment of the risk of project activities on forest
resources is needed.
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OP 4.04 Natural Habitats: This policy aims to promote rehabilitation of degraded natural habitats, and
prohibits WB’s support to projects that involve the significant conversion or degradation of critical
natural habitats. As per this policy, WB does not support projects “involving the significant
conversion of natural habitats unless there are no feasible alternatives for the project and its sitting,
and comprehensive analysis demonstrates that overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh
the environmental costs.” As discussed earlier, the NAFSP project area houses important national
parks, wildlife reserves, conservation areas, and Ramsar wetlands. Hence, it is necessary to assess if
the proposed project activities violates OP 4.04.
OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways: This policy requires the state proposing the project
(beneficiary state) to inform all riparian states if the proposed project leads to adverse changes in the
quality, or quantity of water flows to the riparian states. Since one of the proposed activities of the
NAFSP is related to irrigation technologies, an assessment is needed if such project activities meet the
requirements of OP 7.50.
4.2 Environment Policies, Laws, and Regulations of Nepal
The Government of Nepal (GoN) began to play active role in environment management when it
nationalized forest in late 1950s. The fifth five year plan implicitly considered environmental issues
by introducing regional concept of development and divided the country in three eco-regions viz.
mountain, hills, and the Tarai. The plan advocated for development programs to exploit comparative
advantages of those regions. However, the government began to play active role in environmental
management only in late 1980s. A national conservation strategy for Nepal was prepared in 1988
which was followed by the Master Plan for the Forestry Sector in 1989 and Nepal Environmental
Policy and Action Plan in 1993. Current policy documents influencing environmental policies of the
GoN include the Interim Constitution of Nepal (2007), periodic development plans, the Agriculture
Perspective Plan (1995-2015), National Agriculture Policy (2004), Forestry Sector Policy (2000) and
the Climate Change Policy (2011).
Interim Constitution of Nepal (2007). The Interim Constitution of Nepal ensures that “every person
has the right to live in a healthy environment.” In its State Policies the constitution expresses that "the
state shall make necessary arrangements to maintain the natural environment. The State shall give
priority to special protection of the environment, and rare wildlife, and prevent further damage due to
physical development activities by increasing awareness of the general public about environmental
cleanliness. Provisions shall be made for the protection of the forest, vegetation and biodiversity, their
sustainable use and equitable distribution of benefits derived from them.23
”
Agriculture Perspective Plan (1995-2015):The APP has emphasized the importance of environment
for sustainable growth of agriculture. The Plan recognizes that programs to accelerate agriculture
growth may have adverse impacts on environment. APP argues that the intensification of farming in
more favorable areas would reduce the need for cultivating marginal lands and reduce environmental
degradation. APP advocates for the plantation of tree and fruit crops on the steep slopes of hills and
mountains for minimizing environmental problems. The Plan also recommends the adoption of
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies to avoid environmental problems associated with
increased use of pesticides.
23
See UNDP (2008).
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National Agricultural Policy (2004): This policy advocates for the development and dissemination
of environment friendly technologies.
Agriculture Biodiversity Policy (2007): This policy aims to protect ecological balance by protecting
and promoting agricultural biodiversity.
The Interim Three Year Plan (2010/11-2012/13): This Plan has devoted a separate chapter for
environment and climate change. The Plan aims to promote the concept of green development by
encouraging human and development activities to be environment friendly. The Plan also aims to
maintain natural beauty of the rural areas. Programs include, among others, adoption of
bioengineering in infrastructure development projects for controlling soil erosion, safe disposal of
harmful pesticides, and streamlining EIA procedures.
Sustainable Development Agenda for Nepal (2003). The GoN prepared a sustainable development
agenda in 2003 as a follow up to its commitments to the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development (1992) and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The
SDAN aims to guide national level development plans and policies up to 2017. The SDAN requires
environmental impact assessment and analyses of alternatives for all projects. It also argues for the
protection of land against degradation, biodiversity conservation, conservation of rangelands, and
promotion of sustainable harvest and management of non-timber forest products.24
National Fertilizer Policy (2058). This policy recommends the adoption of Integrated Plant
Nutrients System (IPNS) to prevent deterioration of soil fertility and minimize adverse impacts on
environment caused by the use of chemical fertilizers. IPNS encourages farmers to make balanced use
of chemical fertilizers based on soil test. It also encourages farmers to use organic manures.
