Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has unveiled plans to amend laws in line with a recent Supreme Court decision concerning infrastructure development in national parks, reserves and protected areas.
The decision was taken during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday. In the meeting, officials of relevant ministries decided to update outdated legislation to balance environmental conservation with development needs.
In January, the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench struck down newly added provisions to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, which had permitted infrastructure projects within protected areas. The provisions were introduced ahead of the 2024 Nepal Investment Summit to attract foreign investments in infrastructure projects. The apex court ruling halted the construction of hydropower projects, hotels, resorts, and other developments in national parks and conservation zones.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya; Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka; Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi; Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal; and secretaries from relevant ministries.
Speaking at the meeting, Energy Minister Deepak Khadka said the Supreme Court’s decision could derail the government’s energy development goals. “The decision may hinder the construction of transmission lines needed to evacuate power from ongoing projects,” he said, stressing the need to amend laws to align with national priorities.
Law Minister Chaurasiya added that the ruling could lead to significant financial losses for investors. He suggested engaging in discussions with Supreme Court justices to address the issue. “Energy, tourism and irrigation are vital for Nepal’s economic growth. We must amend laws that obstruct these sectors,” Chaurasiya said.
Likewise, Forest Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi acknowledged that the apex court’s decision has created challenges for the forest sector but assured that his ministry is actively working to resolve these issues.
Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal highlighted the potential impact of the ruling on the government’s ambitious energy targets, which include producing 28,500 MW of electricity within a decade and exporting 15,000 MW to neighboring countries. He also added that several approved projects have been stalled due to the court’s decision.
The meeting decided to amend key laws, including the National Parks Act, Forest Act, and Environment Protection Act, which are currently hindering development projects. The Forest Ministry has been tasked with finalizing these amendments within 10 days and presenting them to the cabinet for approval.
