Kathmandu, Dec. 4 -- Nepal has unveiled a draft environmental and social management framework to implement the Nepal Clean Air for Prosperity project, a major initiative aimed at reducing industrial air pollution and strengthening air quality governance.

The blueprint was jointly released by the Forest and Environment Ministry and the Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ministry with support from the World Bank.

Nepal's industrial sector remains heavily dependent on coal, diesel and furnace oil, releasing high levels of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases-including black carbon.

Through the new framework, the government aims to cut reliance on these polluting fuels and shift industries towards clean en...