KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 28

The Department of Environment has selected 35 schools to conduct environment protection programme for the running fiscal 2022-23.

Among them, seven schools are from Province 1, four from Madhes Province, seven from Bagmati Province, four from Gandaki Province, six from Lumbini Province, three from Karnali Province and four from Sudurpaschim Province. Both community and institutional schools have been selected.

According to a notice published by the Department, schools with basic or secondary level education have been entitled to grant for conducting this programme. It had recently invited applications, accompanied by proposal, implementation plan, activities and cost estimate, from the interested schools. The Department said the schools were selected on merit basis in line with the 'School-centric Environment Protection Programme Procedure'.

A seven-member committee led by the deputy director general of the Department selected the schools and carried out evaluation and monitoring of the school-centric environment protection programme which lasts for one year.

As per the Department, the programme aims to make 'Nepal Clean Environment' mega campaign launched by the federal government a success.

It involves expansion of greenery promotion and pollution control activities in the community and schools of all provinces in a bid to develop the culture of sanitation.

It also envisages activating persons, families and communities for environment protection by creating awareness from the school level. The procedure requires the Department to accord high priority to the schools incorporating environment subject in their curriculum for conducting the programme.

Meanwhile, the Department has reached agreement with the selected schools for conducting the programme.

The schools concerned are required to submit bills to the Department for reimbursement of budget not exceeding Rs 80,000 after completion of the programme.

While implementing the programme, the selected schools will have to spend the grant amount in seven activities. They include plantation, waste management, pollution control measures, environment promotion, rainwater harvesting and renewable energy, displacement of plastic bags and awareness activities.

Article 30 (1) of the constitution enshrines 'clean environment' as a fundamental right, and states that every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 29, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.