On March 23, 2026, the Youth Alliance for Environment (YAE), in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Forests and Environment and the Clean Air Alliance, in partnership with Save the Children in Nepal and SIDA, convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue in Kathmandu. The dialogue brought together government officials, health experts, youth leaders, children, media representatives and civil society representatives to address the growing air pollution crisis in Nepal and its serious implications for public health. The health impacts are deeply concerning, ranging from respiratory diseases and heart conditions to reduced life expectancy. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable, with increasing cases of asthma, impaired lung development, and long-term health complications.
One message stood out clearly: there is no “vaccine” for environmental health. Concerns were also raised regarding the revision and effective implementation of the Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Plan.
Addressing air pollution requires:
Stronger vertical and horizontal coordination across federal, provincial, and local governments Science-based and child-centred policies Source-level pollution control Collective actionClean air is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. The time to act is now, for our health and for future generations.
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