Kathmandu, July 19

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has delegated its power to approve the terms of reference and report of Initial Environmental Examination regarding the collection and extraction of river products to district coordination committees until mid-January.

According to Environment and Disaster Management Section of the MoFAGA, a decision to this effect was taken today. It has also directed the DCCs to act as per the powers delegated pursuant to the Environment Protection Act and rules.

With this, the power to approve the terms of reference and report of IEE regarding the collection and extraction of river products shall rest with the DCCs till mid-January.

The concerned local levels shall be the proponent of IEE for the functions related to collection and extraction of river products for development activities.

The IEE to be carried out by the local levels under the existing laws will be approved by the DCCs on the recommendation of a district-level IEE Review Committee led by the chief of the District Coordination Committee offices. The seven-member committee will discuss the IEE reports before recommending them to the DCCs for approval or disapproval.

According to the MoFAGA, the IEE report should include the details with site map, quantity, duration, equipment and method for collection or extraction of river products.