air pollution essay in nepali language

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Essay on environmental pollution in nepali | वातावरण प्रदूषण निबन्ध नेपाली

वातावरण प्रदूषण निबन्ध in nepali (Batabaran pradusan essay in nepali 150 words)

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essay on environmental pollution in 250 words-Nepal-2022

                            ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Environment simply refers to ours surrounding. All the natural and man-made things that we see are the elements of the environment. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. Our environment determines our health and civilization.  

Environmental pollution is one of the greatest threats of the world today. All living being birds, animals, insects, plants and even human beings are victims of pollution. No part of the world now is unaffected by the problem of pollution these days.

Pollution is of different types. They are air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. Pollution causes various kinds of harms. Polluted air causes lung diseases, pain ad asthma. Similarly, when we drink polluted water become ill with diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, etc. Loud noise harms our ear. However, the greatest harm is the depletion of the ozone layer. It causes increase in temperature in the earth, acid rain and drought.

The main reason of pollution is industrialization and population increase. These two bring about environmental change. Many factories have been established to produce goods. These factories and vehicles like bus, truck, car, motorcycle emit huge quantities of smoke into the atmosphere. Similarly, over population causes deforestation. So the ecological balance of nature is disturbed.

Environmental problem has been a major problem in the cities of Nepal. The industries are located in the cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Chitwan. Population density is also high there. We do not have good system for the disposal of garbage. We link our drainage to the nearby rivers. So the people in these places suffer from different communicable diseases.

It is the duty of the government and citizens to take the initiative to make the world a better place. Awareness in people is essential. If human beings as well as other organisms are to survive, the environment must be kept neat and clean.    

AIR POLLUTION

For the well-being of living beings, fresh air is the most important element . Air pollution is the undesirable change in the physical or biotic elements of the environment which may cause adverse effects to the biotic community . Pollutants can be divided into two categories on the basis of their production. They are:

         i.             PRIMARY POLLUTANTS:

                                           They can be defined as the pollutants which are directly emitted to the environment from the source. For example: nitrogen derivatives, oxides, halogens, etc.

       ii.             SECONDARY POLLUTANTS:

                                             They can be defined as the pollutants which are not directly emitted but are formed when primary pollutants chemical react in the atmosphere. For example: ozone, formaldehyde, acetyl nitrate, etc.

Dust particles which are emitted from industries and factories, pollutants from burning coal and improper management of waste products, smoke emitted from vehicles, etc. are the major causes of air pollution.

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

A)     natural resources:.

                                       These sources of air pollution are directly related to the activities of the nature. Examples: volcano eruption, forest fire, dust storms, etc.

b)    ARTIFICIAL RESOURCES:

                                       The sources of air pollution which are not naturally made but caused due to human activities are called artificial sources. Examples: CO, CO 2 , NO, NO 2 , SO 2 , Cl 2 , NH 3 , etc. gases produced by burning fuel, industrialization, over population, deforestation, automobile, nuclear explosions, etc.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution may cause various short and long term effects in the elements of the environment and human health. The effects caused due to air pollution are:

a.     REDUCTION IN VISIBILTY:

                                          When various gases and dust particles mix in the atmosphere, it makes the sky blurry which is often termed as haze. This is the reason why people living in city areas cannot enjoy the clear sky. Due to fog and smog, people cannot see nearby objects clearly which makes it much risky to drive vehicles and fly airplanes due to reduced visibility.

b.     REDUCTION IN SOLAR RADIATION:

                                                      The areas where air pollution is high, solar radiation is absorbed by dust particles and moved to various place. Due to this, the amount of solar radiation required to reach the surface cannot get there and there will be the reduction of solar radiation. On the other hand, the temperature of other areas increases drastically which is harmful to living beings.

c.      GREEN HOUSE EFFECT:

                                      Various greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, Sulphur dioxide, etc. formed due to air pollution act like a blanket in the atmosphere, which traps the radiation and it does not let the heat escape to outer space. This causes rapid increase in the temperature of the earth. This is known as greenhouse effect.

d.     INHIBITION IN BIOLOGICAL GROWTH OF PLANTS:

                                           Sunlight is very important for plants to prepare food through photosynthesis. But increasing air pollution causes reduction in solar radiation due to which plants do not get enough light for their proper growth and development. This causes inhibition in biological growth of plants.

  e.     ADVERSE EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH:

                                                                                     Air pollution has contributed directly to the deteriorating health condition oh humans. Gases like carbon monoxide causes headache, nausea, difficulty in breathing, etc. Nitrogen oxide causes stinging of the eyes, coughing, headache, dry throat, congestion, etc. It may also cause insomnia, laziness, etc.

f.       DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER:

                                                                       The chemicals causing ozone layer depletion are mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide, etc. which are emitted due to air pollution. These compounds decompose in the atmosphere and form nascent hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, etc. which deplete the ozone layer.

g.     ACID RAIN:

                                      The process of deposition of acid gases like Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. from the atmosphere on land in the form of rain is called Acid rain. In the atmosphere these oxides are unable to remain in the gaseous state and hence they react with moisture to form acids which fall into the earth as acid rain. Buildings, mountains, statues, bridges, etc. are corroded by acid rains.

h.     DESTRUCTION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS:

                                                                                                 Over a long period of time, air pollution can damage various monuments and buildings of historical importance permanently lowering their esteem. We can take the example of Taj mahal in India which is being damged due to excessive pollution.

i.        CHANGE IN CLIMATE:

                                                       Air pollution causes dust as well as gases to collect in the atmosphere which increases the temperature in some places and decreases the temperature in other places. Due to this, ice melts and it may cause floods in some regions and drought in others.

MEASURES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION

In order to prevent any further air pollution, the following measures can be implemented:

1.     The emission of air pollutants from industries should be controlled by using electrostatic precipitators of filter.

2.     The industrial areas should be constructed far from human settlements.

3.     Over population should be controlled.

4.     Some cheap fuels with higher Sulphur content should be banned and the use of disuphurized coal should be encouraged.

5.     Roadside plantation of trees should be done along the side of the roads which help to minimize the content of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

6.     Alternate sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, etc. should be used instead of petroleum products.

7.     Various awareness programmes about the effects of air pollution should be conducted.

WATER POLLUTION

 Water in its purest form is colorless and odourless. But due to various human as well as natural activities, many pollutants enter the sources of water and make them polluted. This causes the water to be unsafe for daily usage. Water pollution can be defined as any undesirable changes in physical and biotic element of water. It degrades the quality of water which may cause serious health hazards.

Sources of water pollution.

   Although water pollution is caused by both humans and natural activities, mostly humans are only responsible for this problem. Natural causes may be mixing of dust in sources of water, production of bacteria and harmful germs in water. Thus, the causes of water pollution can be summarized below:

a)           Sewage water:

    The liquid waste discharged from industrial as well as domestic Sources is called sewage. This sewage without any treatment is directly discharged into sources of water like rivers, lakes, etc. This activity has resulted in spread of water borne diseases as well as the depletion of aquatic life.

b)  Contaminated from industries:  

     Along with the production of various useful products from industries, they also produce various chemical, papers and radioactive substances which are directly discharged into the sources of water without any treatment. Thus, the water will neither be capable of holding aquatic life nor will it be fit for human consumption.

c)           Agricultural wastes: 

     Farmers use various poisonous chemicals like DDT, BHC, Aldrin, etc. to kill pests and insects and increase the crop yield. But, sometimes farmers use these fertilizers in excessive amount due to lack of knowledge about their use. During the rainy season or due to human causes, such harmful chemicals mix with sources of water and kill all the aquatic lives in the water. It may also cause harm to humans as well.

d)  Obstruction in flow of water: 

If there is any sort of obstruction in the flow of water, it may cause all the pollutants to get collected in the source of water. This may cause the water to get more polluted which can be a reason for the end of the aquatic life .

e) Oily pollution: 

Oil is an important fuel. But it is one of the major causes of water pollution. Through various means such as leakage in oil tanks, spilling and washing vehicles, etc. oil reaches the water surface and it decreases the oxygenation in water which kills the aquatic life.

f) Radioactive substances:

  Radioactive substances released from mines through various means mix with sources of water. Due to this, it may be Lethal to plants and animals including humans.

Measures to control water pollution

Water pollution can be minimized by the following activities:

1.  Wastes ejected from homes and factories must be recycled by implementing recycling facilities.

2.  Dead bodies of living beings must be properly disposed either by burning or burying.

3.  The surrounding environment of sources of water must be kept clean by planting trees and preserving them.

4.  The use of compost manure should be encouraged during cultivation rather than using pesticides, insecticides and other harmful fertilizers.

