We call for urgent action to ensure our constitutional right to live in a healthy and clean environment as stated in Article 30 in the Constitution of Nepal 2072.

According to report released by WHO 2016, the air quality of Kathmandu is five times worse than WHO recommended guidelines. A study by the Ministry of Population and Environment in 2005 estimated 1600 premature deaths related to air pollution in Kathmandu Valley.  According to Yale University Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2016, (http://epi.yale.edu)Nepal is ranked 149 among 180 countries. If we only consider air quality, Nepal is ranked 177. 
Thus, to ensure timely action on these issues by the Government of Nepal, a long term campaign of civil entities, individuals and organizations is formed under the name Campaign for Clean Air Rights(C-CAR).
We thank Government of Nepal for the past efforts on curbing air pollution, and recent fiscal budget tax-cut provisions for electric vehicles. But at the same time we condemn Government of Nepal for the inadequate response, negligence and failure to address air pollution issues in upcoming fiscal year’s plan and programs.

We demand Government of Nepal to:

• Formulate ‘Comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan’ under urgent, mid-term and long term strategy and legal measures such as ‘Clean Air Act’ to address this serious air pollution.  
• Take immediate action to install Air pollution monitoring stations in key locations of Kathmandu valley
• Devise stringent vehicle emission standard, enforcement of green sticker provision and take polluting vehicles off the road.
• Upgrade the fuel standard including provision of cleaner fuel, and mandatory provision to use emission control technologies especially in diesel vehicles.
• Promote non-motorized transport system by building safer infrastructures for walking and cycling, and introduce environment-friendly, efficient and affordable mass transit to ensure sustainable urban mobility in Kathmandu Valley.
• Follow proper environment management plan and take strict action against contractors for delayed road construction to address dust pollution from road construction activities.
• Devise plans and take urgent action to reduce pollution industries especially from brick kilns and usage of diesel generators, and Ban open solid waste burning practices.
• Pollution tax raised from petroleum has remained unspent. We ask government to mobilize pollution tax immediately on air pollution mitigation activities and on implementing ‘Clean Air Action Plan’. We also request to invest the increased tax on fuel to be invested in mass public transport system, and make pollution industries and vehicles to pay their fair share for contributing to air pollution.

We hereby declare Kathmandu Valley a 'Mask-Must Zone' and start the campaign #MaskMandu from June 5, 2016. This will remain until air quality comes down as per the National Air Quality Standards.

Please sign and share this petition to demonstrate your support and call Government of Nepal to address this hazardous and life-threatening level of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. This petition will be submitted to the Prime Minister of Nepal and relevant agencies demanding immediate action.

Please join the sit-in demanding immediate action :
5th June 2016, 7:00 am at Rastriya Sabha Ghriha
https://www.facebook.com/events/249034568800411/