Forestry Sector Policy (2000):The objectives of the forestry sector policy include: contribution to
food production through effective interaction between forestry and farming practices; and protection
of land from degradation by soil erosion, landslides, desertification, and other ecological disturbances.
This policy forbids conversion of forest, shrub, and grasslands into cultivation. The policy aims to
manage and utilize land and forest resources according to their ecological advantage. The policy states
that forests in the mountains would be managed with users’ participation. It introduces the concept of
collaborative forest management in Terai where the government and households living adjacent to
forests will form a partnership in managing forests.
Climate Change Policy (2011): This policy incorporates climate adaptation and disaster risk
reduction measures. The policy advocates for the adoption of low carbon development path by
encouraging use of renewable energy and increasing carbon sequestration through proper
management of forests. Bridges, dams, river flood control, and other infrastructures would be made
resilient to climate change. Drought and flood resistant crop varieties would be developed and
disseminated. A Climate Change Fund would be established and at least 80 percent of this fund would
be allocated to programme implementation at community level.
Acts and Regulations
Environmental Protection Act, 2053 (1997) and Regulations 2054 (1997):These Act and
regulation are the main legislation guiding environmental management in Nepal. The Environment
Protection Act requires projects to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or the Initial
Environment Examination (IEE) depending on the size and scope of projects.
24
See NPC and MoPE (2003).
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Seeds Act, 2045 (1988) and Regulations, 2054 (1997):This Act aims to increase crop production by
making high quality seeds available. This Act has established a National Seed Board. The Act also
made provisions for the established of seed certifying agency and a central seed testing laboratory. As
per this Act, the government can specify minimum germination level and purity of seeds and can prohibit the sale of seeds not meeting such specifications. The Act can also prohibit export and import
of seeds notified by the government. However, Seed Act is hardly implemented in practice.
Plant Protection Act, 2029 (1972) and Regulations, 2031(1974): This Act requires individuals and
organizations importing plant products, biological control agents, beneficial insects, and medium for
growing plants such as soil to obtain permission from the designated authorities. As per the Act, the
government can declare certain area as pest affected areas and adopt necessary measures to destroy
pests in those areas.
Pesticides Act, 2048 (1991) and Regulations, 2050 (1993):This Act requires all importers, exporters,
users, sellers, and producers of pesticides to register such pesticides with the authority designated by
the Government. The government publishes names of such pesticides in the national Gazette. Annex 4
presents list of pesticides registered in Nepal. As per the Pesticides Regulation 1993, the registration
agency needs to evaluate the impacts of such pesticides on human, animal, and environment. The
authority can cancel such registration any time if the general use of those pesticides is found to make
adverse impacts on human, animal, and environment. Annex5 presents a list of banned pesticides in
Nepal.Pesticide retailers and sprayers also need to be registered. National Plant Quarantine Office is
the designated authority.
Animal Health and Animal Services Act, 2055 (1998) and Regulations, 2056 (1999): This Act requires individuals and organizations importing animals and animal products to obtain quarantine
certificates from the designated authorities. The Act also makes provisions for the issuance of
quarantine certificates for the exporters of animal and animal products..
Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055 (1998) and Regulations, 2056 (1999):This Act
aims to protect human health by regulating meat quality through proper management of
slaughterhouse and meat sale.
Animal Feeds Act, 2033 (1976): This Act prohibits production, sale, export, import, and storage of
adulterated animal feeds.
Food Act, 2023 (1966) and Regulations, 2027 (1970): This Act prohibits production, sale,
distribution, export, and import of adulterated and low quality food products. This Act also requires
truthful labeling of food products.
Aquatic Animals Protection Act 1961 and Amended in 1999: This Act prohibits use of harmful
poisons for capturing and killing aquatic animals. It also prohibits any obstructions in the movement
of fish.
Forest Act, 2049 (1993) and Forest Regulations 2051(1995): According to these Act and
Regulations, the GoN can acquire any private land to include in the forest by compensating owners of
such land. The Act bans activities such as cultivation of forest land, grazing, unauthorized harvesting
of forest products, and extraction of soil, sand, stones, etc from forests. However, the government can
give permission to use parts of forests to implement projects of national priority if no alternatives
other than using forest area are available.
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 (fourth amendment in 1993): This Act
authorizes government to declare a part of forest area as a protected area.
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Buffer Zone Management Regulations, 1996and Buffer Zone Management Guidelines, 1999.
These regulations and guidelines determine what kinds of development activities could be undertaken
in buffer zone area. These acts and regulations also guide the use of revenue for protected areas
allocated for the buffer zone.