5.  Proper drainage system must be built for efficient collection and treatment of wastes.

6. Various legal measures must be implemented for the protection of rivers and   use of safe water .

SOIL POLLUTION

Soil is a vital part for living beings because it provides a habitat to animals, plants, insects, human and basically every living being in the world. Soil provides necessary moisture as well as minerals to support plants life. Plants prevent erosion and many natural disasters. Many insects and microbes live in soil. Therefore, soil is an important element for insects, plants, animals and humans.

The degradation of soil due to the presence of various unwanted chemicals altering the natural state of the soil is called soil pollution . It is harmful to plants as well as any other forms of life. Uneducated farmers use insecticides, pesticides and various fertilizers in excess amount which not only degrades the quality of soil such as soil texture, water holding capacity, porosity, etc. but also minimizes crop yield. This also kills various useful animals living inside the soil. Soil pollution is mostly found in urban and industrialized areas. If land is polluted, to neither plants can develop properly nor is it suitable for animals.

Sources of soil pollution

Land gets polluted because of various reasons. There are various sources of land pollution such as domestic wastes, use of harmful chemicals, industrial wastes, use of fertilizers, acid rain, etc. The wastes emitted from sources are the main pollution of soil. The major reasons for the pollution of land are as follows:

a)     Domestic wastes

Many products, both edible and non- edible, are used in our daily life. Domestic wastes include waste products such as dust, excreta, broken utensils, plastic, contaminated food etc. When these wastes come in contact with land, it may produce many harmful microbes which also supports in the formation of various diseases. If lots of wastes get deposited in a certain place, it may act as a breeding place for various bacteria. Land pollution may also decrease the fertility of soil.

b)      Excessive use of pesticides

Farmer's main job is to cultivate various crops. However, sometimes various insects and pests attack their crops. In order to protect the crops from any damage, many chemical compounds are used. These chemicals protect the crops from harmful insects. But they also pollute the soil. Due to this reason, insecticides, fungicides, weedicides, etc. are considered as  pollutants. The most dangerous substances that cause harm to the soil are DDT, dialdrin, Aldrin, parathion, etc.

                c) Industrial waste

                          Many useful objects are manufactured by industries. However, some other objects which cause pollution are also emitted. The substances which are thrown from factories include chemicals, metals, nonmetals, waste products, living wastes, etc. which cause harm to the natural quality of the soil which pollutes it and degrades the crop yield. It may also adversely harm the living animals in the polluted soil.

        d)         Use of chemical fertilizers

Many fertilizers are used to increase the productivity and fertility of the soil. If it is used in proper amount, it may increase the crop yield. However, excessive use of these fertilizers is the major cause of soil pollution. Fertilizers contain various elements such as Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Calcium (Ca), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb) etc. These elements are responsible for killing various useful living organisms in the soil and also causing imbalance in the nutrients of the soil.

e)                   Municipal Wastes

Municipalities are the major sources of waste products. These waste products most often do not get disposed in the right area due to which the soil gets contaminated. These waters are both organic and inorganic and are responsible for the depletion of fertility of the soil.

f)                    Acid rain

Basically, the presence of any sorts of acid in rain is regarded as acid rain. The major compounds causing acid rain are sulphuric acid (H2S04), nitric acid (HN03), hydrochloric acid (HCI), Carbonic acid (H2C03).

MEASURES TO CONTROL SOIL POLLUTION

1.     The use of harmful chemical fertilizers must be replaced by compost mature in order to maximize the crop yield.

2.     The use of pesticides and insecticides must be minimized and other methods of controlling pests which do not contaminate the soil must be used.

3.     Proper disposal of domestic wastes should be established.

4.     The irrigation of fields using polluted water must be discouraged.

5.     The radioactive substances emitted from factories and laboratories must be appropriately disposed.

6.     Proper drainage system must be built for the disposal human excreta.

7.     Afforestation must be done in order to prevent the soil erosion from natural disasters such as floods, landslides, etc.

8.     The use of materials that do not decay over a certain period of time must be minimized.

9.     Farmers must be trained and educated through various programmes on proper use of fertilizers.

10.        Awareness programmes must be conducted to aware the people about the harmful effects of soil pollution.

11.        Soil conservation methods should be implemented to preserve the soil.

                                             Chemical Pollution

Environmental deterioration due to unscientific and improper use of chemical substances is called chemical pollution.  Our environment is getting increasingly unhygienic and polluted day by day because of this chemical pollution. In general, chemical pollution is excessive in the areas with high population density.

Some causes of chemical pollution are as follows:

1.     Chemical fertilizers:

 Chemical fertilizers and insecticides used by the farmers constitute the major part of chemical pollution. The chemicals contained in fertilizers get dissolved in water and reach rivers, streams and ponds. This process supports the excessive growth of algae and other immaterial grasses. This obviously results   in over-exploitation of oxygen in the water when they decay after their death. It brings a gradual reduction in the number of organisms in the water as they have to undergo oxygen deficiency.

2.     Insecticides:  

The use of insecticides has a negative impact on useful plants and organisms as well. DDT, BHC, methoxychloride, etc. are commonly used insecticides which kill many useful insects and hamper the growth of some plants. This chemical is stored in plants and animals and harms them causing chronic and infectious diseases. Many animals who feed on dead animals (death is caused by insecticides) are badly affected by insecticides.

Dieldrine, aldrin, cobalt, lead, mercury, etc. directly pollute our environment. The use of lead containing petrol is seriously injurious to our health. Scientists are making efforts to produce lead free petrol. The industries established on the bank of rivers, seas and oceans excrete a great amount of mercury that affects fish and other aquatic animals the sea. Many people were killed because of eating the fish containing profuse level of mercury in 1950 in Japan.

3.     Refuses and waste materials :

 Dirt and waste materials are the main causes of environmental pollution. The rapid degradation of our environment is probably owing to improper disposal of dirt and garbage being increasingly collected day to day. The noxious substances in the dirt spread out in the air and water causing rise in atmospheric pollution.

4.     Plastic:  

Plastic is used to make utensils, bags, pipes and many other things. The things made by plastic are not decomposed; it ultimately creates an alarming problem in the environment. This gives off poisonous gas on being burnt. Hence, it is really essential to develop the recycling process of waste plastic in order to save the environment from being polluted.

3.  Smoke from the means of transport and industries :

Greenhouse effect  is on the rise due to the increasing quantity of      carbon dioxide in the air. it has resulted in global temperature increment and dreadful droughts. high temperature accelerates the melting of snow in the polar regions causing the sea surface to rise higher. the lands along the edge of the sea will then come under water. dust and smoke cause chronic lung diseases in animals. moreover, dense smoke has a negative effect on the environment. it causes lung diseases., 4. colours used in foodstuffs :.

 Many people prefer to use different colours in foodstuffs and drinks like tea, coffee, chocolate, etc. to make them attractive to look. This kind of use of colours in food is ruinous to our health. It increases the possibility of death by causing diseases like cancer.

  5. Synthetic clingers:

  control measures of chemical pollution.

l. Rules and regulations are to be made to establish industries, factories and other thermal plants far from residential areas. 

2. Farmers are suggested for the use of organic fertilizers rather than chemical fertilizers.

3. Trainings should be given to farmers for the wise and proper use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides.

 4. The waste water, dyes and other liquids released from industrial areas must be purified before mixing them into water bodies.

 5. Noxious smokes from industries should not be allowed spread in the air.

 6.People must be conscious of the results of using harmful substances in food.

7.Unnecessary use of fertilizers and insecticides should not be done. 

8. Vehicles and industries should be kept in proper conditions.

Pollution control is basically integral to maintain natural balance. Today it is a bounded duty of all of us to protect our environment from being deteriorated. Scientists have been engaged in finding out easier methods of environmental preservation. 

   Management of bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes

Solid waste is considered as any sort of bio-degradable and non-biodegradable garbage such as food wastes, construction debris, plastic, clothes etc . Primarily, the amount of solid waste is increasing day by day in urban areas in an alarming rate. The increase in the amount of domestic as well as industrial wastes due to over population causes environmental imbalance.

The unwanted or unusable wastes from industrial, commercial, agricultural operations and even from community activities are called solid wastes. Some kinds of wastes around us are garbage refuse, plastic, broken metals, glass pieces, clothes, rocks, green wastes, paper, etc. On the basis of the characteristics, solid wastes can be classified into biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid wastes. 

