The public debate program on environmental rights protection, organized by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) Madhesh Province, with financial support from DC and in coordination with Kayapalat, was completed in Janakpurdham on November 15, 2025.
In the program, Deputy Mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Kishori Sah, pointed out that activities causing environmental pollution are often carried out by people themselves, and therefore awareness-based programs on environmental protection are a pressing need today. She stated that afforestation is necessary to reduce air pollution, and pollution management is essential for a clean and beautiful Janakpurdham, for which the municipality is working with seriousness. She expressed her commitment to engage in dialogue and discussion with environmental experts regarding the issues raised in the program and to take them to the municipal council meeting as proposals for necessary action.
Buddha Narayan Sahani, Head of the Madhesh Province Office of the National Human Rights Commission, emphasized that since the government itself has not been able to ensure environmental rights, it must protect citizens’ environmental rights with the support of non-governmental organizations and environmental experts. Stating that environmental rights are human rights of citizens, he added that the government and concerned authorities must be responsible for this common issue.
INSEC Madhesh Province Coordinator Raju Paswan highlighted the objectives of the program, stating that since the constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, the government must ensure this right. He mentioned that environmental rights are being directly affected in Madhesh Province due to the exploitation of the Chure region, and it is now time for the government to think seriously about this. He stressed the need to ensure citizens’ environmental rights, even if it requires formulating separate acts and laws.
Environmental expert Ajit Srivastava stated that environmental pollution is increasing in Janakpurdham and emphasized that afforestation and sanitation should be kept as priorities by the city. He mentioned that Janakpurdham could become a better and more beautiful municipality if waste management efforts are made effective through study and research. He added that without enforcing fines, waste management in Janakpurdham will not be possible.
Ram Yugal Sah, Chief of the Environment and Climate Adaptation Division at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, stated that the ministry is advancing study and research activities in the environmental sector. He expressed his commitment to contribute to the field of environment by coordinating with human rights activists active in the area of rights for as long as he serves in the ministry.
He further stated that the ministry has been carrying out correspondence to ensure the proper management of waste and pollutants emitted from hotels, hospitals, and industrial establishments.
Deepika Karn, Women Officer at the Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare, stated that since women are more closely engaged in tasks related to natural resources, such as fetching water, firewood, and grass, they are directly affected by environmental impacts. She mentioned that government policies and programs related to the environment should also be women-friendly, and that the ministry is working toward that goal.
Dipu Thakur, Founder of Earth Clean Green, expressed concern that although the Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City has already passed the sanitation and waste management act and procedures, they have not been implemented. He emphasized that since the municipality has been transporting waste from one place and dumping it in another, it is necessary to manage proper waste processing and designated dumping sites.
Project Coordinator of Dalit Women Association Dhanusha, Sijendra Sada; Chairperson of People Promote Center, Kamlesh Kumar Mandal; Jawas Nepal representative Mandakumari Karn; Chairperson of Green Space Nepal, Dharij Sah; Ward Member of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City–8, Muni Das; and Ward Member of Ward 10, Nitu Malik, among others, provided suggestions that the provincial and local governments should take waste management, noise pollution, air pollution, and Chure conservation seriously.
The program was facilitated by the Founder and Chairperson of Kayapalat, Diwakar Upreti.