Soil and Watershed Conservation Act (1982) and Soil and Watershed Management Regulations
(1995): These Act and Regulation authorizes the government to declare certain critical watershed as
protected watersheds.
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5. Institutional Capacity Assessment
The MoAD has a Gender Equity and Environment Division (GEED) which is responsible for
overseeing the agriculture-related environmental activities.The GEED is headed by a Joint Secretary.
The GEED has three units: Agriculture and Biodiversity Unit, Gender Equity Unit, and Gender
Coordination Unit.25
However, the GEED lacks adequate human and budgetary resources to undertake
its responsibilities. There is a 9 member Agriculture and Environment Conservation Committee
(AECC)at the MoAD headed by Joint Secretary of the GEED. This committee provides advice to the
MoAD in all matters related to the environment including IEE and EIA.
There are no environmental divisions at DoA and DoLS. The regional and district level offices of the
DoA and DoLS also do not have any units to deal with environmental issues. The Nepal Agriculture
Research Council (NARC), main organization responsible for agriculture research in Nepal, has an
Environment Section within its Planning and Coordination Division which mainly deals with
agriculture biodiversity issues.
The DoA and DoLS have made some institutional arrangements for the control of plant and animal
diseases, and soil management. Plant Protection Directorate (PDD) of the Department of Agriculture
(DOA) is responsible for implementing national plant protection programs as specified by Pesticide
Act (2048), Pesticide Regulations (2050), and Plant Protection Act (2064). The Directorate also helps
government to formulate plant protection policies. The Directorate has three major activities: control
import and export of disease and pests infected plants and plant products; registration and
management of pesticides; and control of crops disease and pests. The quarantine program of the
Directorate is responsible for ensuring that the traded plants and plant products are free from diseases
and pests. There are two regional plant quarantine offices in mid- and far-west regions – one in
Nepalgunj (Banke) and one in Gaddachowki (Kanchanpur). In addition, there is one plant quarantine
sub-check post in Jhulalghat of Baitadi.Regional Plant Protection Laboratories (RPPL) are responsible
for the control of pests and diseases of crops within the regions. There are two regional RPPLs in the
project area – one in Khajura (Banke) and one in Sundarpur (Kanchanpur). The RPPLs work with
Plant Protection Officers (PPOs) of District Agriculture Development Offices (DADOs). The
Pesticide Registration and Management Section (PRMS) of the PPD are responsible for the
registration and management of pesticides in Nepal. The PRMS issues licenses to importers,
formulators, and retailers of pesticides and also monitors the use of pesticides. Discussion with
concerned stakeholders indicated that this office lacks adequate staff and laboratory facility to execute
its functions effectively. For example, the PRMS has not been able to use its laboratory facility
adequately as it does not have budget to buy a generator for back up power sources for load shedding
hours. Updated data on the quantity of pesticide used in Nepal is not available. The PRMS has the
responsibility to collect such data but it has not been able to do so due to lack of adequate
manpower.26
The DoA has a Soil Management Directorate (SMD) at the central level in Kathmandu and 5 regional
soil testing laboratories for the management of soil. There are two regional soil testing laboratories in
the project area – one at Khajura (Banke) in the mid-western region and one at Sundarpur(Kanchapur)
in the far-western region. However, the soil testing laboratories are not properly equipped.
25
Based on stakeholder consultation with the GEED officials. 26
Consultation with the Chief of PRMS on February 12, 2012.
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The DoLS has central and regional laboratories for the control of animal diseases. There are two
regional animal health laboratories in the project area, one each in mid- and far-west development
regions. There are 2 animal quarantine check posts in mid-west and 4 animal quarantine check posts
in the far-west.27
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) is primarily responsible for
implementing Food Act and ensuring safety of food products.28Moreover, the presence of DFTQC in
the mid- and far-western regions is weak. It has five regional offices two of which are located in the
mid- and far-western regions – one each at Nepalgunj and Mahandranagar. The regional office has a
small lab and about 10 staff, although only 5 to 6 staff are usually working. The Department has one
food inspector, located at the District Administration Office, in each of the 20 Tarai districts of Nepal
including the Taerai districts of mid- and far-western regions. There are no food inspectors in the hills
and mountain districts of these regions. The regional offices have the mandate to look after food
safety of hill and mountain districts but due to inadequate staff and budgetary resources they visit
those districts only once or twice a year. The DFTQC has 4 food quarantine check posts in Nepal only
one of which is located in the mid- and far-western regions (located in Mahendranagar of
Kanchanpur district). The quarantine check posts are equipped with small lab facility.
At district level, most DADOs have one Plant Protection Officer (PPO) who is primarily responsible
for plant protection activities within the district. The PPOs provide backstop services to Agriculture
Service Centres (ASCs) within the district. The DLSOs have technicians trained in veterinary
medicine and animal sciences who are responsible for monitoring the use of animal growth hormones
and veterinary medicines. However, the coverage by DADOSs and DLSOs is highly inadequate. The
District Forest Office (DFO) and the District Soil and Watershed Conservation Office (DSWCO) are
responsible for monitoring forest and soil conditions within the district. In practice, development
projects set up separate institutional arrangements for dealing with environmental and social issues.
Most NGOs do not have separate units in their organization to deal with environmental issues.
However, NGOs have experience in dealing with environmental problems as most donor projects
these days have made environmental management component mandatory. National level NGOs
working in the mid-western and far-western development regions such as CEAPRED, LIBIRD, and
SAPPROS have good experience and expertise in environment management.
6. Potential Impact of Project Activities on Environment
Most projects activities envisioned by NAFSP would have minimal or moderate, but no highly
significant adverse environmental impacts. Main environmental concerns that are likely to occur are
as follows:
Soil degradation
NAFSP project activities such as use of improved crop varieties could aggravate existing soil
degradation problems as improved varieties need more plant nutrients. The project expects to test and
validate 17 improved crop varieties for different agro-ecological regions within the project area. These
27
The animal quarantine check posts in the mid-west are located at Bhansar road (Nepalgunj), and Gulariya
(Bardiya). The check posts in the far-west are located in Khakroula (Kailali), Belauri (Kanchanpur), GaddaChouki
(Kanchanpur), and Darchula. 28
The following is based on stakeholder consultation at DFTQC on January 16, 2012.
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include potato and barley in the Upper Mountain region; maize, barley, wheat, buckwheat, millet,
mustard and rice in the Lower Mountains; maize, soybean, wheat, mustard, black gram, potato and
vegetables in the rain-fed Mid-Hills; and rice, wheat, potato, vegetables and lentil in the irrigated mid-
Hills. The improvement/ maintenance of minor irrigation infrastructure such as small farmer managed
micro-irrigation channel and collection centres could also lead to soil erosion if not done properly.
Project activities such as livestock farming could lead to deforestation which, in turn, may cause soil
erosion and landslides. However, the scale of the physical infrastructure is quite small.
Pressure on forest and forest resources
Breed improvement and promotion of livestock breeds could increase pressure on forest resources and
lead to deforestation if these activities lead to increase in the number of animals and if open grazing is
practiced. The project plans to make available over 6000 improved cross-bred goats and over 4000
improved parental poultry stock in the 19 project districts. Pressure on forest and forest resources may
also be caused by irrigation channel improvement and other infrastructure construction, if these are
located in or close to forest area.
Biodiversity
Promotion of improved varieties of crops may lead to loss of agro-biodiversity if it leads to
monoculture. Breed improvement may cause loss of animal bio-diversity if it leads to extinctions of
local breeds of livestock. Promotion of livestock breeds may cause deforestation which, in turn, may
lead to loss of forest biodiversity.Although activity in core protected area is not eligible for support
under the project, it is possible that some of the project activities are implemented in or close to
protected area buffer zones. Impacts on wild biodiversity from the project activity, particularly from
livestock grazing and fodder, in or near the buffer zone or any forest may not be ruled out.
Pressure on Water Resources
Promotion of improved crop varieties may also increase water requirements by crops which may put
additional pressure on water resources. However, as the project intends to promote the use of drought
tolerant varieties and improve water management efficiency at the farm level the increased pressure
on water resources would be minimum. There are also concerns that project activities related to
irrigation improvement may lead to adverse changes in the quality, or quantity of water flows to the
downstream. However, irrigation related activities envisaged by the NAFSP include micro-irrigation
technologies such as treadle pump, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and rain-water harvesting, and
rehabilitation or maintenance of already existing farmer-managed irrigation channel. Theproject
activities are geared more towards enhancing water use efficiency. These activities will not affect any
aquatic life like migration of fishes. These activities also do not cause any adverse change in the
quality except localized turbidity around the construction sites when construction site is close to a
stream, or quantity of water flows to the downstream.
