Fri 3 Mar 2023 06.19 EST. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local, said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. Thanking you. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Last modified on Fri 3 Mar 2023 20.17 EST. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. 21 October 2021 Climate and Environment. Air pollution has had a massive impact on Nepalese people. ? In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. However, the vast portion of pollution is generated locally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Poor air quality in Kathmandu and inside rural homes due to smoky kitchen fires kill far more people across South Asia than SARS-CoV-2. Students participate in activities such as program evaluation and monitoring, public health surveillance, program development, risk assessments and analysis, development of policy briefs . editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 The number of vehicles in the valley during the last two decades has increased ninefold, and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management in Nepal. As the new year gets underway, the world continues to grapple with a number of familiar challenges - the continued COVID-19 pandemic, resurgent wildfires, enduring crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. Research on microplastic concentration in aquatic environment is attracting scientists from developing countries, but in Nepal no information regarding microplastic in freshwater system is available. In recent years, cities in the Tarai have become infamous for the poor quality of their air, mostly because of the heavy presence of industries, dust from construction, and also trans-boundary pollution. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. Required fields are marked *. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Of six environmental problems facing the U.S., Americans remain most worried about those that affect water quality. Department of Information Registration No. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. Dust from construction works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city of four million people, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say. At a time when KathmandusAQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morningwith 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (AQI World map, below). According to AQ AirVisual, a Swiss group that collects air-quality data from around the world, the annual average PM2.5 level for Kathmandu in 2018 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), an increase from 45.9 g/m3 in 2017. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. As reported by the World Bank, Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world with an estimated GDP per capita of US$470. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. We see fog in the morning and haze in the afternoon due to local dust pollution in the winter season.. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Though the readings slowly became less alarming after the morning hours, at 10:00 am and onwards, the readings for Simara was still lingering above 300; others (stations mentioned above) showed the index between 151 to 200. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . The government has also decided to sell the natural minerals like sand, rocks, mud etc to India. - . But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Also, news from United Nations. The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. Recently the government has decided that the plastics that are less than 40 microns will be banned from use from the month of Shrawan 2078. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion & analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture & arts, sports, movies, food & travel, books, education, auto & more at kathmandupost.com This is a grave threat to public health, the government should have declared an emergency and taken urgent measures to curb pollution, says environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate inthe city. New Delhis AQI levels, which have been consistently high all winter because of crop residue burning as well as vehicular and industrial pollution, got a respite on Monday because of rainfall. From his home in Kathmandus Chabahil, Basudevs walks take him around Pashupatinath Temple and the Guheshwori area. Your email address will not be published. Thenumberofvehiclesin the valley during the last two decades has increasedninefold,and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management inNepal. "And it wasn't just the . For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. It urges the polluters to pay for the damage done to the natural environment. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government, which is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Double whammy: air pollution and Covid-19, Photo: MONIKA DEUPALA n the past eight months of this, ir quality across Nepal has been deteriorating over the years., The first step in reducing air pollution is to let. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The theme for World Environment Day (5 June) is #BeatAirPollution. (left). Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. UNICEF, on Wednesday, issued a statement calling for urgent action to address this air quality crisis in South Asia. Over the weekend, pollution levels hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters news agency. ? 25th Jan, 2023. Use of pesticides and fertilizers must be controlled. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. In addition, residential and commercial-scale solar electricity expenses have dropped from $0.52 to $0.16 and $0.40 to $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, respectively. To receive the magazine, become a member now. The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vans accounted for 92 percent of total registered vehicles in Bagmati by the end of 2014-15. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . But air pollution issues are continue to increase. A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. Measurement of air quality through the Air Quality Index (AQI) in city areas of the centralised valley, along with few areas of the Tarai region, shows that air pollution has become rampant. Therefore, it is advised that everyone should avoid all outdoor exertions. There is now growing fear that the toxic air of India, which had 22 of the worlds most polluted cities in 2018, will reach Nepal and cause a similar health panic, especially as the country itself has been struggling to check its air pollution levels. However, two years later, the action plan has neither been finalised nor enforced. