KATHMANDU — Nepal has long faced the challenge of balancing the development of infrastructure such as roads, railways and hydropower stations with the conservation of its rich biodiversity, forests and rivers.

Better connectivity for the people living in the rugged mountainous terrain offers the hope of improved living standards, and opportunities for tourism-related entrepreneurship. But it comes at the cost of habitat fragmentation for crucial wildlife, pollution of water resources, and increased health hazards due to air pollution.

Despite significant progress in conservation through protected areas, community forestry and strict implementation of natural resources laws, addressing the often competing needs of development and conservation remains a persistent challenge.

After years of conflict and political instability, and a prolonged constitution-making process, the country’s political leadership now needs to address the people’s aspirations for development.

Nepalis often observe the rapid development of highways, railways, and large-scale bridges in neighboring India to their south and China to their north, and want to see the same in their own country. That’s why they’ve been quick to vocally support government plans related to infrastructure without fully assessing their impact on the environment.

This issue remained pertinent even in 2024, with new infrastructure projects being rolled out, particularly in the southern Terai lowland region. The government plans to expand existing highways and build railways to boost connectivity and stimulate economic growth. But the environmental cost of such projects pose significant challenges, as Mongabay reported throughout the year. Here’s a summary of the developments we covered:

In Nepal’s Chitwan, tourist pools spell possible trouble for environment & wildlife

In January, we reported on the unrestricted proliferation of swimming pools aimed at local tourists on the fringes of Chitwan National Park, a critical habitat for the endangered Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) and the vulnerable greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis).

Hoteliers in the town of Sauraha told Mongabay that Nepali tourists increasingly want to stay in hotels and resorts with swimming pools. This has led to investors and developers spending money on building swimming pools. However, the unregulated proliferation of pools raises ecological concerns for Chitwan National Park and its diverse wildlife.

Experts say that the chlorine used in the pools, along with disinfectants and heavy metal contamination are major concerns.

Controversy brews over proposed dam on Kathmandu’s Bagmati River

In February, we reported on government plans to build a dam on the headwaters of the main river flowing through the country’s capital, Kathmandu, The Nagmati Dam on Kathmandu’s Bagmati River aims to collect rainwater during the wet season and release it in the dry season to rejuvenate the river, but critics question its viability and safety. They say they’re concerned about the potential destruction of trees, pollution and the risk of dam failure in the earthquake-prone country. The government still hasn’t provided answers to political, ecological and community-related questions and concerns related to the dam.

In Nepal, environmental advocates fend off ‘anti-development’ smear

In March, we reported on how Nepali conservationists advocating for nature and sustainable development are being labeled “anti-development.” After years of armed conflict, Nepal’s political landscape has shifted its focus to large-scale infrastructure development. With numerous large infrastructure projects such as highways, tunnels, cable cars, railway lines, river diversions, dams, airports and transmission lines underway or planned across the country, environmental safeguards are essential, conservation activists say.

This has prompted environmentalists in Nepal to adopt a defensive stance when voicing environmental concerns. They need to constantly clarify that their advocacy for the environment doesn’t equate to being against development.

Nepal’s railway rerouting plan to avoid Chitwan park sparks fiery backlash

In July, we reported on how government plans to reroute the East-West Railway to avoid Chitwan National Park sparked outrage among the people of Bharatpur, on the fringes of the park.

On July 14, residents set fire to the vehicle of a survey team, mistaking them for officials planning the controversial railway project reroute. Residents say the project will displace them and take away their hard-earned property. They’re demanding the railway be rerouted farther north to avoid their homes. But doing so may not be technically or financially possible.

Budget constraints limit wildlife protection in major Nepali road project

In August, we reported on how work to expand a section of the 115-kilometer (71-mile) East-West Highway from two to four lanes is being carried out without adequate crossings for wild animals, including the iconic tiger.

The highway passes through 11 forest patches near Chitwan National Park, but budget constraints prevented the construction of wildlife overpasses in critical areas.

Conservationists warned that without proper safeguards, the expanded highway could lead to increased wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation.

Supreme Court decision on saving Kathmandu rivers stirs up heated reactions

In September, Nepal’s Supreme Court extended no-construction zones along major rivers in the Kathmandu Valley, reigniting the development-vs.-conservation debate in the capital city. While environmental activists praised the decision for addressing severe river pollution and encroachment, the federal government has requested a review due to local opposition.

The ruling introduces an additional 20-meter (66-foot) buffer zone, which would impact thousands of households, raising concerns about property rights and potential displacement. Critics argue the ruling will cause economic hardship and require substantial compensation, prompting the government and local authorities to seek revisions.

Nepal’s top engineering, forestry colleges to align on development and conservation

Amid the challenges of balancing people’s needs for development with the conservation and protection of the environment, Nepal’s leading civil engineering and forestry institutions collaborated for the first time to develop new courses for their students to bridge the gap between infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation.

Officials from the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, most of whom are graduates of the two institutions, often clash over development priorities, leading to back-and-forth accusations of “anti-development” and “anti-nature.”

As part of the collaboration, educators and researchers from both institutions engaged in dialogues, workshops and consultations to draft curricula addressing linear infrastructure safeguards. Some of the courses, which involve both theory and practice, have already been rolled out.

Banner Image: Busy traffic seen on a road passing through a forested area in Nepal. Image courtesy Krishna Dev Hengaju/IUCN

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