The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) have urged the Government of Nepal to remove certain provisions recently added to the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act, 2029 BS. Specifically, the organizations have raised concerns about Sections 5a and 6 (1a) of the Act, which they claim could undermine Nepal’s achievements in conservation.
In a statement released today, the WCEL expressed concern that the new provisions could damage Nepal’s global reputation in conservation and send a negative message to the international community. Dr. Ravi Sharma Aryal, Chair of the Commission and a former judge, highlighted that designating specific areas within national parks and conservation areas as “highly sensitive” contradicts international conservation norms and standards.
Section 5a, as added to the Act, grants the government the authority to declare any part of a national park, reserve, or conservation area as a highly sensitive zone if deemed necessary. Section 6 (1a) further allows for human intervention under the pretext of resource utilization, enabling investments that could lead to the exploitation of existing resources in protected areas.
The statement emphasized that these provisions risk weakening Nepal’s legal framework for forest and environmental protection. “We strongly request the amendment and removal of Sections 5a and 6 (1a) as they seem to undermine the legal protections for forests, the environment, and protected areas,” the WCEL stated.
The call from IUCN and WCEL is a significant moment for Nepal, as the country is recognized globally for its efforts in conservation and environmental protection. Any perceived weakening of these laws could have far-reaching implications for both conservation efforts and Nepal’s standing in the global conservation community.
