Kathmandu battles soaring air pollution, urgent action required

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley continues to grapple with unhealthy air quality, attributed to forest fires across the nation and scant rainfall, resulting in elevated levels of dust particles in the atmosphere.

Presently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates a reading of 152, ranking Kathmandu as the fifth most polluted city globally. Dr. Dharmaraj Upreti, a disaster management expert, acknowledges the government’s sound policies on air pollution control but highlights Kathmandu’s alarming status as a polluted city.

The repercussions of heightened pollution pose significant threats to public health, potentially leading to various diseases.

Dr. Upreti stresses the importance of effectively implementing pollution control policies, taking action against polluters, and bolstering local awareness and enforcement.

The Air Quality Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley outlines measures to avert a disaster, considering AQI values surpassing 300 as critical.

trategies include halting garbage burning, enhancing street cleaning with brooms and vacuums, and issuing public advisories for vulnerable demographics like children, seniors, and patients.

The National Environment Policy 2076 emphasizes establishing and enforcing national standards to mitigate pollution across air, water, soil, sound, electromagnetic waves, radioactive radiation, and hazardous chemical pollutants.

It advocates for quality monitoring centers in major cities and industrial zones, alongside measures for treating industrial wastewater and adopting eco-friendly technologies.

Efforts to reduce indoor air pollution entail promoting solar stoves, electric stoves, biogas, improved stoves, and chimneys, while advocating for energy-efficient building construction.

Environmental activist Varsha Parajuli underscores the importance of vigilant policy implementation to safeguard future generations from a deteriorating environment.

Recognizing citizens’ fundamental right to a clean environment, the constitution underscores the urgency for action.

Nepal’s inclusion among the top five countries with the highest air pollution in the 2018 Environment Performance Index underscores the severity of the issue.

The Environment Department has targeted the valley and established pollution measurement centers at Dhulikhel, Pulchowk, Ratnapark, Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Swayambhu, Sainik Bidhyalaya Bhaktapur.

Arrangements have been made for data to go to the central system and the general public can get information about the pollution situation.