JSP MP Mahato urges Forest Ministry to clear ‘development obstacle’ misconception
He noted that hydropower investment has been increasing in recent years to drive national prosperity, and emphasized that the Forest Ministry should play a facilitating role in this process.
KATHMANDU: Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) lawmaker Birendra Kumar Mahato has said that many people perceive the Ministry of Forests as a major obstacle to development projects in Nepal.
Speaking at the Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources Committee meeting on Sunday, which discussed issues related to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) updates for hydropower projects, Mahato stressed the need to clear this misconception.
He noted that hydropower investment has been increasing in recent years to drive national prosperity, and emphasized that the Forest Ministry should play a facilitating role in this process.
Mahato pointed out that several hydropower projects—already licensed and under progress—have stalled.
He accused NGOs and INGOs of filing lawsuits against projects even when the ministry attempts to ease the process, leading the ministry to halt works altogether.
