Kathmandu, October 25 

Mayors of the metropolitan cities and municipalities in Kathmandu valley have pledged to work together to reduce air pollution. They made this commitment at the Mayors’ Summit on Air Pollution here today.

The summit was organised by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur  Metropolitan City, Clean Energy Nepal and International Centre for  Integrated Mountain Development. The mayors said concerted efforts were needed to address the problem of air pollution as it was a common problem.

Kathmandu Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya pointed out the need for effective  coordination and cooperation among the federal, provincial and local governments to check pollution.

Lalitpur Mayor Chiri Babu  Maharjan described air pollution as the biggest problem in  Kathmandu Valley and said the sole efforts of the local levels would not  be effective in addressing the problem.

ICIMOD Director General David Molden expressed his organisation’s support for efforts to control pollution. Ambassador  of Mexico to India, Melba Pria said Kathmandu valley could  learn a lot from the experience of Mexico City in controlling air  pollution.

Regional Programme Manager of ICIMOD Dr Araniko  Pandey and Chairperson of Clean Energy Nepal Bhusan Tuladhar spoke about air pollution in Kathmandu valley and measures to  resolve the problem.

Similarly, mayors of  Gokarneshwor, Suryabinayak, Nagarjun, Madhyapur Thimi, Mahalaxmi and  Budhanilkantha municipalities stressed the need for coordination  to check air pollution and  promote greenery in Kathmandu valley.

Mayors and deputy mayors of two metropolitan cities and 16 municipalities in the valley attended the summit.