Subba urges Energy-Forest Ministry coordination for hydropower growth

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML lawmaker Saraswati Subba has raised concerns over the lack of coordination between the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and the Ministry of Forests and Environment in the construction of hydropower projects.

Speaking at the Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources Committee meeting on Sunday, Subba highlighted issues arising during the revision of Environmental Management Plans (EMP) for hydropower projects based on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.

She sarcastically noted that it seems the Energy and Forest ministries rarely meet, recalling that similar coordination problems previously existed between the Ministry of Forests and Land Reform. “Why is it that even within Singha Durbar, these meetings don’t happen?” she questioned, adding that if a bridge is needed to facilitate inter-ministerial coordination, they are ready to support it.

Subba emphasized that once a project is approved by the ministry, it should not be delayed.

She urged the two ministries to jointly monitor project areas to determine where tree felling is allowed, where it is not, and where tunneling can be carried out, allowing smooth project construction.

She stressed that the Forest Ministry should be informed whenever the Energy Ministry issues a license for a project.

Highlighting the government’s target of generating 15,000 MW of electricity by 2030, Subba said hydropower projects must be facilitated rather than obstructed to achieve this goal. “Obstacles and delays will prevent us from meeting our national power targets,” she warned.