Vice-President Parmanand Jha has said that Nepal's natural resources were not used for national development despite their abundance.

The vice president was speaking at a programme organised by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK and the Asian Center for Environment Management and Sustainable Development (AEMS), Nepal, to release a book entitled 'Safeguarding the Future, Securing Shangri-La' in capital Kathmandu, according to RSS.

On the occasion, the Vice-President said that people of some districts of Tarai region had suffered due to lack of irrigation facilities owing to deforestation, and stressed for utilizing the natural resources.

Similarly, Vice-chancellor of Pokhara University Dr Khagendra Prasad Bhattarai said environmental issue was a global phenomenon and suggested that authorities should pay attention to investment more in green economy to maintain balance between development and environment.

National and international experts have contributed articles and features to the book.

Likewise, Chairperson of AEMS Prof Dr Ram Bahadur Khadka demanded for a separate environment ministry to oversee the issues relating to environment.

On the occasion, singer Komal Oli's melodrama song, 'Let's safeguard Our Future' was also released. Nepalnews.com