Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. 18/11/2022. The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . The rapid use of fossil fuels, increase in deforestation, unstable use of natural resources, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals, sewage and wastewater, nuclear waste, industrialization, urbanization, use of plastics and a lot more factors contribute to environmental pollution. The country of 30 million people lies in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 8 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. No: 289512/78/079 VAT No: 610271654 Editor Ashok Silwal Email nepalnamcha@gmail.com, Copyright 2023, , All Rights Reserved | Designed with. , , , , . Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . 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. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government, which is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The victims of air pollutionurgently requirean appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. 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. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. It urges the polluters to pay for the damage done to the natural environment. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. says that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. 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. Macrotech Developers Ltd. 997.35 152.6. One hour later, at 9:00 am, the air quality at Simara was recorded at 354; second on the list was Bhaisepati in Lalitpur at 196 and third was Dhagadhi at 195 (Department of Environment). Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. A new disease caused solely by plastics has been discovered in seabirds. 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. Air pollution has had a massive impact on Nepalese people. We chartered a train to Glasgow for COP26 and took 500 people with us. KATHMANDU Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. Coca-Cola is named world's worst plastic polluter for a fifth year. The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. 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. Other global AQI measurement sites like. Air pollution shortens lives more than any other external cause. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit 37,399 and 9943 respectively, according to a Republica news report published on 23 November 2019. The major effect of air pollution can be mainly observed in the cities such as Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, and Lumbini. But it shall be helpful only if it is implemented. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. 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. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. In Nepal, COPD is the second major cause of death after Ischemic Heart Diseases. A paper published in the December 2000 volume of the International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences on pollution in the Narayani placed the blame squarely on the Gorkha Brewery (and a paper mill that has since closed down) for much of the pollution in Nepal's third-largest river. 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. PM2.5 levels of 403.72 g/m3 were recorded at 7pm on November 4 in Nepalgunj, the highest for the country in the past week. In Nepal, 35,000 people die annually due to illnesses caused by polluted air. 'We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change.'. Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. Air pollution regularly exceeds recommended safe levels. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. As the new year gets underway, the world continues to grapple with a number of familiar challenges - the continued COVID-19 pandemic, resurgent wildfires, enduring crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. 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. 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. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. Most make various performance claims based on lab tests but factors like the masks fit play important roles. Their effectiveness also varies depending on the work place, environment and fitting. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. Copper multifaceted interferences during swine wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds: Alterations on nutrient removal, biomass composition and resource recovery. Benchmarks . Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. 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. Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. The air in Kathmandu, already dubbed one of the most polluted cities in the world, gets worse once the winter sets in. Nepal isn't short of water, thanks to the monsoon rains and the rivers that bring meltwater down from the Himalayan glaciers and snowpack. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. purely b. wisely c. competentlyd. EIAs must be submitted to Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) for approval, whereas IEEs can be approved by other relevant ministries. The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. 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. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu There are cloth masks and surgical ones, some are disposable but many use replaceable filters. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that in polluted urban areas, reducing air pollution could do as much as completely eliminating smoking would to lower rates of the 12 types of cancer most commonly associated with smoking, including lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer . Quantifying the socio-economic impact of air pollution on a country will be vital in raising awareness among the public as well as policy makers and leaders, but as we have seen in Nepal it does not immediately lead to policy change. 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. Since PM2.5 are so small, they are also likely to hang in the air for longer, increasing the chances that they will be inhaled. 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. 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. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. of tens of millions of people by 3.7 years. This is a very unpleasant decision. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. Submissions It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbaniz The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls. ? A recent study by scientists from Peking University (China) and the University of Connecticut (USA) [1] has revealed that 1 in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia may be due to air . at Phora Darbar. But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. systema South Asia News: KATHMANDU: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home. The leaves of plants are covered indust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. El descarrilamiento en East Palestine, Ohio, se ha convertido en uno de los incidentes ms mediticos y ms politizados de su tipo en los ltimos aos. Air pollution is a chronic problem in . Also, news from United Nations. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. To receive the magazine, become a member now. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government that is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. For example, an EIA for a major highway would need . Double whammy: air pollution and Covid-19, Photo: MONIKA DEUPALA n the past eight months of this, ir quality across Nepal has been deteriorating over the years., The first step in reducing air pollution is to let. It said that air pollution is dependent on weather system, and due to this fact, the pollution may last for some time or may worsen further with the passing of time. Iturges the polluters to pay for thedamage done to the natural environment. Recently the government has decided that the plastics that are less than 40 microns will be banned from use from the month of Shrawan 2078. Your email address will not be published. Hemraj Bhattarai is agraduate student from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, and is currently working on air pollution issuesat Kathmandu Center for Research and Education, Nepal. The Art of Dealing with Breaking Up: Get over those blues and Take Break-Ups Lightly. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Human error eyed as cause of Yeti Airlines crash that killed 72 people, 2 Americans, 2 permanent US residents among 72 dead in Nepal plane crash, Father of flight attendant urged her not to work before Nepal crash left 70 dead, Nepal to send data recorder from crash to France. For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. Kathmandu: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. The rapid use of fossil fuels, increase in deforestation, unstable use of natural resources, overuse of pesticides and other chemicals, sewage and wastewater, nuclear waste, industrialization, urbanization, use of plastics and a lot more factors contribute to environmental pollution. The values between 151 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy. The government has also decided to sell the natural minerals like sand, rocks, mud etc to India. Adriana Paulo de Sousa Oliveira, Paula Assemany, Lidiane Covell, Maria Lcia Calijuri. Q Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu We all have been well aware about the problem of environmental pollution which has been very petrifying to the living beings. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. Measurement of air quality through the Air Quality Index (AQI) in city areas of the centralised valley, along with few areas of the Tarai region, shows that air pollution has become rampant. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. 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 . Photo Courtesy: Department of Environment/Air Quality Montoring, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 9 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. - . "And it wasn't just the . This index is coloured red. Winter inversion, vehicular emission, wildfires, and cross-border industrial pollution have combined to give Kathmandu Valley the worst air quality among cities in the world this week, adding to the risk of respiratory complications for Covid-19 patients. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. Kathmandu valley requireshalf of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. 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 . As reported by the World Bank, Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world with an estimated GDP per capita of US$470. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. According to AQ AirVisual, a Swiss group that collects air-quality data from around the world, the annual average PM2.5 level for Kathmandu in 2018 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), an increase from 45.9 g/m3 in 2017.