KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 11
The government has decided to conduct environment protection programme in 35 schools for the running fiscal 2022-23, covering all seven provinces.
Article 30 (1) of the constitution of Nepal enshrines clean environment as a fundamental right and states that every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.
According to the Department of Environment, proposals have been sought from interested community, government and private schools by publishing a 15-day notice. The school-centric environment protection programme will be conducted in all the provinces in a proportional manner based on annual budget and programme.
Schools interested in running the environment protection programme should submit an application, accompanied by a proposal, implementation plan and activities by September 17.
A total of 35 schools will be selected on merit basis in line with the 'School-centric Environment Protection Programme Procedure, 2019'. A seven-member committee led by deputy director general of the department selects the schools and carries out evaluation and monitoring of the programme which will last for one year.
A notice published by the Department on its website said the selected schools would be entitled to a grant of Rs 145,000 each to conduct this programme. As per the department, this programme aims at making 'Nepal Clean Environment' mega campaign launched by the federal government a success.
Preference will be accorded to such schools where the programme was not conducted earlier, it said. The procedure requires the Department to put the schools teaching environment subject in higher priority.
The programme involves greenery promotion and expansion of pollution control activities in the community and schools of all the 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 Department will reach an agreement with the selected schools to conduct the programme.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 12, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
