Kathmandu, April 20:

It is high time Nepal correlate between development activities and environmental concerns, according to the chief scientist of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Jeffery A McNeely.

“It is going to cost this developing country a lot if the decision makers fail to take a wise and long-term decision on environment and sustainable development now,” McNeely told a programme on peace, security and environment today. McNeely is here to deliver keynote speech in a regional meet next week.

According to him, mismanagement of environmental issues will lead the country to conflict and the process of nation-building will again be delayed.

Nepal should continue its initiatives on environment, he said.