The poor participation of the general public in formulating and implementing environmental projects dramatically affects the environmental situation in the country. A study by the Ministry of Health found that only 45 percent of Moldova’s population has secure access to quality drinking water. These findings were presented today at the public debate on the right to healthy environment. According to the Deputy-minister of Health, Ion Bahnarel, 86% of the analysed water samples do not meet the prescribed chemical parameters, while 30% - not even the microbiological standards. The fact that the Government doesn’t treat environment protection issues as a priority is the main cause why the constitutional right to enjoy a healthy environment is brushed off, say the independent assessors of the implementation of the National Action Plan for human rights. “In the course of the plan’s implementation the institutional changes were overlooked and a significant part of activities was left uncovered”, the assessment report reads. According to the experts, the central and local authorities have an insignificant contribution to ensuring the right to healthy environment – of 10% and 5%, respectively. The burden is placed on the shoulders of the NGOs and international organisations – 80%, while the population gets involved in a proportion of 5 percent. Minister of Environment Constantin Mihailescu says the shortage of funds is the main obstacle to implementing environment policies. At the same time, this year can be considered “a turning point”. It is the first time that an extremely dangerous pollutant - unused pesticides - is destroyed. In the course of August there will be destroyed some 150,000 tonnes of such pesticides. Mihailescu regrets the lack of an efficient mechanism that would punish the persons who neglect the environment rules. Only 4 in 10 cases signalled and taken to court by the ministry are actually punished, says the minister. The public debate on the right to healthy environment is organised by the parliamentary Committee for human rights, the Committee for public administration, in partnership with the UNDP’s project “Support to the implementation of the National Action Plan for human rights”.