World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. 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 visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. Ocean pollution poses a clear and present danger to human health and well-being, according to a new study from an international group of researchers. 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. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. 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. The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . 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. The traffic on the most part seemed to move along without any fuss. And with reports of Indias north and its capital New Delhi struggling with extreme air pollution, Sunil wonders how much worse the air will get this winter. The Art of Dealing with Breaking Up: Get over those blues and Take Break-Ups Lightly. Sunil Paudel, Basudevs son, stopped going on morning walks last year after learning that Kathmandus air quality was reaching unsafe levels. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Nepal 177th out of 180 countries. Electrified public transport would have been a good place to start, but 6 months after Prime Minister KP Oli launched an electric mobility action plan to turn at least 20% of public vehicles into battery-operated ones by 2020, progress has been slow. Despite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandus air quality has worsened in the past two years. But air pollution issues are continue to increase. Students participate in activities such as program evaluation and monitoring, public health surveillance, program development, risk assessments and analysis, development of policy briefs . However, two years later, the action plan has neither been finalised nor enforced. 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. ? Submissions Kathmandu has dangerous levels of air and water pollution, making certain regions of the city nearly unlivable. A breakdown of whats known, and whats not, about the incident and its aftermath. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes., Solution to pollution, Pallavi Pant and Anobha Gurung. With neighbouring India and China committed to manufacturing only electric automobiles by 2030, Nepal will be forced to go electric. 30 Mar 2021. New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. 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. Last modified on Fri 3 Mar 2023 20.17 EST. 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. 12 February 2021. 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. Nifty-129.. NSE Gainer-Large Cap . , : Which country has the most number of lakes. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Legal provisions should be made in order for people to manage solid wastes properly. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Get access to nearly 50 years of journalism at the Ecologist Archive. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate in the city. Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution . For example, an EIA for a major highway would need . The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit37,399 and 9943 respectively,according to aRepublica news report published on 23 November 2019. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". Advertisement Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around 3.5 million. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. Most make various performance claims based on lab tests but factors like the masks fit play important roles. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. 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. 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. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. 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. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. 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. 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. To The Editor The . New Delhi has seen a sudden spike whereas Kathmandu witnesses a gradual increase in pollution level starting from November and reaching peak levels in January.. However, the vast portion of pollution is generated locally. 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 A Love Beyond Measure: The Unforgettable Reunion, , . Your email address will not be published. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . 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. This is a very unpleasant decision. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around3.5 million. Modern day Nepal is one of the most polluted and impoverished places in the world. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. 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. 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. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . But it shall be helpful only if it is implemented. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to update its water pollution rules for slaughterhouses for the first time in nearly 20 years, the agency announced on Wednesday, following a lawsuit from environmental groups arguing current standards are too weak, according to Reuters. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. The CPV power plant operates in Woodbridge N.J. on Feb. 27, 2023. Use of pesticides and fertilizers must be controlled. This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. The values between 151 and 200 are categorised as unhealthy. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. SAMPLE 2. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled roadrelease huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. . Poor air quality in Kathmandu and inside rural homes due to smoky kitchen fires kill far more people across South Asia than SARS-CoV-2. I know..mom's got a lock on literally everythin so y we gotta wait..! Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. 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. 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 the. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT, A screenshot showing Air Quality Index (AQI) for various cities as measured at 8 am on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . One of the cheapest energy sources. Our aim is to educate and inform as many people as possible about the wonders of nature, the crisis we face and the best solutions and methods in managing that crisis. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. Air pollution is also the main environmental risk factor for non-communicable diseases like cancers and lung diseases, concludes a recent report by the NCD Alliance and the Forum of International Respiratory Scientists: The challenge is great, but the cure is straight-forward it must be met by national, regional, local and personal responses. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. When will women lead big political parties? 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. Macrotech Developers Ltd. 997.35 152.6. 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. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports fine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is around ten times higher than the WHO limit. Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. 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. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN NEPAL Prof. Dr. Meen B. Poudyal Chhetri a and Anil Shakyab a Disaster Preparedness Network, Kathmandu, Nepal b Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Government of Nepal ABSTRACT Environmental degradation is a very big problem in Nepal which is causing human health Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. Nepal's Environment Protection Rules 2020 (2077) lists projects that need IEEs under Schedule 2, and those that need EIAs under Schedule 3. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poor, in northern India and the Tarai was already the. Also, news . Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. Kathmandu valley requireshalf of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. 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. The country of 30 million people lies in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. But the Narayani's problems go back further. Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale 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. 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 strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. The moves sets the stage for the agency to issue tighter controls on mercury, a neurotoxin emitted by power plants. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. 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. Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. 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 . We are mainly responsible for the destructive changes in the environment. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. The company's plan to a second gas-fired power plant next to the existing one is being opposed by residents of the mainly minority and low-income communities around the plant who say an environmental justice law signed over two years ago by New Jersey Gov. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Therefore, it is advised that everyone should avoid all outdoor exertions. 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. 18/11/2022. But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . 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. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled road release huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. says that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. 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. 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. 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. UNICEF, on Wednesday, issued a statement calling for urgent action to address this air quality crisis in South Asia. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. 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 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. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting pollution. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . 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. Their effectiveness also varies depending on the work place, environment and fitting. Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . Under the US Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates wastewater discharge from meat and poultry plants into . 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. Benchmarks . Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a . Due to the industrial revolution from the late 20th century the environment has been polluted to such an extent that now it has become a global issue. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration of particulate matter below 10 and 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen dioxide and ground ozone. Vehicular emissions or traffic related particulate matter has serious health effects such as increased respiratory disease, reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, heart disease etc. purely b. wisely c. competentlyd. Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. Of course, a masks effectiveness depends on how well it fits on the face, but a simple, disposable surgical mask can be more cost-effective than those fancy looking expensive ones. FEATURED FUNDS. Yours sincerely, Rajesh. This indicates, around a quarterof the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. The Ecologist is an environmental news and analysis website with a focus on environmental, social and economic justice. Smog has blanketed huge swaths of Nepal as air pollution in the Himalayan country soared to hazardous levels. The governments standard level is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. On Wednesday, the daily average PM 2.5 level for the western city clocked around 200, which is deemed unhealthy. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. In Nepal, around 8,700 people, mainly women and children, die prematurely each year due to illnesses related to indoor air pollution from solid biomass fuel burning [8]. Fri 3 Mar 2023 06.19 EST. 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 . Other global AQI measurement sites like. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. 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. 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. Strong laws related to environment should be made and implemented. Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. Majorities express "a great deal" of worry about the pollution of both drinking water (56%) and rivers, lakes and reservoirs (53%). According to the 2017 Air Quality Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, the transport sector contributes over 30 percent of total suspended particles (TSP), or 20,072 tonnes, into the air. Environmental pollution is one of the greatest threats of the world today. The latest edition of Resurgence & Ecologist is out now, and available to buy. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. 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. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases.