The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. While the quality of air in some of these places has degraded tremendously, air quality in other places is becoming increasingly unhealthy. Since the festival of Diwali ended last week, the air quality in New Delhi has drastically deteriorated, resulting in air pollution levels reaching nearly 10 times healthy limits. The 3rd leading cause of death in low and middle-income countries is COPD, 5th leading cause is Lower Respiratory Infections and seventh is Diarrheal diseases. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. The rapid use of fossil fuels, increase in deforestation, unstable use of natural resources, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals, sewage and wastewater, nuclear waste, industrialization, urbanization, use of plastics and a lot more factors contribute to environmental pollution. In Nepal, 35,000 people die annually due to illnesses caused by polluted air. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt by plants, particularly to those closer to the road. 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. We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. Photo Courtesy: Department of Environment/Air Quality Montoring, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 9 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. Electrified public transport would have been a good place to start, but 6 months after Prime Minister KP Oli launched an electric mobility action plan to turn at least 20% of public vehicles into battery-operated ones by 2020, progress has been slow. In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Department of Information Registration No. 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.. The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". 12 February 2021. 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. At the same hour, Bhaktapur's air quality degraded as low as 347 (according to The World Air Quality Project) while as per DoE's data it stood at 348. But air pollution issues are continue to increase. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. I would be very thankful to you if you publish my article on your esteemed daily.Hope the government will take immediate action on this matter. Thanking you. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around3.5 million. Your email address will not be published. Similarly, a University of Massachusetts study found that the good old surgical mask blocked 60% of 0.03 micron particles, and over 90% of 1 micron and 2.5 micron particles. Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt byplants, particularly to those closer to the road. Macrotech Developers Ltd. 997.35 152.6. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. Other global AQI measurement sites like. A Love Beyond Measure: The Unforgettable Reunion, , . Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. When will women lead big political parties? Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . The environment has been in a better condition. Fri 3 Mar 2023 06.19 EST. As women play a significant role in the management and use of energy sources for household cooking, they are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution [7]. Air pollution is a chronic problem in . But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Of six environmental problems facing the U.S., Americans remain most worried about those that affect water quality. The country of 30 . Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. The moves reflect residents deep-seated mistrust of government screenings of toxic chemicals and fears of long-term effects from the train derailment. Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. The rapid use of fossil fuels, increase in deforestation, unstable use of natural resources, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals, sewage and wastewater, nuclear waste, industrialization, urbanization, use of plastics and a lot more factors contribute to environmental pollution. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust,a burning issue ofthe twenty firstcentury. Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. 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. Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. Butair pollution issues are continue to increase. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbaniz At this level of air quality, it is better that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Haze engulfs Kathmandu valley as the air pollution increases to unhealthy levels, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Some air pollution is not seen, but its pungent smell alerts you. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. Q Strong laws related to environment should be made and implemented. It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. Says Pallavi Pant, air quality scientist at the Health Effects Institute: Exposures to air pollution have been shown to affect the human bodys immune defence, making an individual more susceptible to respiratory infections such as pneumonia., Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale 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. The funds are the first . Kakhara Madhyam Pvt. Introduction. By Leah Douglas. In Nepal, around 8,700 people, mainly women and children, die prematurely each year due to illnesses related to indoor air pollution from solid biomass fuel burning [8]. 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. Photo Courtesy: Department of Environment/Air Quality Montoring, President candidate Poudel reaches RSP office seeking votes, US, Russia hold highest-level talks since Ukraine invasion, Scathing report on Nepal's security controls, In Pictures: Air Pollution continues its grip over Kathmandu Valley, China acknowledges Sino-Indian brawl at Galwan Valley from last year for the first time, Covid vaccination drive in Nepal could be affected with Indian govt halting AstraZeneca export. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. Take your pick, but remember the best thing is to reduce the source of pollution. Kathmandu Valley has seen a rapid increase in vehicle numbers in the last 15 years. Yours sincerely, Rajesh. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Air qualities in cities like Birgunj, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa get worse due to local air pollution, supported by stagnation of air in this season where there is an inversion of temperature, a reversal of the normal behaviour of temperature in the troposphere, said Poudel, the meteorologist. The US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries.