This indicates, around a quarterof the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Your email address will not be published. Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. 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. We should work for the betterment of the environment because the nature has provided a lot to us and we shouldnt be disgraceful towards it. Air pollution is also the main environmental risk factor for non-communicable diseases like cancers and lung diseases, concludes a recent report by the NCD Alliance and the Forum of International Respiratory Scientists: The challenge is great, but the cure is straight-forward it must be met by national, regional, local and personal responses. 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. 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. There are dozens of types of masks available in Kathmandu. at Phora Darbar. While the quality of air in some of these places has degraded tremendously, air quality in other places is becoming increasingly unhealthy. 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. Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. 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 We are mainly responsible for the destructive changes in the environment. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. We know what we're looking at when brown haze settles over a city, exhaust billows across a busy highway, or a plume rises from a smokestack. 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. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. If there is any health advisory from the government, our family will stop going on regular morning walks, said Sunil. The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. 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. Scavengers help keep world clean, but left to plead for CO Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Kelly Osbourne posts first photo of baby son as he hangs out with uncle Jack, Greys Anatomy alum Isaiah Washington retiring from acting: The haters have won, Max Scherzer's first look at the new pitch clock, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution . It is a call to mobilize, say the authors who . The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . 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. I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. In 2017, solar electricity costs dropped from $0.28 to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour for utility-scale photovoltaic solar power. 2426/077-78 Thanks for contacting us. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser, News article on environment pollutation in nepal to be published in newspaper, Describe a situation where you made a wrong decision and also explain how did you handle the situation?, Which one is the tallest tower in the world. This year, I have already started feeling different. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Nepal isn't short of water, thanks to the monsoon rains and the rivers that bring meltwater down from the Himalayan glaciers and snowpack. "And it wasn't just 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. , , , , . Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Due to the industrial revolution from the late 20th century the environment has been polluted to such an extent that now it has become a global issue. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. 22 September 2021. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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 (. When a vehicle passes by, dust is released into the air and pollutes the clothes that are kept for selling and the customers do not like the polluted ones. This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. FEATURED FUNDS. The average global citizen loses 2.2 years of life with today's levels of air pollution and, if nothing changes, that adds up to . One of those rivers is the Melamchi, about 25 . Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly. 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. 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. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. 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. Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate in the city. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. Three members of the Paudel family followed suit, but they never gave much thought to the quality of the air they were breathing in. No: 289512/78/079 VAT No: 610271654 Editor Ashok Silwal Email nepalnamcha@gmail.com, Copyright 2023, , All Rights Reserved | Designed with. "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. The polluter pays' principle was introduced in 1972 in order to address this issue. We could barely see the birds flying around before but nowadays we can see the birds chirping and flying up in the sky due to decrease in air pollution. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. As we see the readings from air quality metres located in various stations of the country, we find that Simara has the poorest air quality. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)ranked Nepal 177thout of 180 countries. All of these vehicles degrade the air quality by emitting huge quantities of smoke into the ambient environment. Therefore, it is advised that everyone should avoid all outdoor exertions. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. The CPV power plant operates in Woodbridge N.J. on Feb. 27, 2023. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. 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. Q : Only continent in the world without a desert is. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. Find out more. We can develop our own action plan to combat air pollution and also introduce other measures like enforcing green stickers for vehicles, among many others.. AQ AirVisual, on Thursday, also ranked Kathmandu the ninth most polluted city in the world, with PM2.5 levels reaching 139 g/m3the level at which the air becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups, as per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index. 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. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. By Leah Douglas. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. 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. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 The governments standard level is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. Copper multifaceted interferences during swine wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds: Alterations on nutrient removal, biomass composition and resource recovery. 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. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. 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. Kathmandu valley requireshalf of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. This level is considered hazardous, and can lead to serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly, [along with] serious risk of respiratory effects in general population, according to the United States Environment Protection Agency. Site By: Hiti Design, On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at the. Yours sincerely, Rajesh. 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. We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting pollution. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around3.5 million. Southwesterly winds have carried in some clouds with dust particles, mainly in the western parts of Tarai districts like Kanchanpur, Banke and Bardiya, Poudel told the Post. The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan . There will be complications in irrigation facility, deforestation will take place and landslides may occur, the water resources will get soaked. This is also indicated in maroon. 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. The government should ban the use of old vehicles. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. 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. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. The country of 30 million people lies in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. 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. With neighbouring India and China committed to manufacturing only electric automobiles by 2030, Nepal will be forced to go electric. Butair pollution issues are continue to increase. 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. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. 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. Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust, a burning issue of the twenty first century. Air pollution regularly exceeds recommended safe levels. In . 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. 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. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road condition of older vehicles is triggering air quality problems in the valley. 21 October 2021 Climate and Environment. - . (left). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports fine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is around ten times higher than the WHO limit. Kathmandu has dangerous levels of air and water pollution, making certain regions of the city nearly unlivable. The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep . With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. 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.That compares with the government's standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. The major effect of air pollution can be mainly observed in the cities such as Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, and Lumbini. 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. Macrotech Developers Ltd. 997.35 152.6. Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a little more positive change in the environment since the vehicles are barely on the road and people dont travel much. This is a very unpleasant decision. 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. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. 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. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. EIAs must be submitted to Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) for approval, whereas IEEs can be approved by other relevant ministries. Under the US Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates wastewater discharge from meat and poultry plants into . This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. Most make various performance claims based on lab tests but factors like the masks fit play important roles. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Air pollution shortens lives more than any other external cause. Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. A Love Beyond Measure: The Unforgettable Reunion, , . Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. Introduction. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . Nepal's Environment Protection Rules 2020 (2077) lists projects that need IEEs under Schedule 2, and those that need EIAs under Schedule 3. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. Sunil Paudel, Basudevs son, stopped going on morning walks last year after learning that Kathmandus air quality was reaching unsafe levels. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. The statement declared that the level of pollution in the valley is increasingly -- especially in the mornings and the evenings -- creating negative implications on people's health. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt byplants, particularly to those closer to the road. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. Benchmarks . But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. The COP27 sponsor's products were the most commonly found items by volunteers researching plastic pollution. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled road release huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. Air pollution has been a major problem of 21st century for both developed and developing world. Kakhara Madhyam Pvt. 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 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. But the Narayani's problems go back further. The recent Environmental Performance Index 2016 has suggested increase in overall PM 2.5 in Nepal over the last decade. 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. The environment has been in a better condition. ? newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate inthe city. 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. Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets dug up to replace water mains has turned the Valley into a dust bowl. Haze engulfs Kathmandu valley as the air pollution increases to unhealthy levels, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. Tags: environment, pollution, Philippines Coronavirus Bulletin Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. 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 is a very great decision taken by the government. 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. The birds identified as having the disease, named . At times, it feels like my eyes are burning, said 34-year-old Sunil. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around 3.5 million. 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. 30 Mar 2021. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. 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. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. Many scientists and environmental specialists all over the world have studied the harmful effect of plastic in detail and all of them are of the same view regarding the degree of harm they represent. 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. 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]. The first step in controlling air pollution is with electric public transport because vehicular emissions make up the majority of pollutants in Kathmandus air, says environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar. 1. To The Editor The . . According to Poudel, the pollution level in the border towns of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can slightly influence pollution along the border area. 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. Globally, air pollution results in around sevenmillion deaths annually. Submissions Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. We chartered a train to Glasgow for COP26 and took 500 people with us. It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. Taking action to tackle the pollution in Nepal Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. An article by three Brazilian researchers published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research aims to contribute to progress in this field by proposing a novel perspective on particle . Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP ). 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. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. The funds are the first . climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted.