National and International Legislation & Agreements on Nature Conservation with Implications for Linear Infrastructure Projects
Committed to sustainable development and the protection of the environment and biodiversity, Nepal is a party to more than 165 international agreements and signatory to more than 27. Its 15th 5-Year Periodic Plan (2020-2025) is anchored on many of these multilateral agreements as well as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Meanwhile, Nepal has issued the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973, which created six categories of protected areas and prohibited works inside National Parks and Reserves. It also protects wildlife including 26 mammals, 9 birds, and 3 reptiles. Moreover, Nepal has issued the Working Policy for Constructing Physical Infrastructure inside Protected areas in 2009 and the Wildlife-friendly Infrastructure Construction Guidelines in 2022. This issuance clearly defined standards for wildlife-friendly Infrastructure such as underpasses and overpasses.