  Biodegradable wastes

The wastes which consist of organic matter and can be decomposed into their simpler components such as carbon dioxide, water, methane and other organic molecules by micro-organisms in a short time period are called biodegradable wastes. Kitchen wastes, dead animals, clothes, paper, human wastes, manures, etc. are the biodegradable wastes.

           Non-biodegradable wastes

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वातावरण प्रदूषण मा निबंध नेपाली (Essay on Environment in Nepali Language)

Essay on Environment in Nepali Language : In this article we are providing  वातावरण प्रदूषण मा निबंध नेपाली for Class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Read here  Vatavaran Pradushan in Nepali Essay for Students.

वातावरण प्रदूषण मा निबंध नेपाली

Essay on environment in nepali language.

वातावरण वातावरण दिवस मनाउन सुरु गरिएको हो । वातावरण सन्तुलनका लागि नेपालले पनि विश्व वातावरण दिवसलाई सन् १९७६ देखि नियमित रूपमा मनाउँदै आएको छ । वातावरण स्वच्छ भएन भने मानिस, अन्य जीवजन्तुहरुलाई समेत बाँच्नको लागि अपठ्यारो हुन्छ । मानिस स्वस्थ छ भने यसले जीवनमा धेरै कामहरु गर्न सकिन्छ। मानिसको 'स्वस्थ्य नै जीवन हो" भन्ने कुरा कदापि बिर्सिनुहुँदैन। वातावरण स्वच्छ हुँदा मात्र मानिस स्वस्थ बन्न सक्दछ भन्ने कुरालाई सबैले आत्मसात गर्नुपर्दछ। 

त्यसैले सबै मिलेर वातावरणको संरक्षण गर्न आजको आवश्यकता हो । मानवले बनाएको टेक्नोलोजी विकासले प्रकृतिको सन्तुलन बिग्रिरहेको छ। सम्पूर्ण प्राणीको सृष्टि प्रकृतिबाटै भएकाले यसलाई संरक्षण गर्नु पर्ने हाम्रो दायित्व रहेको देखिन्छ । प्रकृतिले स्वच्छ वातावारण तयार गरिदिएर सम्पूर्ण प्राणीको जीवनलाई स्वस्थ बनाइदिएको हुन्छ। सृष्टिको सुरुवातदेखि नै मानव अन्य प्राणी र वनस्पतिक बीच घनिष्ठ सम्बन्ध रहीआएको पनि छ। संसारका प्राणीहरुमध्येको विवेकशील प्राणी मानिस नै भएकाले वातावारणलाई जोगाउने दायित्व हामीहरुको हातमा रहेकोछ। 

प्राकृतिक सम्पदाहरलाई जोगाई जोगाउने वातावरण संरक्षण गर्न सबैका निम्ति हितकर हुनेछ । मानवलगायत अन्य प्राणीहरुको जीवन वातारवरणमै निर्भर हुनालेभएकोले वातावरणको संरक्षण गर्नु हामी सबैको दायित्व देखिन्छ । स्वस्थ वातावरणले प्रकृतिलाई सन्तुलनमा राख्नका साथसाथै बढ्दै गएको पोषण मागलाई पूरा गर्दै जान्छ अनि पृथ्वीमा रहेको सबै जीवजन्तुलाई बाँच्नको लागि सहजताको विकास गर्ने गरेको छ । वर्तमान समयमा पृथ्वीमा रहेको केही वनस्पति तथा जीवजन्तुहरू लोप भएका छन् भने केही लोप हुने अवस्थामा पुगेका छ, यो बढ्दो वातावरण विनासको कारणले भएको हो। मानिस प्रकृतिके सृष्टि भएकाले कहिल्यै पनि प्रकृतिबाट टाढा बस्न सक्दैन। प्रकृतिले प्रदान गरेको स्वच्छ वातावरणकै भरमा मानिसको जीवन अडेको छ। मानव आफैले वातावरणलाई प्रदुषित बनाइ आफ्नै जीवनलाई छोट्यइरहेको छ। 

प्रकृतिका विरुद्धमा पनि जान सक्दैन भन्ने कुरा थाहा हुदाँहुदै पनि मानिस प्रकृति माथि गलत कार्यहरु गर्न पछि परेको छैन। मानिसले भौतिक उन्नति गर्ने क्रममा प्राकतिक वातावरणको स्वच्छतामा खलल पुर्याइरहेको देखिन्छ। प्राकृतिक सम्पदाहरुलाई नष्ट गर्ने काम मानिसले मात्र गरेको पाइन्छ । अन्य प्राणीहरु प्राकृतिक सुन्दरतामै हाँस्दैखेल्दै रमाएराहेका हुन्छन। मानिसचाहिँ प्राकृतिक वातावरणलाई आफ्ना आनुकुल बनाउने कोसिस गरिरहेका छन । मानिसका अविवेकी क्रियाकलापहरुले गर्दा प्राकतिक नदि, हावा,रुख, हरियाली आदि कुराहरु विकृति अवस्थामा देखा परिरहेका छन्। उद्योग र कलकारखानाबाट निस्कने फोहोर, धुवा धुलो र दुषित पानीबाट हावा र पानी दुषित हुन् गई वातावरण बिग्रिने हामी सबैलाई थाहै भएकै छ। 

हावापानी दुषित भएपछि मानिसले आफू पूर्ण स्वस्थ भएर बच्ने कल्पना गर्ने ब्यर्थ हुन्छ। बोटबिरुवाहरु बाट निस्कने अक्सिजन प्राप्त गरी बच्ने आधार पाएको मान्छे तिनै बोटबिरुवाहरुलाई काटी देशको विकाश गर्न लागि परेको देखिन्छ । प्रकृतिको नियमलाई मिचेर कहिँ कसैबाट हुनुहुँदैन । प्राकृतिक सुन्दरतालाई नष्ट गरिदिने खालका  विस्फोटक पदार्थहरुको प्रयोग नगर्नु नै राम्रो हन्छ। प्रदुषित वातावरण मानवजतिको सर्वनाशको जड भएकाले वातावारणलाई स्वच्छ राख्ने प्रयास गर्नु सम्भव पनि छ। जीवनको स्वास्थ्यका निम्ति स्वच्छ वातावारण रहेकाले यसको संरक्षण व्यक्ति, समाज र विश्वले नै सचेत बन्नुपर्ने आवश्यकता देखा परेको छ । वातावरणको सिर्जना यस पृथ्वीमा रहेको जीवजगृत र प्राकृतिक सम्पदाहरूको संयोगबाट हुने भए पनि यसको संरक्षणमा मानवजातिको महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका हुन्छ । त्यसैले वातावरण स्वच्छ राख्नु हामी सबैको कर्तव्य हो । औद्योगिक तथा वैज्ञानिक प्रगति, रासायनिक पदार्थको उत्पादन र अव्यवस्थित प्रयोग, प्राकृतिक स्रोत साधनहरूको दुरुपयोगले दिन प्रतिदिन वातावरण असन्तुलित बनाइरहेको छ । यसले गर्दा मानिसको जीवन कष्टकर बन्न पुगेको देखिन्छ । 

मानिसले भौतिक उन्नति गर्ने क्रममा प्राकतिक वातावरणको स्वच्छता माथि खलल पुर्याउने काम गरेको देखिन्छ ।वातावरण प्रदुषणका कारणहरू अनियन्त्रित जनसंख्या वृद्धि, प्राकृतिक सम्पदाको अधिक प्रयोग, वनजंगलको तीव्र वृद्धि, जनचेतनाको अभाव, वातावरण संरक्षणको लागि राष्ट्रिय र अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समन्वयको कमी, आदि हुन्। विश्वबाट निस्कने ३० प्रतिशत फोहोर मैलाको कुनै प्रकारको व्यवस्थापन नभएको देखिन्छ भने विकासोन्मुख देश नेपालको अवस्था झने विकराल रहेको छ । यसरी बढ्दै गएको समस्या र चुनौतीलाई समाधान गर्न वातावरण संरक्षणको महत्व सबैले बुझ्न जरुरी छ । वातावरणीय पक्षहरूलाई संरक्षित गर्दै विकासको गतिलाई एकीकृत तथा समान रूपमा अगाडि बढाउनु नै। वातावरण व्यवस्थापन हो ।वातावरण व्यवस्थापन भित्र प्राकृतिक स्रोत साधनको उपयोग, वातावरण संरक्षण, प्रदुषण र फोहोरमैला व्यवस्थापन, जैविकविविधता संरक्षण, भूमि तथा वनको दिगो प्रयोग लगायत सम्पूर्ण विधि र पक्रिया समेटिएको पाइन्छ । वातावरण व्यवस्थापनको महत्व मानिस र वातावरणबीच अन्योन्याश्रित सम्बन्ध छ । एकातर्फ मानिसलाई अत्यावश्यक आधारभूत आवश्यकताहरू वातावरणबाट उपलब्ध हुन्छन् भने अर्कोतर्फ मानिसको प्रकृतिमाथिको अतिक्रमणले वातावरण विभिन्न समस्याहरू सिर्जना गरिहेको छ ।पृथ्वीमा जीवनको अस्तित्वमा वातावरणले महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निर्वाह गर्दछ । पृथ्वी विभिन्न जीवित प्रजातिको घर हो र हामी सबै खाद्य, हावा, पानी र अन्य आवश्यकताहरूको लागि वातावरणमा निर्भर छौं त्यसैले वातावरणको संरक्षण गर्नु आजको आवश्यकता देखिन्छ ।

