We are ICIMOD, a unique intergovernmental institution leading the global effort to protect the pulse ...
With a vast array of partners, we organize our work in what we call Regional ...
Successful interventions can change lives for the better. We hope that the stories of success ...
1xbet
This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.
As winter sets in, air pollution in Kathmandu Valley is re-emerging as the biggest environmental challenge it faces, presenting a daily struggle for its citizens. Elected authorities of the local government are under intense pressure to address this complex problem.
Air pollution in the valley can be significantly reduced with coordinated action based on scientific evidence. To facilitate such action, Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Lalitpur Metropolitan City, hosted a Mayors’ Summit on Air Pollution on 25 October 2018.
2 mins Read
The two-hour event included experts’ briefings on the current scientific understanding of air pollution, on the possible solutions that municipalities can implement, and on the regulatory framework within which the municipalities can work. Speaking at the programme, Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City said, “In a span of 20 years, Mexico City has gone from being among the most polluted cities to among the most livable ones. This can be a major lesson for us in the Kathmandu Valley.”
A major highlight of the programme was when Melba Pria, the Ambassador of Mexico to India, shared with participants relevant experiences from Mexico City. Mexico City is geographically very similar to the Kathmandu Valley – a bowl shaped valley with multiple municipalities. Twenty years ago, its air quality was the worst in the world, but the city has since made remarkable improvements. Ambassador Pria spoke about how this was achieved, providing inspiration for similar efforts in Kathmandu. She said “Change is possible. In 1992, WHO reported just 8 good air quality days in Mexico City, the corresponding number in 2012 was 248 days! This did not happen overnight. Between 2008 and 2012, 72 municipalities worked closely at local, federal, and central levels to transform approaches in industries, transportation, the emission standards, and public perceptions. Coordination at all levels was very important in the course of developing public policies, and decisions were always based on solid scientific data.”
The representatives of the Kathmandu valley municipalities have committed to work together in coordination with central and provincial governments for clean air and related issues. As the next step, the recently formed Integrated Municipal Level Coordination Council with representation from all18 municipalities are to work together for air quality management in the Kathmandu Valley. The mayors have pledged to initiate dialogue around seven priority points, and to further develop them into an action-oriented Declaration for Clean Air upon which all municipalities can act upon:
Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and the Chiefs of the Environment Divisions of the 18 Municipalities in Kathmandu Valley, representatives from central governmental bodies, key stakeholders, and media participated in the programme.
Share
Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.
related content
SANDEE brings together researchers and practitioners from South Asian countries to address the region’s environmental development challenges. For 16 years, ...
With each passing year new realities are creeping into remote parts of Nepal leading to change in lifestyles, food habits, ...
The ‘Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (Himalica) Initiative’ facilitated a three-day micro-planning workshop in Kyaung Taung ...
A regional workshop on ‘SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) impact pathway, partnership and communication strategy’ was held 11-15 July 2016 ...
The participants were given a brief background of the Dhungetar Reconstruction Project. This was followed by an interaction with the ...
In August 2015, a team consisting of experts from China’s Yunnan Institute of Environmental Sciences and ICIMOD carried out a ...
Broadly, the meeting paved the way forward for creating synergies and future lines of action in the context of REDD+ ...
ICIMOD is currently supporting a socio-economic and vulnerability assessment of the Punatshangchu basin as part of the Cryosphere Monitoring Programme ...