Kathmandu - Achieving clean air in Nepal will require coordinated and sustained action across multiple sectors, according to a newly released report titled “Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions.” The report highlights that air pollution in Nepal is not driven by a single cause but is the result of interconnected factors spanning transport, industry, households, forests, and regional dynamics.
The analysis identifies five key sectors that must be addressed simultaneously to improve air quality nationwide.
Vehicular emissions remain one of the most visible contributors, particularly in urban centers like Kathmandu Valley. Rapid growth in vehicle numbers, reliance on older and poorly maintained vehicles, traffic congestion, and limited public transport options have significantly increased pollution levels.
Industrial emissions are another major concern. Brick kilns, cement factories, and other industries often operate with outdated technologies and weak emission controls, releasing large quantities of particulate matter and harmful gases into the atmosphere.
At the household level, traditional cooking practices continue to affect air quality, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. The widespread use of firewood, agricultural residues, and other solid fuels for cooking exposes families—particularly women and children—to hazardous indoor air pollution while also contributing to outdoor pollution.
Forest fires, both natural and human-induced, have emerged as a growing seasonal threat. Prolonged dry periods linked to climate change have increased the frequency and intensity of fires, releasing massive amounts of smoke and fine particles that degrade air quality across large regions.
In addition, the report stresses the impact of transboundary air pollution. Polluted air does not respect national borders, and emissions from neighboring regions significantly influence Nepal’s air quality, especially during winter months when atmospheric conditions trap pollutants.
The report emphasizes that improving air quality is not only an environmental priority but also a public health and economic necessity. Cleaner air can reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lower healthcare costs, improve productivity, and enhance overall quality of life.
To address the challenge, the study calls for integrated, multisectoral solutions, including cleaner transport systems, stricter industrial standards, promotion of clean cooking technologies, better forest management, and strengthened regional cooperation on air pollution control.
The report has been developed with support from international development partners and aims to provide policymakers, researchers, and civil society with a clear roadmap toward cleaner air in Nepal.
As Nepal continues its development journey, the findings underline a crucial message: clean air is achievable, but only through collective action that cuts across sectors, institutions, and national boundaries.