वातावरणको अर्थ सबै प्राकृतिक परिवेश जस्तै भूमि, हावा, पानी, बिरुवा, पशु, ठोस सामग्री, अपशिष्ट, सूर्यलाइट, जंगल र अन्य चीजहरू हो । स्वस्थ वातावरणले प्रकृतिको सन्तुलनको साथसाथै साथमा बढ्दै पोषण र पृथ्वीमा रहेका सबै जीवित चीजहरू विकास गर्न मद्दत गर्दछ। तथापि, आज एक दिन, वातावरण बिग्रेको केही मानवले बनाएको  टेक्नोलोजी विकासले धेरै तरिकामा प्रकृतिको सन्तुलन बिग्रेको छ। सम्पूर्ण प्राणीको सृष्टि प्रकृतिबाटै भएकाले वातावारणलाई प्राकृतिक परिवेशले उचित वातावरण प्रदान गरिदिएको हुन्छ। प्रकृतिले स्वच्छ वातावारण तयार गरिदिएर सम्पूर्ण प्राणीको जीवनलाई स्वस्थ बनाइदिएको हुन्छ। सृष्टिको सुरुवातदेखि नै मानव अन्य प्राणी र वनस्पतिक बीच गानिष्ठ सम्बन्ध रहीआएको पनि छ।संसारका प्राणीहरुमध्येको विवेकशील प्राणी मानिस नै भएकाले वातावारणलाई जोगाउने दायित्व उसकै हातमा छ। प्राकृतिक सम्पदाहरलाई जोगाई जोगाउने वातावारण संरक्षण गर्नु सबैका निम्ति हितकर छ। मानवलगायत अन्य प्राणीहरुको जीवन वातारवरणमै भरपर्ने हुनाले वातावारंको संरक्षण गर्नु अत्यावश्यक छ।

मानिस प्रकृतिकै  सृष्टि भएकाले उ कहिल्यै पनि प्रकृतिबाट लता रहेर बस्न सक्दैन। प्रकृतिले प्रदान गरेको स्वच्छ वातावरणकै  भरमा मानिसको जीवन अडेको छ; तर उ आफैले वातावरणलाई प्रदुषित तुल्याई आफ्नै जीवनलाई छोट्यइरहेको छ।प्रकृतिका विरुद्धमा कोही पनि जान सक्दैन भन्ने कुरा थाहा हुदाँहुदैँ पनि मानिस प्रकृतिमाथि विजय प्राप्त गर्ने नाममा गलत कार्यहरु गर्न पछि परेको छैन्। मानिसले भौतिक उन्नति गर्ने क्रममा प्राकृतिक वातावरणको स्वच्छतामा खलल पुर्याइरहेको देखिन्छ। प्राकृतिक सम्पदाहरुलाई नष्ट गर्ने काम मानिसले मात्र गरेको पाइन्छ।अन्य प्राणीहरु त् प्राकृतिक सुन्दरतामै हाँस्दै-खेल्दै रमाएराहेका हन्छन।मानिसचाहिँ प्राकृतिक वातावरणलाई आफ्ना आनुकुल बनाउने कोसिस गर्दछ अनि आफ्नो कोसिस असफल हुँदा क्रोधत् बन्दै प्रकृतिकै विनाश गर्न अग्रसर हुन्छ। मानिसका अविवेकी क्रियाकलापहरुले गर्दा प्राकृतिक नदि, हावा, रुख, हरियाली आदि कुराहरु विकृति अवस्थामा देखा परिरहेका छन्। उद्योग र कलकारखानाबाट निस्कने फोहोर धुवा र दुषित पानीबाट हावा र पानी दुषित हुन् गई वातावरण बिग्रिने कुरा हामीलाई थाहै छ। हावापानी दुषित भएपछि मानिसले आफू पूर्ण स्वस्थ बनेर बच्ने कल्पना गर्ने ब्यर्थ हुन्छ।बोटबिरुवाहरुलाई अक्सिजन प्राप्त गरी बच्ने आधार पाएको मान्छे तिनै बोटबिरुवाहरुलाई काट्न कोसिन्छ।

वातावरण स्वच्छ नभएमा मानिस आपंग नै बन्न पुग्दछ। आपंगा भएर बच्नु ज्यादै गार्हो हुन्छ।मानिस स्वस्थ छ भने यसले जीवनमा धेरै कामहरु गर्न सक्दछ। मानिस 'स्वस्थ्य नै जीवन हो'' भन्ने कुरा कदापि बिर्सिनुहुँदैन। वातावरण स्वच्छ हुदा मात्र मानिस स्वस्थ बन्न सक्दछ भन्ने कुरालाई सबैले आत्मसात गर्नुपर्दछ/ त्यसैले सबै मिलेर वातावरणको संरक्षण गर्न आजको आवश्यकता नै हो। यसको संरक्षणक लागि कारवा गर्न कसैले पनि कन्जुस्याइँ गर्नुहुदैन. जुन कम गर्दा वातावरणमा नराम्रो असर पर्छ, त्यस्ता कामहरु बिर्सेर पनि गर्नुहुँदैन।

प्रकृतिको नियमलाई मिच्ने काम कहिँबाट र कसैबाट हुनुहुँदैन। एकै पलमा प्राकृतिक सुन्दरताले नष्ट गरिदिने खालका  विस्फोटक पदार्थहरुको  प्रयोग नगर्नु नै राम्रो  हो। प्रदुषित वातावरण मानवजतिको सर्वनाशको जड भएकाले वातावारणलाई स्वच्छ राख्ने प्रयास गर्नु सम्भव पनि छ। जीवनको स्वस्थताक निम्ति स्वच्छ वातावारण रहेकाले यसको संरक्षण व्यक्ति, समाज र विश्वले नै सचेत बन्नुपर्ने आवश्यकता टड्कारो देखा पर्छ।

Author: Admin

Etiam at libero iaculis, mollis justo non, blandit augue. Vestibulum sit amet sodales est, a lacinia ex. Suspendisse vel enim sagittis, volutpat sem eget, condimentum sem.

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Charting the course for clean air in Nepal

Faris hadad-zervos, dina umali-deininger.

Kathmandu was ranked the most polluted city in the world for several days in April 2023  . On eight separate days of the month, daily average pollution levels of PM2.5 – a particularly hazardous form of air pollution – exceeded 100 µg/m3 – more than 6.5 times the World Health Organization’s 24-hour average guideline recommendation.

Smoke from forest fires across the country, which rose by 76.5 percent as compared to the previous year – combined with transboundary smog and local emissions (from motor vehicles, cook stoves, industries, and waste burning) —choked Kathmandu and several parts of the country including the Terai region. 

Air pollution is a public health crisis across Kathmandu Valley and the Terai region, reducing the average life expectancy in Nepal by more than five years  and causing significant cardiovascular and lung diseases. Such health effects are also reducing people’s productivity and degrading their quality of life with tangible economic consequences .

The estimated negative welfare effects from air pollution in Nepal amount to the equivalent of more than six percent of the national GDP.  

In 2021, Nepal adopted the Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) approach . As a next step, the country is currently working on developing the GRID Strategic Action Plan; and air pollution is a top priority in this action plan.

The Government of Nepal’s ambitious climate commitments at COP26—to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 and increase the share of clean energy in the country's energy demand to 15 percent—are both an imperative and an opportunity to beat air pollution in Nepal.

