The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the three-tier of governments to ensure citizens’ right to clean and healthy environment.

The human rights body appealed to the three-tier governments to implement the provisions related to clean and healthy environment guaranteed by the Nepal Constitution as well as national and international laws.

A press release issued on Wednesday by Commission Spokesperson, Dr Tikaram Pokharel, reads that NHRC’s attention was drawn towards the possible effects on citizens’ health as Nepal is in the forefront of the global list of the air-polluted countries for the past few years.

“The Clause 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 2076, has the provision that necessary criteria could be determined to reduce or eliminate the effects of air pollution”, reads the statement, adding the data shows that citizens right to life has not been guaranteed despite efforts of three-tier governments for citizens right to clean and healthy environment along with quality air.

Spokesperson Pokharel said the Commission has been monitoring air pollution increasing in recent period and its effect on citizens’ health. In course of monitoring, the NHRC found that out of 27 mechanisms established to measure air quality in Nepal, 15 were not found working.

The air pollution measured higher than the stipulated standard has made serious impact on health rights of chronic disease patients, senior citizens, children, new born, pregnant women and disabled persons.

A study shows around seven million people die from air pollution every year in the world. According to the Commission, air pollution kills 42,000 people every year in Nepal and more than 5,000 in Kathmandu Valley alone.

Article 30 of the Nepal Constitution has a provision that every citizen has a right to live in clean and healthy environment, mentioning right to clean environment as fundamental rights.