Nepal's Environment Protection Rules 2020 (2077) lists projects that need IEEs under Schedule 2, and those that need EIAs under Schedule 3. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Located between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters, the Himalayan nation is seeing the worst pollution levels since 2016. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. A new disease caused solely by plastics has been discovered in seabirds. Therefore, it is advised that everyone should avoid all outdoor exertions. In 2013, a team of Cambridge University scientists were in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, developing a device to measure . China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting 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. Majorities express "a great deal" of worry about the pollution of both drinking water (56%) and rivers, lakes and reservoirs (53%). Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. Air pollution is a silent killer and while it is difficult to quantify its heath impact, hospitalisation due to serious respiratory diseases has increased sharply in recent years, says chest specialist Raju Pangeni at HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. A Love Beyond Measure: The Unforgettable Reunion, , . The US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries. Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. Nepal is a landlocked nation with the current population of over 27 million people. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. 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. Though the readings slowly became less alarming after the morning hours, at 10:00 am and onwards, the readings for Simara was still lingering above 300; others (stations mentioned above) showed the index between 151 to 200. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. The polluter pays' principle was introduced in 1972 in order to address this issue. This year, I have already started feeling different. 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. 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. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Under the US Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates wastewater discharge from meat and poultry plants into . It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. Required fields are marked *. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. 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. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. PM2.5, or Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns thick, are among the most dangerous of air particles as they can get past the nose and throat to enter the lungs and even the bloodstream. Environmental pollution is one of the greatest threats of the world today. . Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. This level is considered hazardous, and can lead to serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly, [along with] serious risk of respiratory effects in general population, according to the United States Environment Protection Agency. Despite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandus air quality has worsened in the past two years. Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a . Butair pollution issues are continue to increase. In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. According to Poudel, the pollution level in the border towns of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can slightly influence pollution along the border area. 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. 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. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes., Solution to pollution, Pallavi Pant and Anobha Gurung. Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. 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. More than 65% of all deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in 2019 were linked to air pollution in Nepal. 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. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. 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. 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. Our environment determines our health and civilization. The government has declared a public health emergency, asking schools to shut down and residents to avoid outdoor physical activities, especially during morning and late evening. But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. Use of pesticides and fertilizers must be controlled. 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. This is a very unpleasant decision. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt by plants, particularly to those closer to the road. However, the vast portion of pollution is generated locally. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. 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. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. According to Tuladhar, New Delhi was able to immediately swing into action because it had an action plan to deal with the crisis. Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . 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. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". While the quality of air in some of these places has degraded tremendously, air quality in other places is becoming increasingly unhealthy. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The theme for World Environment Day (5 June) is #BeatAirPollution. Other global AQI measurement sites like. The statement declared that the level of pollution in the valley is increasingly -- especially in the mornings and the evenings -- creating negative implications on people's health. One of the cheapest energy sources. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause many of the health conditions associated with increased vulnerability to Covid-19, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, said theState of Global Air 2020released last October. The air pollution emergency in Kathmandu puts the elderly, those with asthma and other respiratory ailments at high risk, and would be especially dangerous to those with Covid-19. 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 . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. 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,. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. The World Health Organisation (WHO)s guidelines state that AQI should be below 35, and the concentration of particles below 2.5 microns should be below 25 g/mover a 24 hour period. 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. Q : Only continent in the world without a desert is. Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. The measurement between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy (purple) and states 'health warnings of emergency conditions'. 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 environment has been in a better condition. Research on microplastic concentration in aquatic environment is attracting scientists from developing countries, but in Nepal no information regarding microplastic in freshwater system is available. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. 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. Nepal isn't short of water, thanks to the monsoon rains and the rivers that bring meltwater down from the Himalayan glaciers and snowpack. The air in Kathmandu, already dubbed one of the most polluted cities in the world, gets worse once the winter sets in. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. While asked about the poorest air quality index of the capital city, Shankar Prasad Poudel, information officer for the Department of Environment, said that three major factors have affected the air quality of the Valley. Looking at the air quality data over the last few years, it appears that Nepal made amarked improvement from 2018 to 2019, with a PM2.5 reading of 54.15 g/m beingrecorded as an average over 2018 as compared to 44.46 g/m in 2019. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. Dealing with a problem that is transboundary in nature requires strong regional cooperation, she said. 25th Jan, 2023. 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. 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. Globally, air pollution results in around sevenmillion deaths annually. FEATURED FUNDS. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Modern day Nepal is one of the most polluted and impoverished places in the world. 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). The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. Your email address will not be published. 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. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has also colour coded various AQI levels at Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, and Maroon. It is a call to mobilize, say the authors who . Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. 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 From his home in Kathmandus Chabahil, Basudevs walks take him around Pashupatinath Temple and the Guheshwori area. 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. Thepolluter pays' principlewas introduced in1972 in order to address this issue. The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. Despite the fact that most people in our country are breathing the air with such perilous level pollution, we still lack the vigour to act responsibly against the situation. The government, which has been engulfed in a crisis within the ruling party after Prime Minister K P Oli dissolved the Lower House and called for snap polls in April-May, seems to be too distracted to pay attention to the converging crises of Covid-19 and air pollution. The government should ban the use of old vehicles. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. In Nepal, 35,000 people die annually due to illnesses caused by polluted air. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. "Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. At a time when Kathmandus, AQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morning, with 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Chandan Kumar Mandal is the environment and migration reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering labour migration and governance, as well as climate change, natural disasters, and wildlife. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency . We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . At this level of air quality, it is better that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled roadrelease huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. (left). Taking action to tackle the pollution in Nepal climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. There has also been a 25% increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Q : Emu bird is found in the country. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. There will be complications in irrigation facility, deforestation will take place and landslides may occur, the water resources will get soaked. There will be very less production of crops and the economy of the whole country can go downhill by this negative decision made by the government. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. 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 . Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking. In recent years, cities in the Tarai have become infamous for the poor quality of their air, mostly because of the heavy presence of industries, dust from construction, and also trans-boundary pollution. But the Narayani's problems go back further. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. The Art of Dealing with Breaking Up: Get over those blues and Take Break-Ups Lightly. The governments standard level is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. 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. Since the festival of Diwali ended last week, the air quality in New Delhi has drastically deteriorated, resulting in air pollution levels reaching nearly 10 times healthy limits.