Key to addressing air pollution effectively is tackling the varied sources and the different origins, including in other countries. 

Key to addressing air pollution effectively is tackling the varied sources and the different origins, including in other countries.

Finding Synergies 

In addressing the main sources of air pollution, Nepal can find solutions that effectively tackle multiple sources together such as forest fires and brick kilns  . In creating a market for woody residues, which are the main input for the fledgling wood pellet industry in the country, one not only reduces the likelihood of forest fires (by removing the forest underbrush for use in pellets), but also creates a market and replacement for burning coal in brick kilns.

Adopting a minimum coal price would be an important incentive for switching to pellet burning. Such a policy, as well as minimum non-coal fuel requirements for brick kilns, are currently being worked out in Nepal, and the World Bank is supporting the technical assessments to examine practical options for implementing such a policy. 

Other key sources of air pollution in Nepal are the use of wood, dung, and agricultural waste as fuel for residential cooking and urban mobility, which can be tackled through the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices. The World Bank is supporting the adoption of cleaner technologies such as electric vehicles and electric cookstoves as part of the first GRID Development Policy Credit operation . 

Working Beyond Borders 

Clean air is a classic regional public goods case, owing to transboundary airflows, and requires the collective action by the countries , cities, and municipalities sharing the same airshed. The World Bank has a unique comparative advantage and role to play in addressing regional and global public goods challenges, as was emphasized recently in the Evolution Roadmap .

Nepal is not alone in suffering from air pollution and, indeed, some of the air pollution that plagues Kathmandu originates from other nearby countries, just as Nepal’s emissions contribute to air pollution further downwind. Both regional and subnational cooperation is critical to curbing air pollution.  

As the recent World Bank report Striving for Clean Air – Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia suggests, the solutions to air pollution challenges in the region require that we prioritize effective measures to achieve air quality benefits across the entire airshed  .

Recent efforts by Nepal and neighboring countries bode well for regional coordination on effective policies. For example, the recently signed Kathmandu Roadmap demonstrates a clear demand for a regional platform to assess policies that paves the way for coordinated air quality planning and sharing of implementation experiences.

The recently signed Kathmandu Roadmap demonstrates a clear demand for a regional platform to assess policies that paves the way for coordinated air quality planning and sharing of implementation experiences.

However, successful responses require more than just coordination and information sharing. Four areas all the governments in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills, including Nepal, need to focus on to curb air pollution are:

• Incentives – Businesses will tend toward least-cost solutions, but if negative environmental impacts are not priced into that cost, then wrong signals and perverse incentives can result in poor outcomes. Price signals can be set to incentivize clean technologies (for example, paying farmers and foresters to collect biomass for making pellets instead of burning it) while discouraging polluting ones (e.g., pricing coal to reflect its carbon content).
• Information – Collecting and publicly disseminating data on pollution levels and building greater awareness of its impact on public health, economy, and the environment. Better information creates the enabling conditions for evidence based public policies that ensure regulations are fit for purpose.  
• Institutions – Air quality management planning is a complex, multi-sectoral process that requires long-term, sustained efforts by several ministries and agencies to collect and analyze data and work with stakeholders to identify and implement collective solutions that address concerns and achieve results. Along with clarifying roles and responsibilities, capacity building within government is needed as well as stronger partnerships with the private sector.
• Investments – Access to finance for adopting innovative clean technology is critical. Private sector finance is essential to get to scale. Concessional financing in turn has an important role to play in de-risking private sector investments in innovative clean technologies.

Nepal is working hard with its neighbors to achieve solutions that align with these four principles so that livelihoods can be improved, quality of life enhanced, and public health preserved. The World Bank is committed to supporting Nepal and other countries in the South Asia region to make sure that the conditions for success are met.   

• Environment

World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka

Regional Director, South Asia Sustainable Development, World Bank Group

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Epicentre of pollution

The deadly flood season is coming to a close, and soon Nepalis will be exposed to the season of lethal air pollution. Their government has done precious little to protect them from both calamities. 

Air pollution kills more people than just about every other natural and human-made calamity afflicting Nepalis. Toxic air cuts 4.6 years off the average Nepali’s lifespan, the figure is higher for people in the Tarai who live nearly 7 years less because of transboundary pollution. 

In comparison, tobacco use reduces life expectancy by 2.8 years and high blood pressure by 1.7 years. Furthermore, all of Nepal’s 30 million people live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds the WHO guideline of 5µg/m3. From 1998 to 2021, the average annual particulate pollution in Nepal increased by 75.2%.

These and even more alarming statistics are highlighted in the latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) issued this week by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago.

The study shows that hazardous levels of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) in the air has overtaken malaria, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, unsafe drinking water, road traffic accidents and alcohol use to emerge as the biggest public health threat of the 21st century worldwide. 

Read also: Cleaner Air = Longer Lives , Nepali Times

“Bad air is getting worse, I’m not really surprised. The AQLI report reinforces what we already knew,” says environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar. “But the Tarai has gotten progressively worse both because of its own local emissions from industries, garbage and open burning as well as due to cross-border pollution from India.”

More specifically, the national annual average for PM2.5 has hovered around 50µg/m3 since 2018. In Kathmandu, the annual average has fluctuated in the vicinity of 35-50µg/m3, explains Christa Hasenkopf, the director of AQLI and air quality programs at EPIC. These figures are several times higher than WHO recommendations

Inversely, if Nepal were to clean up its dirty air, people in the mid and eastern Tarai region where 53% of the country's population lives would gain 6.5 years of life expectancy. Similarly, Kathmandu residents would live 3.5 years longer.

Madhes Province is the most polluted followed by Lumbini, while Karnali and Gandaki have the clearest air. The report reveals that PM2.5 is the biggest threat to life expectancy in Nepal ahead of cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory illnesses, tobacco consumption and blood pressure.

Vehicular emission, soot particles from brick kilns, open burning of trash as well as industries are the biggest contributors to air pollution in Nepal.

Read also: Breathing can kill you , Sonia Awale

The AQLI report calls South Asia the global epicentre for pollution, home to the world’s four most polluted countries and nearly a quarter of the global population. The region also accounts for 52.8% of the total life years lost globally due to high pollution, residents in the region are expected to lose about 5 years of life expectancy on average.

“Pollution in South Asia has been increasing over the past two decades, with PM2.5 annual average concentrations 1.5 times that of those at the turn of the century,” confirms Hasenkopf, one of the two authors of the report.

She adds: “While our study isn't equipped to precisely identify sources, generally speaking, the rising levels are likely due to a combination of economic development, population increase, and stubble burning across some parts of South Asia.”

But this shared problem of air pollution in the region should be an opportunity to collaborate instead of blaming each other, says Bhushan Tuladhar. “The emission sources are the same in South Asia, our economies are similar for the most part, we need to learn from each other, and bring our governments together to resolve the problem.” 

Read also: How weather elevates air pollution in Kathmandu , Jagdishwor Karmacharya and Shanti Kandel

Within Nepal, electrification of transport and cooking are low-hanging fruit to reduce air pollution. Nepal now has surplus power generation at nearly 3,000MW with an additional 3,300MW under construction. Reducing petroleum imports by just 10% will save Nepal at least Rs30 billion a year. An electric transition will reduce the trade deficit with India.

“The government needs to do three things immediately to hit the ground running: subsidise big buses to reduce financial risks for private operators, build charging infrastructure on a large scale and overhaul the whole public transport sector,” says Tuladhar.

Combating air pollution requires the government and private sector to invest in renewable and clean energy. Access to open air quality data can be the backbone of civil society and government clean air efforts, says AQLI’s Hasenkopf. 

Read also: Why is the air in Bhaktapur so bad? , Sushila Budathoki

This data is not just conveyed as an air quality index appearing on a website, but rather information provided in a programmatic way, like an Application Programming Interface.

“Data on its own is not sufficient for creating change, but it is one of the basic building blocks necessary to allow change,” Hasenkopf adds. “Timely, publicly accessible fully open air quality data produced by governments, in particular, is essential for transparently gauging effectiveness of air quality policies, fostering public accountability, and building awareness and solutions that sustain social will on the issue.”

In the meantime, China has proven that the energy transition can be achieved together with economic growth as long as there is political will. China is driving down wind and solar costs and creating economic opportunities in green manufacturing. Renewable sources now make up nearly 51% of China’s generation capacity. 

Read also: Solution to pollution , Pallavi Pant and Anobha Gurung

EV or not EV

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is on 7 September, and it is well timed for the start of the season of dirty air in Kathmandu and the region. 

