KATHMANDU: Chandragiri Municipality is set to allocate three percent of its total budget for environmental management in the upcoming fiscal year.

This initiative makes Chandragiri the first local government to dedicate a significant portion of its budget to environmental concerns.

The municipality has been implementing the Clean Air Project in collaboration with Family Health International (FHI) 360, with financial and technical support from USAID.

During a meeting with Rasika Padmaperuma, Chief Financial Officer of FHI 360, Mayor Ghanshyam Giri shared the municipality’s policy to allocate three percent of the total budget for environmental management.

Mayor Giri briefed CFO Padmaperuma on the municipality’s policies, programs, and activities aimed at promoting clean air, managing the environment, and reducing air pollution.

He emphasized that the climate adaptation policy is a top priority for the municipality.

Chief Administrative Officer Hemraj Aryal outlined the municipality’s efforts in education, health, and environmental management to enhance the quality of life for Chandragiri residents.

Aryal explained that evidence-based policies and programs have been developed to control and reduce air pollution, focusing on mitigating the economic and social impacts of climate change.

CFO Padmaperuma congratulated the municipality on its decision to allocate three percent of the budget for environmental management.

He expressed confidence that the Clean Air Project would help reduce the impacts of climate change on economic and social sectors.

Padmaperuma also noted that the municipality’s clean air initiatives could serve as a model for other regions.

During the visit, Padmaperuma observed a free vehicle emission testing operation run by the municipality at Thankot.

Bhushan Tuladhar, Chief of Party for USAID Clean Air, praised the various activities undertaken by the municipality to improve air quality in the Kathmandu Valley.