Mayors of the municipalities and metropolises in the Kathmandu Valley have committed to work together for reducing air pollution.
They made this commitment in the Mayors’ Summit on Air Pollution here Thursday.
The Summit is organized by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Clean Energy Nepal and International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
The mayors said concerted efforts were needed for addressing the problem of air pollution as it was a common problem.
Kathmandu mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya pointed out the need of effective coordination among the federal, provincial and local level governments for promoting clean environment.
Lalitpur mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan described the air pollution as the biggest problem in the Kathmandu Valley and said the sole efforts of the local levels would not be effective in addressing this problem.
ICIMOD director general David Molden expressed his organization’s support in air pollution control.
Ambassador of Mexico to India, Melba Pria said that the Kathmandu Valley could learn a lot from the experience of Mexico City in controlling air pollution.
Regional Program Manager of ICIMOD, Dr Araniko Pandey, and Chairperson of Clean Energy Nepal, Bhusan Tuladhar, shared about the condition of air pollution of Kathmandu Valley and measures to resolve the problem of air pollution.
Similarly, Mayors of Gokarneshwor, Suryabinayak, Nagarjun, Madhyapur Thimi, Mahalaxmi and Budhanilkantha municipalities stressed the need of mutual coordination and cooperation on infrastructure development, air pollution control and promotion of greenery in Kathmandu Valley.
Mayors and Deputy Mayors of two metropolitan cities and 16 municipalities were present in the Summit.
