The government has prepared the first ever policy document that incorporates nature conservation for sustainable development in the country.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) on Thursday unveiled “Nature Conservation National Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development” that envisions a prosperous, inclusive and just Nepal through sustainable use of natural resources.

The 15-year framework (2015-2030), prepared with the technical support from the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN), aims to contribute to achieving sustainable development by integrating nature conservation in all development efforts, said NPC Vice-chairman Yuba Raj Khatiwada.

The framework will be implemented in three phases—short-term (1-3 years), medium term (4-7 years) and long term (8-15 years).

On the way towards achieving the target of graduating from least developed country to a developing country by 2022, the conservationists fear that the development works could take place rampantly, causing an ecological imbalance.

“So in order to achieve the goal as well as keep balance with the nature, it is important to use the natural resources wisely and in a sustainable manner,” Khatiwada said.

The framework incorporates nature conservation in various sectoral and cross-sectoral annual and periodic development plans and programmes of the government to ensure a balance between economic development and nature conservation.  

 The realisation of the need to harmonise nature with development works and achieve economic growth led to the formation of the strategic framework, experts said.