Kathmandu, September 4, 2025
Nepal has taken a significant step toward combating one of its most pressing environmental challenges with the launch of its first National Air Quality Management Action Plan (NAQMAP). An inception workshop, held in Kathmandu on August 29, brought together government officials, experts, industry representatives, and development partners to chart a roadmap for cleaner air across the country.
The initiative is being led by the Department of Environment (DoEnv), Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and UK International Development. Experts from India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), alongside the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, joined the discussions to share lessons from regional experiences.
Honourable Minister for Forest and Environment, Aain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, called the initiative “an important channel” for coordinated efforts. He stressed that improving Nepal’s air quality requires collaboration among multiple ministries, similar to India’s convergence of schemes under its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
A 2024 global report revealed that nearly 89% of Nepal’s population lives in areas with PM2.5 concentrations above the World Health Organization’s interim target of 35 µg/m³, underscoring the urgency of national-level intervention.
Gyanraj Subedi, Director General at the Department of Environment, described the workshop as a milestone, saying, “This will be helpful in formulating our national plan. We will utilise the experiences of organisations like ICIMOD and the World Bank to strengthen our efforts.”
Sharing regional insights, experts from India highlighted measures under NCAP, including fuel emission cuts, bans on polluting energy sources, and robust monitoring mechanisms. From China, officials presented how strict enforcement and online monitoring of industrial emissions in Beijing had helped cut air pollution by over 50% without hindering economic growth.
Ashish Tiwari, Air Pollution Lead at ICIMOD, emphasised the multiple benefits of investing in NAQMAP, from protecting public health and boosting productivity to safeguarding agricultural yields. He also noted that the action plan would integrate policy guidance, institutional capacity-building, resource mapping, and a strong monitoring and evaluation framework.
International partners expressed strong support for Nepal’s initiative. Jonathan Reeves, Senior Climate & Energy Adviser at the British Embassy in Nepal, highlighted the threat of black carbon, which accelerates glacial melt and threatens food, energy, and water security for nearly two billion people across Asia. “The UK is proud to support regional cooperation so Nepal can adapt lessons from its neighbours,” Reeves added.
The NAQMAP is expected to serve as a cornerstone for Nepal’s long-term clean air strategy, helping to reduce pollution levels and improve health outcomes for millions of citizens.