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency . South Asia News: KATHMANDU: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. The leaves of plants are covered in dust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbaniz I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. We've received your submission. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. In Nepal, COPD is the second major cause of death after Ischemic Heart Diseases. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. Chandan Kumar Mandal is the environment and migration reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering labour migration and governance, as well as climate change, natural disasters, and wildlife. At a time when Kathmandus, AQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morning, with 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (. Apex court orders acceptance of writ against PM, dubbed one of the most polluted cities in the world, air pollution levels reaching nearly 10 times healthy limits, 22 of the worlds most polluted cities in 2018, ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country, PM2.5 level for Kathmandu in 2018 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3, deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley, Overextraction and shrinking open spaces cause groundwater depletion in Kathmandu Valley, As season of forest fires starts, authorities alert public to risks, History and politics of Nepals school education, Insurgency-era victims of sexual crimes still unheard. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. It was interesting to note that despite the manic traffic and lack of infrastructure many city roads were dirt tracks, with no traffic lights evident. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration of particulate matter below 10 and 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen dioxide and ground ozone. Advertisement PM2.5, or Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns thick, are among the most dangerous of air particles as they can get past the nose and throat to enter the lungs and even the bloodstream. Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. There will be complications in irrigation facility, deforestation will take place and landslides may occur, the water resources will get soaked. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. The haze has become a part of our environment, impeding our view and lowering our visibility. Submissions The air pollution emergency in Kathmandu puts the elderly, those with asthma and other respiratory ailments at high risk, and would be especially dangerous to those with Covid-19. At a time when Kathmandu's AQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morning with 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 ( AQI World map, below). But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. FEATURED FUNDS. A mask at best is a temporary solution and does not block harmful gases. I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poorair qualityin northern India and the Tarai was already thereducing average lifespanof tens of millions of people by 3.7 years. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. As AQ AirVisual data shows, PM2.5 levels in Kathmandu saw a continuous rise last yearfrom 65.6 g/m3 in November, followed by 91.9 g/m3 in December, 92.5g/m3 in January and peaking at 96.3 g/m3 in February. More than 65% of all deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in 2019 were linked to air pollution in Nepal. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. Thepolluter pays' principlewas introduced in1972 in order to address this issue. While the quality of air in some of these places has degraded tremendously, air quality in other places is becoming increasingly unhealthy. Moreover, Kathmandu is ranked as one of the most polluted cities in Asia:according to the airvisual.com, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted city. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained:Manybusinesseshavegone down due to high amount of road dust. Basudev Paudel is in his late fifties and at his age, he believes that regular morning walks are important for keeping healthy. Barun Poudel, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, says that the chances of pollution travelling as far north as Kathmandu from Indian cities are slim, but that Nepali cities bordering India have already seen some impacts. Strong laws related to environment should be made and implemented. Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. The government should really take a closer look at what their decision might lead the environment and the whole country to in the future. Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. Over the weekend, pollution levels hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Despite the fact that most people in our country are breathing the air with such perilous level pollution, we still lack the vigour to act responsibly against the situation. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 8 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. New Delhi has seen a sudden spike whereas Kathmandu witnesses a gradual increase in pollution level starting from November and reaching peak levels in January.. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust,a burning issue ofthe twenty firstcentury. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. A recent study by scientists from Peking University (China) and the University of Connecticut (USA) [1] has revealed that 1 in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia may be due to air . With a staggering 42 percent of the population living below the poverty line and only 27 percent with improved access to sanitation, there are quite a number of issues facing Nepal. The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep into the lungs, was 214 micrograms per cubic metre in the upscale area of Bhaisepati in Kathmandu on Sunday, Department of Environment data showed. This index is coloured red. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. Department of Information Registration No. Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly.