Melamchi Project ignores environment protection: NEFEJ

Kathmandu - Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has showed concern over Melamchi Drinking Water Project's ignorance towards environment protection. The study on implementation of environment management plan of the project showed it, NEFEJ argued. The study was conducted for the update of the implantation of environment management plan set as part of environment impact assessment (EIA) of the project.

No measures were taken to reduce the negative impacts on environment, it added. The term of environment officer was reduced, and even the quota for the post was removed, the study mentioned, adding that the programmes run with the assistance of the mega project ensured socio-economic improvement in the local people but increased their dependency.