Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road condition of older vehicles is triggering air quality problems in the valley. 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. Thanking you. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Mass media have been a critical avenue to reach, communicate, and influence people on the alarming intensity and frequency of environmental problems [1, 2, 3].The world is facing a multitude of environmental problems, ranging from biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, spread of the vector-borne diseases and climate change at varying spatial and temporal scales [4]. 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 . Dust from construction works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city of four million people, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say. The US Environmental Protection Agency gave the all clear for residents to return home shortly after the February 3 derailment and controlled burn that followed. Anupamaas Nidhi Shahs off-screen glam looks, Top 10 T'wood actresses of the 80s and 90s, Shraddha Das rocks the thigh-high slit trend, Live: PM addresses post-budget webinar on Green Growth, Oscars to have Crisis Team after Will Smith slapgate, Adani's older brother plays key role at embattled dynasty, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. The latest edition of Resurgence & Ecologist is out now, and available to buy. Ironically, World No Tobacco Day falls on 31 May, just four days ahead of Environment Day. The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion & analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture & arts, sports, movies, food & travel, books, education, auto & more at kathmandupost.com I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. Despite the fact that most people in our country are breathing the air with such perilous level pollution, we still lack the vigour to act responsibly against the situation. Moreover, Kathmandu is ranked as one of the most polluted cities in Asia: according to the airvisual.com, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted city. The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. This also adds to the risk of COVID-19, said Sher Bahadur Pun, a doctor at a tropical and infectious disease hospital in the capital. It urges the polluters to pay for the damage done to the natural environment. Controlling tobacco in Nepal is already such a big challenge, butKathmandus degrading air quality has doubled the disease burden, says health activist Shanta Lall Mulmi. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Thenumberofvehiclesin the valley during the last two decades has increasedninefold,and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management inNepal. The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. Students participate in activities such as program evaluation and monitoring, public health surveillance, program development, risk assessments and analysis, development of policy briefs . Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. UNICEF, on Wednesday, issued a statement calling for urgent action to address this air quality crisis in South Asia. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. There is now growing fear that the toxic air of India, which had 22 of the worlds most polluted cities in 2018, will reach Nepal and cause a similar health panic, especially as the country itself has been struggling to check its air pollution levels. Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. Health alert must be imposed on everyone as everybody is prone to experience more serious health effects. 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. 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. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. Advertisement Smog has blanketed huge swaths of Nepal as air pollution in the Himalayan country soared to hazardous levels. climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. When you can frame the problem in terms of how many people are dying and how much productivity is lost, then it becomes much more urgent.. There are dozens of types of masks available in Kathmandu. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poor, in northern India and the Tarai was already the. Adriana Paulo de Sousa Oliveira, Paula Assemany, Lidiane Covell, Maria Lcia Calijuri. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. We all have been well aware about the problem of environmental pollution which has been very petrifying to the living beings. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. Their effectiveness also varies depending on the work place, environment and fitting. Because Nepals national government and municipalities have done little to reduce risk, citizens have adopted their own methods of personal protection: wearing masks, installing air purifiers at home and office, cancelling morning walks, and monitoring air pollution levels on apps before allowing children to play outside. Fri 3 Mar 2023 06.19 EST. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. Over the weekend, pollution levels hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters news agency. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. According to the World Air Quality Report, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted capital city in the world, based on its average yearly PM2.5 level. Your email address will not be published. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust,a burning issue ofthe twenty firstcentury. Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. I know..mom's got a lock on literally everythin so y we gotta wait..! Majorities express "a great deal" of worry about the pollution of both drinking water (56%) and rivers, lakes and reservoirs (53%). 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. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. Espaol. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. As people fear another wave of Covid-19 a year after the government first imposed restrictions in the country, another health concern related to respiratory illnesses caused by toxins in the environment has come to the fore. Thefts of the pollution control devices from cars and trucks more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, and jumped dramatically again in 2021 . Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. Photo Courtesy: Department of Environment/Air Quality Montoring, President candidate Poudel reaches RSP office seeking votes, US, Russia hold highest-level talks since Ukraine invasion, Scathing report on Nepal's security controls, In Pictures: Air Pollution continues its grip over Kathmandu Valley, China acknowledges Sino-Indian brawl at Galwan Valley from last year for the first time, Covid vaccination drive in Nepal could be affected with Indian govt halting AstraZeneca export. Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. 12 February 2021. ? I would be very thankful to you if you publish my article on your esteemed daily.Hope the government will take immediate action on this matter. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. The index stood at 214 as per DoE's data. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. At the same hour, Bhaktapur's air quality degraded as low as 347 (according to The World Air Quality Project) while as per DoE's data it stood at 348. - . It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. 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. Site By: Hiti Design, The first step in reducing air pollution is to let, Nepali scientist returns to pinpoint hazards of dirty air, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IudF3qNM-xE&feature=youtu.benobha Gurung could have had a distinguished international career in, Sonia Awale s winter sets in and air quality deteriorates,. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate in the city. ONTARIO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kickstarting the autonomous bus revolution in the US, the city of Houston is set to receive the first Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Buy America-compliant mid-size autonomous bus in the US. There will be complications in irrigation facility, deforestation will take place and landslides may occur, the water resources will get soaked. put Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 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. The CPV power plant operates in Woodbridge N.J. on Feb. 27, 2023. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. Air qualities in cities like Birgunj, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa get worse due to local air pollution, supported by stagnation of air in this season where there is an inversion of temperature, a reversal of the normal behaviour of temperature in the troposphere, said Poudel, the meteorologist. The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . Because indoor air pollution levels are also high, ideally you would have to wear a mask 24 hours a day, says Pangeni. 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. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. By Leah Douglas. Says Pallavi Pant, air quality scientist at the Health Effects Institute: Exposures to air pollution have been shown to affect the human bodys immune defence, making an individual more susceptible to respiratory infections such as pneumonia., Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poorair qualityin northern India and the Tarai was already thereducing average lifespanof tens of millions of people by 3.7 years. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . Located between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters, the Himalayan nation is seeing the worst pollution levels since 2016. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. Whilstthis shows an improvement over the course of one year, when observing datataken from the capital city . This site is using cookies under cookie policy . It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. We are mainly responsible for the destructive changes in the environment. Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. This may collapse the whole ecosystem in general. Air pollution is a chronic problem in . Many scientists and environmental specialists all over the world have studied the harmful effect of plastic in detail and all of them are of the same view regarding the degree of harm they represent. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal 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 . There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. At a time when KathmandusAQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morningwith 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (AQI World map, below). Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. We see fog in the morning and haze in the afternoon due to local dust pollution in the winter season.. As AQ AirVisual data shows, PM2.5 levels in Kathmandu saw a continuous rise last yearfrom 65.6 g/m3 in November, followed by 91.9 g/m3 in December, 92.5g/m3 in January and peaking at 96.3 g/m3 in February. This year, I have already started feeling different. Department of Information Registration No. 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. Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls.