Activities of SOPEJ-Nepal:

i Past Activities Since 1995 to 2001

No sooner Ministry of Population and Environment (MOPE) was constituted in 1995, very soon SOPEJ Nepal was formed in the same year, SOPEJ Nepal has been playing as supporting role to MOPE since its establishment. SOPEJ Nepal organized a one day comprehensive seminar on Environmental Law and it's Challenges for seeking to influence legislation to the HMG to revise existing environment related law and act; like EIA guideline 1993, environment protection act 1995, forest act 1993. SOPEJ Nepal suggested to concern government agencies in effective implementation of  projects and programs under the mandate of Agenda 21, also it suggested to policy makers to amend the irrigation policy 1993 environmental policy 1993, tourism policy 1995 by integrating environmental aspects in the design and implementation projects/programs. Again SOPEJ Nepal organized one day comprehensive symposium on "Environment problem and our responsibility" mainly comprising in to three issues i) environmental law ii) Forest and herbs iii) Health and sanitation. Like wise SOPEJ Nepal organized various workshop/seminar on population/environment and on its tie up subject matters health, energy, education, tourism, agriculture such as ; The Role of Environment in Tourism Promotion, Growth of Population and it's Impact on the Nation, Energy Development and its Correlation with Environment in Nepal, Polluted Bagmati and the Image of the Pashupatinath, Population and Health, Health Status and Challenges in Nepal, Concept of Environment Friendly Development in the New Millennium, Conservation of Protected Areas and its Co-relation with Tourism, Pokhara as a Destination Tourism and it's Challenges, Role of Environment Education in the Context of Nepal etc.

SOPEJ Nepal conducted a study on, Assessment of Practice, Knowledge and Attitude Towards HIV/AIDS and STDs Among Student in Badi Community in Kailali, Dang and Surkhet district of Nepal, Bhutanese Refugee Camp in Eastern part of Nepal's Morang and Jhapa, Scope and Promotion of Tourism Product in Pokhara, Agriculture Productivity through Organic Fertilizer Varsus Chemical Fertilizer, Scope of Tourism Product in Pokhara, Socio-economic status of urban people and attitude toward use of apartment in the Kathmandu valley was conducted, Opinion survey with regards to  achievement of Agenda 21 and role of Nepal in Rio +10.

A study on Socio-cultural, Environmental and Tourism Scenario of Lumbini and Impact of Siddhartha Nagar, India for its promotion was conducted. The conclusion & recommendation was submitted to the Ministry of Cultural, Tourism and Civil Aviation" for right measures taken on conservation and promotional activities.

Tourism trade is a backbone of socio-economic development of the nation and safer air service is the one of the major factor for tourism development. Ninety percent tourists come to Nepal via air service as well as it has very important role inside the country. Safer air service is not only important to the point of view of economic development also sensitive issue from the view point of safer life of human being. But now due to the bird haggard problem arises in and around Tribhuvan International airport (TIA) and has became serious problem caused by human activities like; polluted Bagmati river and river belt, Gokarna dumping site, open slutter house lack of awareness among the community surrounding TIA, birds activities are increasing day by day. In the beginning of the 2001, some aeroplanes and twin otters are adverse affected due to bird hit and those planes are grounded under installation. Although some accident case made by bird hazard but luckily major accident has not happened so far. Now time has come to think towards such national problem. In this connection, SOPEJ Nepal carried out a field survey and identified the cause of bird activities and way of solution to be made. In this way a action oriented project on Safer Air-Service; Bird Hazard Environmental Improvement and Civil Society is framed over. Final report of the survey is already submitted to the lined ministries and other concern sectors. SOPEJ Nepal is seeking for financial support (funding) to accomplish said noble project for the shake of safer human life, tourism development and environment conservation. In this connection SOPEJ Nepal has been coordinating with line agencies (GOs/NGOs/INGOs & private sectors) on the issues.

The concept of Agricultural Productivity through Organic Agriculture System has been stressed on and said concept paper is submitted to the line ministries and other concern agencies (GOs/NGOs/INGOs, Private sectors) and national cooperative organization for helpful hands to take necessary measures on the issue. Publication work has been continuing as per previous issues and circulated in almost DDCs and VDCs as well as concern line ministries and other line agencies.

Moreover SOPEJ Nepal has been submitted a concept paper to the HMG and embassies and other concern line agencies on use of alternative energy, import of organic fertilizer (i.e. unless we can not produce it in Nepal in large quantity), discourage on expert of herbs from Nepal and to create sufficient market in the country. This year SOPEJ Nepal also has suggested to the concern ministries to implement strictly on environment standards enforcement and monitoring on pollution control as well as to review on existing plans, policies, action plans and legislative framework.

A orientation/training/awareness campaign program on population management & environmental sanitation was conducted separately in the Chanai VDC of Kapilvastu district with co ordination of Ministry of Population and Environment (MOPE). Final report is already submitted to the line ministries and other concern line agencies.

Besides Workshop/Seminar/Research/ Study SOPEJ Nepal has launched various awareness campaigns in every year since its establishment on the occasion of "World Environment Day", "Population Day, " " World Health Day", World Water Day," "World Energy Day", "Tourism Day," "Education Day", by using different means like, talk and quiz programs with award, cleaning movement, posturing, Pam plating etc.

SOPEJ Nepal has been continuing its publication work since 1995. Population/Environment/Tourism journals are published monthly and bi-monthly. To review the yearly events and burning issues on said sectors, special edition and souvenirs are published once in a year. Besides these posters pamphlets, wallpapers are published time to time.

ii. Current Activities of 2002

  1. Discemination of study report of Opinion survey with regards to  achievement of Agenda 21 and role of Nepal in Rio +10.

  2. Interaction regarding WSSD/Rio+10.

  3. Population Journal Monthly.

  4. Environmental Journal Bi-Monthly.

  5. Special edition: Destination Nepal Campign (DNC) 2002. (Environmental Tourism Special)

  6. National Workshop on Sustainable Agriculture Development; Scenario & Scope in the context of Nepal.

  7. comprehensive seminar on "Effectiveness of environment education and role of school management" and herewith tied up exhibition program.

  8. Community based project on Environmental Friendly Organic Vegetable and other Cash crop Production through; Integrated Nutrients & Pest Management in Dhusha VDC of Dhading and Jagatpur VDC of Chitwan district.

  9. A action oriented community based awareness program on Safer Air service; bird hazard, environmental improvement and civil society has been framed over. Said project is going to be conduct among the community surrounding Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and aims to expand in almost major regional airports of Nepal. SOPEJ Nepal has been coordinating with embassies/GOs/NGOs/INGOs, private sectors and other line agencies for kind cooperation to accomplish this project successful for the sake of safer human life, environment conservation and tourism development.

  10. In near future, the society is hopeful to display its population and environment related programs in Nepal Television & Radio Nepal

iii. Future program/Projects of SOPEJ Nepal

  1. Environment-Agriculture Journal Monthly

  2. The society will perceive an opinion from beneficial groups where NGOs are working in the field of population and environmental in any kind of key component. Such opinion survey will be done on regional base receptivity & hopeful to carry out vision for GOs/NGOs/INGOs to make programs / projects in the days a head.

  3. The society is going to be publish or manual in database information including; working area, activities, priorities, work performance repot, contact number, address and further interest of NGOs/INGOs those are working in the field of population and in the environmental sector as well inside the country. Population manual and environment manual is prepared separately.

  4. A community base awareness/training/orientation program on population management ( family planning, HIV/AIDS & STDs, Sex education and safe motherhood).

Note : SOPEJ Nepal is seeking for funding to accomplish future program/project broadly and successfully. So we would like to request all the donors for helpful hands to work in participatory approach.


Contact Address:
Gyaneshwor Ratopul, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Phone: 977-1-434391, 438732, Fax: 977-1-425857
E-mail: rmkramik@hotmail.com
, Web: www.viewnepal.com/sopej