With an aim to disseminate information and seek active participation regarding "Male Declaration on Control & Prevention of Air Pollution & Its Likely Trans-boundary Effect for South Asia", a stakeholder workshop was organized on September 27, 2007 at Kathmandu by Clean Air Network Nepal, Clean Energy Nepal, Center for Pollution Studies, Institute of Engineering and ICIMOD.

Mrs. Bidhya Banmali Pradhan, Environment Officer at ICIMOD, said that Male Declaration is the first regional level declaration on air pollution that aimed to generate partnership and collaboration among the countries of South Asian region. For Nepal, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and ICIMOD are working as national focal point and national implementing agency respectively. She also highlighted the different initiatives taken under the Male declaration in South Asian Region. "Air pollution is an issue which will impact everybody regardless of their profession, religion, political boundary so almost all individuals, organizations and governments are stakeholders for this initiative. It’s time to contribute by every stakeholder for controlling air pollution problem," She said.

"The major contributing factor for deteriorating air quality in major cities of any country is vehicular emission, and Kathmandu is regarded as one of polluted city among Asian cities," said Mr. Gopal Raj Joshi, Program Coordinator of Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN).He stressed on need for implementation of integrated air quality management action plan for cities incorporating effective transport management, road maintenance, clean transport system and effective inspection and maintenance of vehicles. Regardless of best practices adopted by each nation to control pollution, Male Declaration is the regional effort taken by South Asian Countries. Illustrating the different phases of the declaration, Mr Joshi said there are still a lot we can contribute to reduce air pollution level in our country.

Transboundary air pollution issues are long-term issues, which need an action plan and systematic monitoring mechanism, said Mr. Rabindra Nath Bhattarai, head of Centre for Pollution Studies, Institute of Engineering.

Government has a significant role on facilitating initiatives for clean air but Nepal government has not become able to demonstrate such proactiveness, most of the participants concluded. In the past few initiatives have been taken with support from government, NGOs, Civil Society and local people. These bold steps includes banning of polluting three wheelers and brick kilns, introduction of electric vehicles and cleaners brick kiln, establishment of air quality monitoring stations. Such initiatives should be continued and more concrete action plan should be devised to let the people breathe in fresh air.