Majorities express "a great deal" of worry about the pollution of both drinking water (56%) and rivers, lakes and reservoirs (53%). The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around3.5 million. Legal provisions should be made in order for people to manage solid wastes properly. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled road release huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. Your email address will not be published. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. UNICEF, on Wednesday, issued a statement calling for urgent action to address this air quality crisis in South Asia. We see fog in the morning and haze in the afternoon due to local dust pollution in the winter season.. 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. Air pollution is slashing years from billions of people's lives around the world and is a greater threat to life expectancy than smoking, HIV/AIDS or war, a report published Wednesday shows.. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. According to Tuladhar, New Delhi was able to immediately swing into action because it had an action plan to deal with the crisis. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets . Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. 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. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. Nepal is a landlocked nation with the current population of over 27 million people. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. Winter inversion, vehicular emission, wildfires, and cross-border industrial pollution have combined to give Kathmandu Valley the worst air quality among cities in the world this week, adding to the risk of respiratory complications for Covid-19 patients. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that in polluted urban areas, reducing air pollution could do as much as completely eliminating smoking would to lower rates of the 12 types of cancer most commonly associated with smoking, including lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer . Vehicular emissions or traffic related particulate matter has serious health effects such as increased respiratory disease, reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, heart disease etc. The CPV power plant operates in Woodbridge N.J. on Feb. 27, 2023. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . The US Environmental Protection Agency gave the all clear for residents to return home shortly after the February 3 derailment and controlled burn that followed. The moves reflect residents deep-seated mistrust of government screenings of toxic chemicals and fears of long-term effects from the train derailment. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. Globally, air pollution results in around sevenmillion deaths annually. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Sonia Awale May 31, 2019. This also adds to the risk of COVID-19, said Sher Bahadur Pun, a doctor at a tropical and infectious disease hospital in the capital. Haze engulfs Kathmandu valley as the air pollution increases to unhealthy levels, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. 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. That compares with the governments standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Kathmandu valley requireshalf of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. We all have been well aware about the problem of environmental pollution which has been very petrifying to the living beings. For example, an EIA for a major highway would need . Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. Located between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters, the Himalayan nation is seeing the worst pollution levels since 2016. The country of 30 million people lies in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. But the Narayani's problems go back further. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. The leaves of plants are covered indust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. The Ecologist is an environmental news and analysis website with a focus on environmental, social and economic justice. In . The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . The government slashed taxes on electric vehicles, butmuch of the supporting infrastructure required, likecharging facilities, uninterrupted electric supply and adequate parking lots, has not even been planned. 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. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. 1. Q : Emu bird is found in the country. New road Kathmandu. In 2013, a team of Cambridge University scientists were in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, developing a device to measure . The index stood at 214 as per DoE's data. Phil Murphy but which has yet to take full effect should prevent the . 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. The recent Environmental Performance Index 2016 has suggested increase in overall PM 2.5 in Nepal over the last decade. ? Kathmandu: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. The major effect of air pollution can be mainly observed in the cities such as Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, and Lumbini. 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. 2426/077-78 Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. About three months later, at the present time, the pollution seems to have worsened. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. Take your pick, but remember the best thing is to reduce the source of pollution. This is also indicated in maroon. Kakhara Madhyam Pvt. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. All of these vehicles degrade the air quality byemitting huge quantitiesof smoke into the ambient environment. WASHINGTON - Today the Environmental Working Group published an analysis of peer-reviewed data that for the first time shows the global scope of contamination by the "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, which may be harming over 330 wildlife species around the world.. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which . The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency announced on Wednesday, following a lawsuit from environmental groups arguing current standards are too weak, according to Reuters. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. The government has declared a public health emergency, asking schools to shut down and residents to avoid outdoor physical activities, especially during morning and late evening. Benchmarks . 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. 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. 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. Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. Air pollution is a silent killer and while it is difficult to quantify its heath impact, hospitalisation due to serious respiratory diseases has increased sharply in recent years, says chest specialist Raju Pangeni at HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust,a burning issue ofthe twenty firstcentury. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. Site By: Hiti Design, On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at the. Air pollution is a chronic problem in . This may collapse the whole ecosystem in general. Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Department of Environment on January 5 had released a statement mentioning about the change in weather condition in the country and increasing level of pollution in Kathmandu valley. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . 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. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. AQI levels in north India and Nepal on 5 January at 8AM showing Kathmandu's much higher pollution levels compared to New Delhi. The agency, along with local and . The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. That said, old diesel vehicles are contributing significantly to the poor air quality in the city. Your email address will not be published. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. Site By: Hiti Design, The first step in reducing air pollution is to let, Nepali scientist returns to pinpoint hazards of dirty air, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IudF3qNM-xE&feature=youtu.benobha Gurung could have had a distinguished international career in, Sonia Awale s winter sets in and air quality deteriorates,. This means Kathmandus pollution has been 15 times higher than the WHO standard. 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. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. ? Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. A mask at best is a temporary solution and does not block harmful gases. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. put Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. Other global AQI measurement sites like. On Wednesday, the daily average PM 2.5 level for the western city clocked around 200, which is deemed unhealthy. Last modified on Fri 3 Mar 2023 20.17 EST. Three members of the Paudel family followed suit, but they never gave much thought to the quality of the air they were breathing in. Ocean pollution poses a clear and present danger to human health and well-being, according to a new study from an international group of researchers. 12 February 2021. To The Editor The . While asked about the poorest air quality index of the capital city, Shankar Prasad Poudel, information officer for the Department of Environment, said that three major factors have affected the air quality of the Valley. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. Find out about our mission, and our team, here. Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . 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. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 8 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. This is a very great decision taken by the government. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government that is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. 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. Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in tents, breathing air thick with pollutants unleashed from tombs of rubble, fearful that a new disaster could strike at any moment. The government should really take a closer look at what their decision might lead the environment and the whole country to in the future. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. Required fields are marked *. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. The transport sector further contributes 30 percent of PM10 particles, which are smaller than a grain of sand and can easily pass through the hairs in our nose, second only to the construction sector, which emits 53 percent of the total PM10. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. Hemraj Bhattarai is agraduate student from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, and is currently working on air pollution issuesat Kathmandu Center for Research and Education, Nepal. Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . Most make various performance claims based on lab tests but factors like the masks fit play important roles. Anupamaas Nidhi Shahs off-screen glam looks, Top 10 T'wood actresses of the 80s and 90s, Shraddha Das rocks the thigh-high slit trend, Live: PM addresses post-budget webinar on Green Growth, Oscars to have Crisis Team after Will Smith slapgate, Adani's older brother plays key role at embattled dynasty, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. Atmospheric greenhouse gases reach record high, latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. And even though the nature of pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu is varied, Nepal needs to learn to deal with its own toxic air. 30 Mar 2021. Average life expectancy is reduced by at least four years in the worst-affected areas like Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and other parts of the Tarai. Reuters. "And it wasn't just the . editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 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. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit37,399 and 9943 respectively,according to aRepublica news report published on 23 November 2019. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal 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. 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. 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 . The air in Kathmandu, already dubbed one of the most polluted cities in the world, gets worse once the winter sets in. According to the World Air Quality Report, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted capital city in the world, based on its average yearly PM2.5 level. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road condition of older vehicles is triggering air quality problems in the valley. ? The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. 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. 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. "This also adds to the risk of COVID-19," said Sher Bahadur Pun, a doctor at a tropical and infectious disease hospital in the capital. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. Since PM2.5 are so small, they are also likely to hang in the air for longer, increasing the chances that they will be inhaled. There has also been a 25% increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. Local pollution in Nepali border towns with high vehicular emissions and industrial pollution could increase due to pollution coming from across the border, he said. 2426/077-78 "We found that the pollution exposure was really, really high, suggesting potential for substantial health impacts of air pollution in this region," says Gurung, who is now a doctoral candidate at F&ES. 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. Bhushan Tuladhar, an environmentalist who closely watches levels of air pollution in the country, agrees that there is a minimal chance of pollution from Delhi and northern India reaching Kathmandu, although cities in the Tarai are already dealing with poor air quality coming from across the border. Looking at the air quality data over the last few years, it appears that Nepal made amarked improvement from 2018 to 2019, with a PM2.5 reading of 54.15 g/m beingrecorded as an average over 2018 as compared to 44.46 g/m in 2019.