Vehicular pollution, soot particles from brick kilns as well as emission from garbage burning turns Kathmandu into an uninhabitable bowl of dust and smoke every winter. Some brick kilns are using biomass pellets instead of coal. People are starting to use compressed hollow bricks instead of the polluting variants. These newer technologies need to be upscaled.

Garbage burning is a major polluter, and local governments must crackdown on this with hefty fines. Emission checks can penalise polluting vehicles. Battery powered private and public transport need a boost. 

As a part of the International Day of Clean Air, Nepal International EV Expo is opening from 1-3 September in Bhrikuti Mandap which will primarily feature start-ups and entrepreneurs working to promote electric two-wheelers in Nepal.

There will also be panel discussions on public vehicles and charging infrastructure, battery-operated two-wheelers and on the transport sector: plans and policies moving forward.

“Our main target is the youth. We want to connect them to  entrepreneurs and the policy-makers,” says environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar.

Read also: Cleaner air with greener buses , Bhushan Tuladhar

Over the last five years, successive governments have flip-flopped tax rates on battery-powered vehicles and it is confusing to figure out the rebate formula. The latest decision to increase tax on cheaper EVs and battery powered buses does not correspond to the government pledge to increase private electric vehicles to 25% by 2025 and 90% by 2030. 

The target is to make 20% of all public transport electric by 2025 and 60% by 2030. But there is no way that will be met with current policies.

“Even so, Nepal is doing well in terms of larger electric private cars but taxing entry-level four-wheelers higher is discouraging many,” adds Tuladhar. “But two-wheelers make up 79% of all our registered vehicles, and that is where most of our effort should be.”

Popular two-wheeler brands in Nepal such as Honda, Bajaj and Yamaha however are not yet importing electric variants. Newer brands do not aspire as much confidence in first-time buyers.

What can drive the market is public procurement of electric two-wheelers. Institutional procurement for delivery services, banks, among others can also help.

It is, however, electric public transport that needs the biggest boost. Big buses carry the most people, reduce traffic and emissions but they are also very expensive, many times over their diesel counterparts. In India by contrast, the government provides the private sector with subsidies to operationalise them.\

“The government has to help with the capital cost of these big buses, and provide some kind of incentive. But equally important is charging infrastructure for public buses,” adds Tuladhar. “But most of all, we need to overhaul the mess that is the mismanagement of our public transport system.”

Read also: The road to electric transportation in Nepal , Diya Rijal

Sonia Awale

Sonia Awale is Executive Editor of Nepali Times where she also serves as the health, science and environment correspondent. She has extensively covered the climate crisis, disaster preparedness, development and public health -- looking at their political and economic interlinkages. Sonia is a graduate of public health, and has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Hong Kong.

• air pollution
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Jim Simons' gift to Nepal

Patan for beginners, in transit to the golden land, kah phu che.

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In the News

July 16, 2022

Air pollution shortens average Nepali’s life by 4.1 years: report

The annual update of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released in June revealed that the current air pollution level in Nepal shortens the life of an average Nepali by 4.1 years.

The release of the update, which is an initiative of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, written by Michael Greenstone, Christa Hasenkopf and Ken Lee, also listed Nepal as the third most polluted country in the world, following Bangladesh, the most polluted, and India, the second most polluted countries in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, the most health-relevant air pollutants are particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 10 micron or less, which can penetrate deep inside the lungs and induce a reaction of the surface and defence cells. 

Continue reading at The Himalayan Times..

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Featured analysis and news, aqli top charts 2023, new aqli leadership underscores mission to strengthen data-driven air quality policy, christa hasenkopf on air quality data gaps.

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The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal

Bhuvan saud.

Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Janamaitri Foundation Institute of Health Sciences (JFIHS), GPO Box 8322, Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal

Govinda Paudel

Air pollution has been a major problem of 21st century for both developed and developing world. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbanization and various infrastructure development projects. As a result, these sorts of human activities have been responsible for increasing air pollution in an enormous rate inside Kathmandu Valley. Chronic exposure of deteriorated air increases the chance of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) like lung disease, heart disease, and cancers. Short term exposures also invite respiratory diseases and allergy. This review is an attempt to summarize the updated knowledge on the threat of air pollution on public health and discuss the sources of air pollutants in Kathmandu. We reviewed the literatures that were published in PMC, MEDLINE, life science journals, and organization official websites and finally came up with the findings and their interpretation that reveal the current scenario in the context of Kathmandu's air quality status and its impact on human health. The knowledge about the invisible killer's role in causing acute and chronic diseases may help in finding out the answer of the question regarding its effect and prevention.

1. Introduction

Kathmandu Valley, well known as city of temples, has now transformed itself into city of pollution. The city of temples is now clad in dust and smoke. The pristine blue hills and the crisp blue sky that covered the valley just about two decades ago now appear gray and hazy due to the stagnant smog that hovers over them. Kathmandu has a population density of 13,225 per km 2 [ 1 ] as of data recorded by Central Bureau of Statistics in 2011, with population growth rate of 4.78% [ 2 ]. Such a high population in the valley is due to its being the capital city and people from all over the country throng to the city in pursuit of better life and opportunities. The valley is surrounded by high mountains ranging from 2000 to 2800 metres from sea level [ 3 ]. Due to this, the valley has a unique bowl-shaped topographic structure which restricts the movement of wind thereby retaining the pollutants in the air [ 4 – 6 ]. This makes the valley particularly vulnerable to air pollution.

World Health Organization (WHO) defines air pollution as contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Common sources of air pollution are household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires [ 7 ]. Air pollution is a complex mixture of thousands of components, majority of which include airborne Particulate Matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants like ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (like benzene), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), etc. [ 8 , 9 ]. A variety of respiratory and other diseases, which can also be fatal, are caused by outdoor and indoor air pollution [ 7 ]. Particulate Matter (PM 10) is that suspended particle that is about 10 µ m in diameter and mainly arises from the poor quality roads, construction sites, and farms and is responsible for causing irritation in eyes, nose, and acute respiratory infections [ 10 ]. High rate of PM10 associated mortality and respiratory illness are found in children and adults [ 11 ]. On the other hand PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 µ m in diameter) penetrate deep into the lung, irritate and corrode the alveolar wall, consequently impair lung function [ 12 ], and even penetrate the blood [ 7 ]. It has been shown that PM2.5 is a public health concern whose exposure leads to decreased life expectancy [ 13 – 16 ]. The high concentration of CO forms carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and exacerbates heart attack and also affects nervous system, NO2 causes bronchitis and bronchopneumonia, and SO2 causes eye irritation, shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis, asthma, various heart diseases, lung disease, cancer [ 11 ], and conjunctivitis [ 17 ]. O3 is associated with stimulation of transcription factors and increased expression of cytokine and adhesion molecules which lead to the development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases [ 18 – 20 ]. Air pollution's association with autoimmune diseases has been published [ 21 , 22 ]. Air pollution has been emerging as a major threat to the whole ecosystem.

Geographically, Nepal is a small landlocked country sandwiched between two giant countries India and China. Though these two countries have been emerging as supreme economic powers, they still struggle in managing their environmental air quality. Studies have shown that major cities of India like Delhi, Raipur, Gwalior, and Lucknow are listed among the world's top 10 polluted cities and altogether 37 Indian cities feature in a list of 100 most polluted cities globally, with highest PM10 [ 25 ]. Delhi the capital of India is classed as the world's most polluted capital city with air pollution parameters 30 times higher than WHO's recommended upper limit [ 26 ]. China a rapidly developing country equally suffers from air pollution. Rapid industrialization and high energy consumption have been the major reasons of air pollution in China. Cities such as Jingjinji, Beijing, Tianjin, and Chongjin and northwest part are the places that are highly polluted [ 27 ]. PM2.5 is considered the main pollutant of atmospheric pollution in China [ 28 ]. It was found that average PM2.5 concentration among 210 cities in China is approximately more than 8 times higher than WHO recommended level [ 29 ]. In Nepal, along with the rapid and uncontrolled urbanization and haphazard developmental projects, people are being victimized with serious airborne diseases. Though few studies and publications have been done regarding air pollution in Kathmandu, the city has now been regarded as severely polluted place [ 30 ]. This article hence emphasizes highlighting the effects, sources, status, and threats of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley.

A variety of factors are responsible for deteriorating the quality of air. Nepal is a rapidly urbanizing country. A data of 2014 shows 4.6 million of Nepalese live in urban areas [ 31 ]. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33 , 34 ]. Kathmandu Valley has seen a rapid increase in vehicle numbers in the last 15 years. Data have shown that in 2000/1, number of registered vehicles was 24,003 and by 2015/16 it has increased to 7, 79,822. This shows an increment by more than 32 times in the last one and a half decade. The graph shown in Figure 1 illustrates the vehicles registered on different categories among which private vehicles like motorcycles and cars top the list, respectively. The trend of purchasing new vehicle is also seen to be increasing as the year 2015/16 sees the largest number of registered vehicles [ 23 ]. Private vehicles are increasing in comparison to public transport vehicle. Due to lack of an efficient public transport system, many residents have chosen to buy private vehicle. Emissions from vehicles are particularly toxic as diesel powered vehicles, which are considered deadly pollutant and carcinogen, are more numerous than the petrol powered ones. This fact agrees with the report of WHO where it has stated that low and middle income countries suffer superfluously from transport generated pollution due to old and inefficient diesel powered vehicles [ 35 ]. Besides vehicles, haphazard digging of road for currently ongoing Melamchi water project, brick kilns, unplanned expansion of roads, ill-managed dumping of building materials on the busy road sides, and the old engine vehicles that race incessantly on the pothole laden roads are adding insult to injury.

Registration of vehicles in Bagmati Zone 2001 to 2016 [ 23 ].

In 2016, Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of Nepal's air quality ranked 177th out of 180 countries [ 36 ] and, in Asia, Kathmandu is ranked one of the most polluted cities [ 4 ]. According to a report of World Health Organization (WHO), the maximum status of fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in urban areas of Nepal was noted to be 140 µ g/m 3 [ 37 ] which is 10 times higher than the desirable value. Ministry of Science and Technology, in 2012, had published a guideline on “National Ambient Air Quality.” The values set on these parameters were still higher than those set by WHO [ 38 ]. The targeted PM10 and PM2.5 values were 120 µ g/m 3 and 40 µ g/m 3 , respectively, which were approximately two times higher than the WHO targeted value. The Department of Environment is planning to establish air quality monitoring stations throughout the country. As of today, it is limited in nine places, 3 stations inside Kathmandu Valley and 6 stations outside the valley [ 39 ]. According to Department of Environment, in 2017, 24-hour average of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) in a site in Kathmandu was 4,749 µ g/m 3 , average PM10 was 2,928 µ g/m 3 , and PM 2.5 was 226 µ g/m 3 [ 40 ].To find out seasonal variation of air pollution, a study conducted in Kathmandu Valley measured NO2, CO, and PM 2.5 concentration on daily basis in all the four seasons of a year. The maximum level of each of these parameters was seen during winter and spring seasons as shown in Figure 2 [ 24 ].

Outdoor air pollution in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, 2015 [ 24 ].

4. Impact on Human Health

Till date, majority of studies on impacts of air pollution on human health have been done in North America and Europe. Only few studies on this regard have been done in region like Nepal. It has been found that, with high level of air pollution exposure, Nepal, especially Kathmandu, is suffering from a potentially serious human health burden from air pollution [ 30 ]. Air pollution has long been regarded as a silent killer responsible for causing a variety of chronic and infectious diseases. Globally, unhealthy environment causes a total of 12.6 million deaths [ 41 ] and air pollution is solely responsible for 7 million deaths annually [ 42 ]. Every year air pollution is linked with around 6.5 million premature deaths globally, of which household air pollution causes 3.5 million and ambient air pollution causes 3 million deaths and the future scenario by the 2040 is assumed to increase up to 7.5 million premature deaths per year [ 43 ]. PM2·5 caused an estimated 7·6% of total global mortality in 2015 and was the fifth-ranking global mortality risk factor. Although global rates of mortality due to PM2·5 exposure decreased from 1990 to 2015 as a result of improved air quality in high-income countries [ 44 ], in Nepal's case the impact on human health is equally severe. By 2030 annual premature deaths in Nepal, due to outdoor air pollution, are expected to be 24,000 [ 45 ].

In Nepal, the commonest diseases like respiratory illness, allergy, and eye infection and chronic diseases like lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), and stroke are present in an alarming rate. Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) have been the major cause of human death accounting for 60% of deaths. Of NCDs cardiovascular diseases have caused a maximum death of 22% followed by chronic respiratory diseases 13%, cancer 8%, and other NCDs 14%. Premature (between ages of 30 and 70 years) mortality due to NCDs is 22% [ 31 ]. Data of Global Health Observatory (GHO) for mortality from ambient air pollution in Nepal in 2012 shows a threatening rate of 9,944 deaths of which Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) caused the highest death rate of 33.4% followed by stroke 32%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 17.8%, lung cancer 9.3%, and Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (ALRTI) 7.4%. The number of female deaths was higher than that of male deaths in each disease [ 37 ]. Data of Department of Health (DoH) services in Nepal shows that, in 2013-2014, COPD was the most common cause of mortality among inpatients and respiratory tract diseases were the most common reason for outpatients' consultations with both upper and lower respiratory tract infections being within the top four [ 46 ].

In a hospital based study, NCD prevalence was 31% out of which COPD was 43%, cardiovascular disease was 40%, and cancer was 5% [ 47 ]. A study done in hospitalized patients of various hospitals of Kathmandu Valley shows a high prevalence of respiratory diseases. Among the diseases, COPD was the most prevalent one with a significant proportion of other diseases too as shown in Figure 3 . Gender-wise distribution showed that of total inpatients 51.3% were male and 48.7% were female. District-wise distribution showed that highest number of patients came from Kathmandu 44.4% followed by Lalitpur 10.3% and Bhaktpur 10.2%. Overall morbidity was 44.4% and the highest morbidity rate was seen in COPD cases as shown in Figure 3 [ 24 ]. A hospital based study outside Kathmandu Valley in Chitwan showed that 48.4% of COPD patients had a history of the disease since more than 5 years [ 48 ]. A study in 2017 has shown that 2.7–3.4 million preterm births might be associated with PM2.5 exposure in 2010 globally [ 49 ]. Nepal also has a significant number of preterm births of 14% [ 50 ]. No clear cut reasons have been found for this high preterm birth, but air pollution can arguably have an important impact on this. Air pollution is rising as an occupational hazard in Nepal, both in Kathmandu and in other cities like Pokhara, especially in traffic police who are being continuously exposed to dusty roads [ 51 , 52 ]. Due to this pulmonary functions have been significantly worsened in the traffic police working in Kathmandu [ 53 ]. Airborne occupational hazards are equally present in brick kiln workers and grocery workers in Kathmandu, whose health has been seriously hampered and needs quick action for protection [ 54 , 55 ]. According to World Bank, air pollution stands as fourth major factor for causing death worldwide leaving metabolic risks, dietary risks, and tobacco smoking behind. Globally, 1 in 10 deaths is understood to be caused by air pollution [ 56 ]. Hazards due to air pollution have been a great economic burden too. A data on impact of air pollution on human health shows a global loss of $225 billion annually of which South Asia has been the most severely affected region suffering a loss of more than $66 billion alone annually, which is approximately 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [ 57 ].

Disease-wise distribution of hospitalized patient in Kathmandu Valley [ 24 ].

5. Legislatives and Future Action Plans

Despite the current scenario, it is unjust to mention that Nepal government has not given a thought on this issue; the outcomes though are quite futile. It is found that Nepal government has included environment quality in its plan and strategy and formulated national policies and legislations on this regard beginning from the middle of the 1990s. The important national plans and legislations of Nepal government on environmental issue can be listed as follows [ 40 ]:

• Environmental policy and legislative framework: Environmental Act 1996 and Regulation 1997, National Climate Change Policy 2011, National Low Carbon Economic Development Strategy (still in draft), and National Pollution Control Strategy and Action Plan (still in draft)
• Transport Sector Policies and Legislations: National Transport Policy 2001, Transport Management Act 2049 (Nepalese calendar year), Vehicles and Transport Management Rules 2054 (Nepalese calendar year), and National Sustainable Transport Strategy (NSTS) (2015-2040) (still in draft)
• Industry Sector Policies and legislations: Industrial Policy 2011, Foreign Direct Investment Policy 2015, and Industrial Enterprises Act 2073 (Nepalese calendar year)
• Energy Sector Policies and Legislations: Hydropower Development Policy 2001, Rural Energy Policy 2006, and Renewable Energy Subsidy Policy 2016.