Pesticide use
NAFSP project does not subsidize purchase of pesticides. Use of chemical pesticides that fall in the
World Health Organization (WHO) classes IA and IB and/or banned in Nepal are not permissible in
the project supported activities. Project encourages and supports participating districts in organic
approach, and in using bio-pesticides as far as possible. Nevertheless, experience from other parts of
Nepal indicates that some activities such as vegetable cultivation, seed production, and promotion of
improved varieties envisioned by the NAFSP may induce some increase in the use of pesticides. Low
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risk chemical pesticide may be used as part of Integrated Pest Management (IMP) when there is no
other option. However, the level of increase in pesticide use and its adverse impact is not expected to
be significant mainly for four reasons: (i) the current use of pesticides in these regions is fairly low;
(ii) IPM programs are already on-going in these regions; (iii) target groups of this project are small
and marginal farmers who practice labor intensive farming; (iv) some hill and mountain districts have
already adopted a policy to practice organic farming. This, however, should not imply that NAFSP
project could ignore pesticide management issues. The project needs to take precautionary measures
by minimize environmental risks from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides: this should form
part of environmental screening and environmental management of each activity under the project.
Mitigation Measures:For each activity, specific mitigation measures will have to be specified during
implementation through the process of environmental screening, assessment and management plan for
that activity. It should be noted that most of risks identified above could be mitigated with a bit of
efforts and caution.
Soil degradation problem could be mitigated by promoting soil fertility improvement techniques
through the use of composting, intercropping with legumes, cover-cropping and balanced use of
inorganic fertilizers. The pressure on local forest could be minimized by increasing the availability of
fodder through fodder plantation in private as well as community lands, and promoting stall feeding.
Soil erosion and landslides related to agricultural and construction activities can be mitigated by the
use of conservation farming practices and bio-engineering. Pressure on water resources could be
minimized by increasing water use efficiency and developing drought resistant varieties which the
NAFSP proposes to do.
The promotion of stall feeding and restriction on open grazing will help to mitigate forest biodiversity
loss. To avoid loss of biodiversity from protected areas, the project should not support activities in
protected areas, and activities that depend on resources from protected areas. In the case of buffer
zone, the project may support activity only if it is included in the buffer zone management plan
approved by the protected area authority. The project should coordinate with the National Agriculture
Genetic Resources Conservation Centre (Gene Bank) for ex-situ conservation of plant and animal
genetic resources of the project area. The project should also coordinate and support on-going
initiatives for in-situ conservation of agriculture genetic resources such as the community seed banks.
The project should support research studies for the identification of indigenous animal breeds and
assessment of population of those breeds in the project area. The project should also work with non-
governmental organizations for in-situ conservation of indigenous animal breeds. Awareness
programs on agricultural bio-diversity policy, value of indigenous animal breeds, and value of
indigenous crops, and native varieties of crops are needed.
The risk associated with increased use of pesticides could be mitigated by promoting IPM and organic
technologies. The problem associated with the induced increase in the use of pesticides could be
minimized by providing training to the users as well as the extension agents on safe, correct and
efficient use of safe (green label) pesticides, and by ensuring that “waiting period” is observed as per
WHO recommendation. Bio-pesticides should be given preference to chemical pesticides when
pesticide needs to be used. IPM technologies will be promoted. Evidences indicate that the use of IPM
technologies could lead to higher yield compared to chemical technologies in smaller farms.29
29
Based on personal conversation with the Chief of Plant Protection Directorate (PDD), Nepal.
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National and local level policies are favorable for the adoption of IPM and organic technologies.
Jumla, mountain district, has declared itself as organic. The chances of using chemical pesticides are
higher in the Tarai belt but the proposed project will not be implemented in the Tarai. NAFSP has
also proposed to promote disease and pests resistant varieties. Thus, the adoption of proper
Environmental Code of Practices (ECoPs) would be adequate to mitigate risks associated with
induced increase in the use of pesticides.
Positive Impact: NAFSP project could also make positive impact on the environment and human.
For example, increase in crop productivity by intensification of farming in more suitable lands would
reduce the need to cultivate marginal lands which would have positive impact on the environment.
The upgrading of livestock breed could reduce the number of unproductive cattle and thus reduce
pressure on forests. The increase in vegetable, meat, and milk production due to project activities
could lead to improved diet of households and improve nutritional status of people.
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7. Environmental Management Framework
The EMF consists of environmental screening guidelines, environmental assessment guidelines,