Abstract
Over 50% of Nepal’s economy depends on natural resources. Environment and poverty issues are linked closely. Therefore, Nepal needs to follow sustainable development path that takes an account of poor as well as contributes to sustainable development of environment. Many poor women and children suffer from respiratory problems related to indoor air pollution and suffer lack of economic opportunities due to lack of energy access. Sustainable energy management could be a viable strategy to address twin objectives of poverty alleviation and environment management. Effective management of national energy sector and energy development and expansion in rural areas will contribute directly in the improvement of the overall rural population’s living standard through maintaining ecological balance, save time in collection of fuel wood, generate additional employment opportunities, improve health and increase access to education to rural children. Sustainable development depends in large measure on successfully integrating environment and energy into economic planning and decision-making, a process known as environmental mainstreaming. Successful mainstreaming can be achieved only when the pro-poor environmental linked alternative energy program and activities are adequately incorporated in socio-economic development plan and programs of local bodies. While reviewing 15 District and five Municipal Annual Development Plans, it was revealed that 95%local bodies have considered environment as a major program in their annual development plan. Only 50% local bodies have included alternative energy management program in this annual development plans. Moreover, less than 1% program as well as budgets of the studied District Development Committee and Municipalities were directed towards addressing the energy demands of local communities. To better address the environment in general and energy in particular issues it is imperative further enhance the capacity of local bodies.
Highlights
Over 50% of Nepal’s economy depends on natural resources
Sustainable development depends in large measure on successfully integrating environment and energy into economic planning and decision-making, a process known as environmental mainstreaming
Successful mainstreaming can be achieved only when the pro-poor environmental linked alternative energy program and activities are adequately incorporated in socio-economic development plan and programs of local bodies
Summary
Over 50% of Nepal’s economy depends on natural resources. Ever increasing population growth and income poverty, the very resources are being depleted day by day. In addition to the lack of alternative means of energy, lack of local knowledge on energy saving devices and scarcity of fuel wood in trans-Himalayan region are the major issues of concern In this context, Nepal needs sustainable energy program that should aim to reduce stress on critical resources primarily forests through wider use of electricity and other alternative energy programs. Rural children are deprived of opportunity of education, as they have to spend most of time in collecting such energy source In this context, there is ample possibility of improving the living standards of rural population by developing environment- friendly energy resources in rural areas by making. Effective management of national energy sector and energy development and expansion in rural areas will contribute directly in the improvement of the overall rural population’s living standard through maintaining ecological balance, save time in collection of fuel wood, generate additional employment opportunities, improve health and increase access to education to rural children. Successful mainstreaming can be achieved only when the pro-poor environmental linked alternative energy program and activities are adequately incorporated in socioeconomic development plan and programs of local bodies
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