Besides formulating the abovementioned policies and legislatives, Nepal Government has also formed various committees to deal with the air pollution problem, as mentioned below:

• Task Force on Air Pollution Control in Kathmandu Valley, 2073 (Nepalese calendar year)
• High Level Committee on Probing and Solving the Issues on 20 year Old Vehicles, 2058 (Nepalese calendar year)
• Committee on Implementation of the Order of Supreme Court on Phase out of 20 Year Old Vehicles, 2058/59 (Nepalese calendar year)
• Committee on Review of Vehicle Emission Standard and Monitoring Mechanism 2060. (Nepalese calendar year)
• Technical Committee on the Relocation of Brick Industries from Kathmandu Valley 2060 (Nepalese calendar year).

Nepal government claims to be seeking to make use of a rich Air Quality Management portfolio created by big cities of developed and developing countries, for implementing and executing successful programs while avoiding many of the recognized pitfalls. Some of the future prospects include the following:

• Strategies on Ambient Urban Air Quality Management: with the vision that all the citizen living or visiting urban cities of Nepal breathe clean air
• Action Program on Ambient Air Quality Management of Kathmandu Valley: the aim is to bring the level of air pollution in the valley to the target set in the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of Nepal within the next 5 years. The various factors to support this plan are Air Quality Management supporting system, Environmentally Sustainable Transport System, Environment Friendly Construction Activities, Reducing Emissions of Industries in Valley, Environmentally Sound Management of Wastes (dealing with toxic air pollutants), Promoting Cleaner Fuel and Technology to Minimize Domestic Pollution (Indoor Air Pollution), Strengthening the Policy and Legislative Framework, Institutional Arrangement for Effective Implementation, and Financing the Action Plan.

6. Areas to Be Addressed

Nepal government has been formulating policies to control environmental pollution since the 1990s, but the implementation of the legislatives has not been effective enough. Several seminars, talks, committees, and task forces have been formulated to curb the issue but no concrete solution has been met. Air pollution has been a burning issue but adequate air quality monitoring stations have been limited only to a few places like Kathmandu, Kavre, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Rupendehi ( http://pollution.gov.np ). No sufficient study regarding air quality of urban and suburban regions has been done and categorically published on the basis of pollution level. It has been generalized that poor air quality is having adverse effect on people's health; however, studies are limited and no sufficient studies have been done longitudinally to find out short and long term effects, seasonal patterns, geographical variations, and other issues of air quality affecting human health. Knowledge and awareness of poor air quality's threat on human health have not reached the common public level which has blind folded them from taking basic precaution measures. Besides, other hindrances are economic conditions, malpractice in politics, and limited approach to health facilities.

7. Conclusion

Air pollution has been a huge burden to the residents of Kathmandu, threatening the lives of thousands of people of every year. The scenario is obvious to worsen in the coming years if immediate preventive measures are not taken in time. It is of utmost urgency to educate the common people on harmful aspects of air pollution and the necessary precautions to prevent its deadly consequences. The solution to Kathmandu's air pollution can be achieved only when the government takes the leading role in addressing the situation. The Constitution of Nepal 2015 has mentioned that clean and healthy environment should be guaranteed to the people as their primary right [ 58 ]. National health policy of Nepal has included air pollution as a priority research/public health agenda, but implementation part has not been efficient. Benefit of doubt can be given to government as the political scenario is still in the transition phase after the Nepalese overthrew centuries-old monarchy and established the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Currently, people are awaiting a better political stability whereby a better economic growth can be achieved so that solutions to this public health issue be achieved.

Abbreviations

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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USAID Clean Air

2021 - 2026 | fhi 360 | $13 million funding.

USAID Clean Air uses a multi-sectoral approach to reduce air pollution in Kathmandu Valley by engaging the government, civil society, private sector, and citizens.  The activity works to improve understanding of air quality issues, find local solutions, and develop capacity and commitment to implement policies for reducing air pollution.

USAID Clean Air builds capacity for civil society advocacy while increasing funding for green business models, greener processes, and air pollution emissions reduction.  A green innovation competition will spur new technologies and approaches while policy reforms support businesses and workers in a greener economy.

USAID Partners with the Government of Nepal on Evidence-Based Policy: 

USAID has a strong governance component, working with the Government of Nepal (GON) to support evidence-based policy formulation, enforcement, and implementation that influences air quality.  USAID supports the GON’s operationalization of the cabinet-approved Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Plan, particularly at the municipality level.  The activity focuses on demonstrating sustainable interventions for cleaner air that will be scaled up by municipalities through their own investment or private sector engagement.

USAID Strengthens the Resilience of Communities: 

USAID works with civil society groups and citizens to increase their knowledge about air pollution issues, access high quality data on air quality, and engage in public interest advocacy.  With these advocacy skills, civil societies and media can hold the private sector, local and national governments accountable for improving air quality, with an emphasis on equity.  

USAID Leverages the Private Sector to Promote Investment: 

USAID uses a competitive innovation fund to catalyze private sector involvement and investment by identifying and testing technologies and strategies for preventing and mitigating air pollution in Nepal.

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No caution even as toxic air takes heavy toll on public health

Arjun Poudel

Over 600 people with respiratory illnesses seek care at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the hospital runs its out-patient service.

The number of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses—pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among others—has risen significantly not only in this hospital but those across the country, according to health officials.

“Polluted air is the chief culprit for the rapid surge in the number of respiratory illnesses,” said Dr Niraj Bam, an associate professor at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University. “Along with respiratory illness, the toxic air has led to severe conditions like ulcers, cancer of the lungs and intestine, kidney disease, heart complications, high blood pressure and stroke.”

Of late, polluted air has been taking a huge toll on public health, throughout the globe.

A new report published on Thursday in The Lancet, a leading international medical journal, states that polluted air and high blood pressure are leading contributors to the global disease burden.

The report , “Global Burden and Strength of Evidence for 88 Risk Factors in 204 Countries and 811 Subnational Locations, 1990–2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021,” shows that air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, making for eight percent of total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), followed by high blood pressure (7.8 percent).

Likewise, smoking accounted for 5.7 percent, low birth weight and short gestation 5.6 percent and diabetes 5.4 percent of the burden.

Low birth weight, short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors for the younger population up to 14 years, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high blood pressure, high body mass index (BMI), high blood sugar and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol had a greater impact.

Nepal’s air quality reaches hazardous levels several times a year, and the capital city often becomes the world’s most polluted metropolis. Doctors say particulate matter emitted from construction sites, wildfires, wood burning, agriculture activities, and dusty roads worsens air quality, threatening the health of hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

Most forests burn every year during the dry season. Vehicular and industrial emissions and the burning of agricultural residue make the air toxic.

A recent report by Save the Children also shows critical linkages between air pollution and multi-faceted hazards for children.

The report “Breathless Future: Unveiling the Impacts of Air Pollution on Children and Women in Kathmandu and Saptari” shows the systemic impact of air pollution on various aspects of children's lives. It also explores the effects of air pollution on women and underrepresented groups.

“Deteriorating air quality, outdoors and indoors, has exposed children and women to many health hazards—asthma, other lung conditions, coughing, skin disease, nausea, and headache,” reads the report. “Alarmingly, these conditions have led to increased cases of pregnancy loss, child organ underdevelopment, and a general decline in life expectancy.”

Studies carried out in the past show that polluted air has been shortening people’s lives. Nepali lives are being cut short by around five years, according to a report by the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), which converts air pollution concentration into an impact on life expectancy. AQLI is a metric produced by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

Toxic air is deadlier than tobacco use and high blood pressure, which reduce life by 2.8 years and 1.7 years, respectively.

The reduction in life expectancy depends on where one lives—7.5 years in Mahottari, 7.4 years in Rautahat and Dhanusha, and 7.2 years in Sarlahi and Bara districts, the AQLI report said.

Likewise, the pollution has been shaving 6.7 years off the lives of people residing in Siraha, and 6.2 years in Saptari and Rupandehi districts.

Environment experts in Nepal said that worsening air quality has not only affected people’s health but also hit the economy and hindered overall development. Polluted air has for long been taking a huge toll on public health in Nepal but what’s alarming is that the authorities have not taken the issue seriously.

“We heard the government’s policies and programmes. There is no mention of the issue of air pollution,” said Bhusan Tuladhar, an environmental expert. “How can we mitigate the effects of air pollution, without addressing the problem?”

Arjun Poudel Arjun Poudel is a health reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Before joining the Post, he worked for Sagarmatha Television, Naya Patrika, Republica and The Himalayan Times.

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