Green road approach in rural road construction for the sustainable development of Nepal

Abstract

Transport infrastructure provides a basis for economic activities in the rural areas in the long term. But the environment consequences can not be neglected only foreseeing long term economic benefit. Difficult topography and unstable geology make the road construction difficult in the rural hills of Nepal. Beside, the predominantly absolute poverty in the region realizes the essence of the appropriate approach in the rural road construction. With its approach of constructing rural roads considering environment and rural poverty alleviation measures, Green road approach is proving to be a sustainable way of constructing rural roads. Environment friendly construction techniques, participatory and decentralization approach, optimum utilization of local resources, simple technology, local capacity building and self help efforts justified Green road approach as a best way of constructing rural roads in hill districts of Nepal. The study analyze the different aspects of green roads in Nepal on the basis of the basic themes define in the dictionary of the sustainable development.