Ironically, World No Tobacco Day falls on 31 May, just four days ahead of Environment Day. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. "We found that the pollution exposure was really, really high, suggesting potential for substantial health impacts of air pollution in this region," says Gurung, who is now a doctoral candidate at F&ES. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. 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. 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. The birds identified as having the disease, named . 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. 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 (. 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. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. This may collapse the whole ecosystem in general. 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. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. FEATURED FUNDS. "Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service, : Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after. Under the US Clean Water Act, the EPA regulates wastewater discharge from meat and poultry plants into . Write a newspaper article on environmental pollution in Nepal to be published in a newspaper. 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. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. 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. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. The analysis, based on more than 100 recent peer-reviewed studies, detected over 120 unique PFAS compounds in these animals . systema ? The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which . The smoke generated from the wildfires worsened the pollution, according to an officer at the Division. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu 22 September 2021. When will women lead big political parties? The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. The EPI recently found Nepal to have the worst air pollution in the world. As women play a significant role in the management and use of energy sources for household cooking, they are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution [7]. 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. once done will text u on pint nd ins, I saw a fantastic film yesterday. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. At times, it feels like my eyes are burning, said 34-year-old Sunil. 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. About three months later, at the present time, the pollution seems to have worsened. 1. Advertisement 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. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate inthe city. Q With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. 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. 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. All living being birds, animals, insects, plants and even human beings are victims of pollution. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. 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. Department of Information Registration No. All of these vehicles degrade the air quality by emitting huge quantities of smoke into the ambient environment. Environmental pollution is one of the greatest threats of the world today. 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. Nifty-129.. NSE Gainer-Large Cap . Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. 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 . 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. We chartered a train to Glasgow for COP26 and took 500 people with us. Nepal is a landlocked nation with the current population of over 27 million people. 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 is a major threat to global health and prosperity. We should work for the betterment of the environment because the nature has provided a lot to us and we shouldnt be disgraceful towards it. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. We all have been well aware about the problem of environmental pollution which has been very petrifying to the living beings. In Nepal, COPD is the second major cause of death after Ischemic Heart Diseases. Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . But air pollution issues are continue to increase. Donate to The Ecologist and support high impact environmental journalism and analysis. 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. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. 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). ? This index is coloured red. Thanks for contacting us. According to Poudel, the pollution level in the border towns of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can slightly influence pollution along the border area. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. 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. News about Air Pollution, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled road release huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. Whilstthis shows an improvement over the course of one year, when observing datataken from the capital city . 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. The agency, along with local and . China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting pollution. 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. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. 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 Ecologist is an environmental news and analysis website with a focus on environmental, social and economic justice. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust,a burning issue ofthe twenty firstcentury. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around3.5 million. But the Narayani's problems go back further. Three members of the Paudel family followed suit, but they never gave much thought to the quality of the air they were breathing in. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. In addition, residential and commercial-scale solar electricity expenses have dropped from $0.52 to $0.16 and $0.40 to $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, respectively. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Bhushan Tuladhar, an environmentalist who closely watches levels of air pollution in the country, agrees that there is a minimal chance of pollution from Delhi and northern India reaching Kathmandu, although cities in the Tarai are already dealing with poor air quality coming from across the border. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. The recent Environmental Performance Index 2016 has suggested increase in overall PM 2.5 in Nepal over the last decade. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. 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. 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. 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 . Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking. This is a very unpleasant decision. 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,. 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. purely b. wisely c. competentlyd. 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 polluter pays' principle was introduced in 1972 in order to address this issue. 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. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)ranked Nepal 177thout of 180 countries. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. 18/11/2022. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. In 2013, a team of Cambridge University scientists were in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, developing a device to measure . Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. This is a grave threat to public health, the government should have declared an emergency and taken urgent measures to curb pollution, says environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar. Introduction. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. 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. A mask at best is a temporary solution and does not block harmful gases. Q : Only continent in the world without a desert is. "And it wasn't just the . Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. One of the cheapest energy sources. 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. We see fog in the morning and haze in the afternoon due to local dust pollution in the winter season.. Spain. Sonia Awale May 31, 2019. This is a grave threat to public health, the government should have declared an emergency and taken urgent measures to curb pollution, says environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar. 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 Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. 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. Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The theme for World Environment Day (5 June) is #BeatAirPollution. 'We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change.'. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. We are mainly responsible for the destructive changes in the environment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. of tens of millions of people by 3.7 years. Their effectiveness also varies depending on the work place, environment and fitting. Indeed, a long-term solution requires policy level intervention and coordination between all branches of government. 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. 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. 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. The measurement between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy (purple) and states 'health warnings of emergency conditions'. Southwesterly winds have carried in some clouds with dust particles, mainly in the western parts of Tarai districts like Kanchanpur, Banke and Bardiya, Poudel told the Post. Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. 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. The report highlights dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity and the climate. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. 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 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. 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.. AQI level between 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and anything above 301 is regarded as Hazardous. 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. 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. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. In recent time it has been seen that the pollution is increasing day by day. In 2000 / 2001 there were 24,003 vehicles registered in Kathmandu and this has increased dramatically to 79,822 in 2015 / 2016. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in tents, breathing air thick with pollutants unleashed from tombs of rubble, fearful that a new disaster could strike at any moment. Butair pollution issues are continue to increase. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. 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. 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. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. The number of vehicles in the valley during the last two decades has increased ninefold, and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management in Nepal. The leaves of plants are covered indust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel in the valley. The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. Iturges the polluters to pay for thedamage done to the natural environment. I know..mom's got a lock on literally everythin so y we gotta wait..! It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. 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. No: 289512/78/079 VAT No: 610271654 Editor Ashok Silwal Email [email protected], Copyright 2023, , All Rights Reserved | Designed with. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. 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 garbage should be properly disposed and managed. 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. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries.
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