Third Environmental Human Rights Defenders Conference concludes

Bhaktapur, Mangsir 26. The "Third Environmental Human Rights Defenders Conference" jointly organized by Changunarayan Municipality and the National Human Rights Commission has concluded with the issuance of a 13-point declaration.

The conference, organized on the occasion of the 77th International Human Rights Day and the 17th National Human Rights Festival, was conducted in collaboration with the National People's Advocacy Forum Nepal and Clean Air Network Changunarayan.

The conference was inaugurated by the Chairman of the Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum and the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chiri Babu Maharjan. Maharjan clarified that Lalitpur has taken important steps for the promotion of greenery, environmental protection and clean air, and said that it has been successful because the metropolis is moving forward strictly in implementing the rules.

Mayor Maharjan informed that 75 percent of the work has been completed in the phase of building parks on public, open and vacant lands in Lalitpur Municipality for environmental cleanliness.

In the inaugural session, Changunarayan Municipality Mayor Jeevan Khatri presided over the inaugural session and said that the role of the local level in protecting environmental rights is becoming stronger.

Changunarayan Municipality is the first municipality among 753 local levels to prepare an air quality action plan. Umair Khatri said that the number of brick kilns in the city is decreasing, the rest have started adopting environmentally friendly technologies and many air pollution reduction works are being done effectively.

Chairperson of Clean Air Network Changunarayan Ravita Karki drew attention to the pollution in the city from sources such as pesticide use, brick kilns and others. The program was conducted by Changunarayan Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Branch Chief Surendra Lamichhane, and NAFAAN advisor Bhola Bhattarai gave a detailed presentation on the main agenda of the conference.

In various sessions, environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar facilitated group presentations on air pollution and its effects, while Kiran Baram facilitated group presentations on environmental protectors and their role.

.The participating experts shared their views on the role of local government and community, protection of environmental rights, challenges of air pollution and climate crisis.

Human rights activist Charan Prasai said that the problem has increased when the influence of individuals prevails over rules and laws. He assessed that the governance system has been weakened due to lack of transparency and interference in the public decision-making process.

The program concluded with a decision to organize the upcoming fourth conference in Lalitpur metropolis, further organizing local leadership on environmental rights issues. Representatives of the Kathmandu Valley municipalities participated in the conference.