Kathmandu, August 4:

With the objective of controlling pollution caused by unplanned settlement, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in urban areas, the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) has finalised a draft of Urban Environment Management Directive-2008.

The draft aims to ensure environment-friendly urban life and minimise health hazards.

The directive incorporates almost all factors directly or indirectly responsible for the deterioration of urban environment.

It includes management of household waster through sanitary landfill sites and provision of incinerator — waste treatment technology involving combustion of organic materials — to manage hospital waste. The directive has a separate chapter to manage air and noise pollution caused by vehicles.

It has also included some provisions on conserving traditional water sources and promoting rainwater harvesting and household treatment of water to make it potable. The directive has also incorporated measures to prevent water pollution in lakes through technologies like oxidation ditch and activated sludge.

It has also directed all concerned to leave at least four per cent of the total construction area to maintain greenery and ensure open space. The directive has the provision of municipal profile to be maintained by municipalities with a long-term vision on environmental and conservation issues.

At a programme organised today by the DUDBC and UN-HABITAT to discuss on the provisions of the newly drafted directive, Umakanta Jha, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, said the directive had tried to cover all areas related to urban environment and its management.

“The directive is an integrated approach to ensure quality urban life,” he said. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, director-general of the DUDBC, said the directive would deal with the conservation

and promotion of both natural and man-made urban heritage.