Nepal initiates development of National Air Quality Management Action Plan

Honorable Minister for Forest and Environment, Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri delivers remarks at the opening session of the National Air Quality Management Action Plan, held in Kathmandu on 29th August.  Image: Rajendra Shakya\ICIMOD

Kathmandu, 1 September 2025 – The Department of Environment (DoEnv), Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and United Kingdom International Development, on Friday launched the development of country’s first National Air Quality Management Action Plan (NAQMAP). The workshop brought together experts from three countries including Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, and India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

The NAQMAP is part of Nepal’s broader effort to reduce air pollution throughout the country and guide its national air quality management strategy.

Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Honourable Minister for Forest and Environment for Nepal, described the effort as an ‘important channel’.  “This national initiative is not only the responsibility of the Department of Environment – but also of other ministries across the Government of Nepal. As learnt from the lessons shared today, convergence of schemes has worked to India’s favour for air quality improvements. A similar coordinated approach with all relevant ministries in Nepal can work to the country’s advantage.”

A 2024 global report found that 89% of Nepal’s population live in areas with PM2.5 levels above the WHO interim target of 35 µg/m3.

Gyanraj Subedi, Director General at the Department of Environment said, “This important discussion is a milestone for national air quality management in the country. This will be helpful in formulating our national air quality management plan. We will utilise the experiences from organisations like ICIMOD and World Bank, which will benefit this effort greatly.”

Experts from India’s CPCB shared best practices from the development of its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which launched in 2019.  Key measures include cutting fuel emissions, the ban of polluting energy sources and monitoring of air quality.

 “NCAP is the country’s first national strategy for air quality management, designed to reduce air pollution through targeted, city-specific actions,” said Sakshi Batra, Scientist at CPCB “It provides dedicated funding support to cities to help them achieve defined clean air targets and is backed by a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that links performance with funding—ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term progress.”

Neelesh Shah, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India said it was crucial to not just establish a centrally supported scheme, but also work with local governments and citizens, especially youth, to ensure air quality goals were met. 

Experts also set out China model of air quality management, where particulate and emissions fell without negatively impacting economic growth. In Beijing, for instance, strict norms including the online monitoring of nearby industrial emissions data along with control of dust and volatile organic compounds has cut emissions by more than 50%.

Ashish Tiwari, Air Pollution Lead at ICIMOD said, “Investing in a national action plan has multiple benefits including a better understanding of the factors impacting health, economic productivity and even crop yields. The NAQMAP will also provide a comprehensive delivery plan for long term clean air actions along with appropriate suggestive on policy, institutional capacity, financial resource mapping and tracking the actions through a robust monitoring & evaluation framework.”

Jonathan Reeves, Senior Climate & Energy Adviser, British Embassy, Nepal shared, “Black carbon, a climate forcer now known to speed up glacial melt in the region also endangers food, energy and water security for nearly two billion people in Asia.

“The UK is proud to support ICIMOD and the World Bank’s regional work on air quality management and to enable South-South cooperation so Nepal can draw on and adapt lessons from its neighbours.”

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