Municipal Actions for Air Quality in the Kathmandu Valley: Implementation Plan

Kathmandu is a multicultural metropolitan city and the political, cultural, and financial center of Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley has experienced rapid urbanization and population growth, an increase in vehicular traffic, and widespread urban infrastructure development including homes, schools, hospitals, and industries. This construction requires brick kilns, boilers, and other sources of pollution. In addition, road construction, unfinished roads, unpaved sidewalks, and the haphazard disposal of construction materials have all contributed to poor air quality. The Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Action Plan (KVAQMAP) – 2020 is a five-year plan proposed by the Department of Environment (DoE) within the Ministry of Forest and Environment and approved by the Cabinet of the Government of Nepal. It aims to mitigate air pollution by addressing causes, strengthening institutional capacity, and increasing awareness about and citizen participation in addressing this problem. The KVAQMAP involves different levels, sectors, ministries, and departments of the government and aims to include private sector and citizen groups in its implementation.

The USAID-funded Building Healthy Cities project (BHC) has worked with the DoE and 18 municipalities to roll out the KVAQMAP. The plan has identified strategic areas for local municipalities to implement together with other government, private, and nongovernment sectors. To support the KVAQMAP, BHC developed this Implementation Plan for municipalities using a systems thinking approach to identify what systemic issues related to air pollution can be addressed at the municipality level. This approach includes defining the municipal context, identifying best opportunities for municipal intervention, and what inter-relating actions can be implemented at the municipal level.