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. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. Air pollution is slashing years from billions of people's lives around the world and is a greater threat to life expectancy than smoking, HIV/AIDS or war, a report published Wednesday shows.. 18/11/2022. 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. Air pollution is slashing years off the lives of billions, report finds 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. 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. I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. 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 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. By Leah Douglas. Environmental news, a monthly report on Global - Warm Heart Worldwide Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking | Nepali Times All news about Environment pollution | Euronews But the Narayani's problems go back further. No: 289512/78/079 VAT No: 610271654 Editor Ashok Silwal Email nepalnamcha@gmail.com, Copyright 2023, , All Rights Reserved | Designed with. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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]. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. The World Air Quality Project's index stood at 515 at that time while that of the Department of Environment (DoE) stood at 490. 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 leaves of plants are covered in dust particles which limits the photosynthesis rate and affects the plants growth and natural beauty. systema 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. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh recently concluded that surgical masks blocked 80% of particles sized 0.007 microns. 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. Kathmandu air pollution hits record high | Nepali Times Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal - Hindawi For example, an EIA for a major highway would need . The funds are the first . Write an article to be published in a local newspaper in about 100 There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. 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. It is now causing heart attacks, kidney diseases, osteoporosis and dementia. In 2000 / 2001 there were 24,003 vehicles registered in Kathmandu and this has increased dramatically to 79,822 in 2015 / 2016. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. 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. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. Air pollution in Kathmandu - The Ecologist 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. Environment pollution in Nepal - Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained:Manybusinesseshavegone down due to high amount of road dust. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. once done will text u on pint nd ins, I saw a fantastic film yesterday. We've received your submission. The US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. News about Air Pollution, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. WASHINGTON - Today the Environmental Working Group published an analysis of peer-reviewed data that for the first time shows the global scope of contamination by the "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, which may be harming over 330 wildlife species around the world.. Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. Reuters. 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. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. 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. We need to be extra careful because by the time we reach peak pollution levels, we will be gearing up to launch Visit Nepal 2020, said Tuladhar. 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. If there is any health advisory from the government, our family will stop going on regular morning walks, said Sunil. 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. Climate & Environment - The Kathmandu Post The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. The government should ban the use of old vehicles. Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The theme for World Environment Day (5 June) is #BeatAirPollution. , , , , . 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Adriana Paulo de Sousa Oliveira, Paula Assemany, Lidiane Covell, Maria Lcia Calijuri. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled road release huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. News article on environment pollutation in nepal to be published in All of these vehicles degrade the air quality by emitting huge quantities of smoke into the ambient environment. 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. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Air Pollution - The New York Times 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. 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 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. 21 October 2021 Climate and Environment. Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution . Thereportsays that 100% of the population in India lives in areas where PM2.5 levels are higher than the WHO Air Quality Guideline. This is a very unpleasant decision. On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at theUS Embassy measuring stationat Phora Darbar. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. 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. The Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award recognizes students whose application of science demonstrates the betterment of the environment and/or public health. The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal - ResearchGate We see fog in the morning and haze in the afternoon due to local dust pollution in the winter season.. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. Groundbreaking map shows toxic 'forever chemicals' in more than 330 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. The agency, along with local and . ? At times, it feels like my eyes are burning, said 34-year-old Sunil. 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. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Nepal is a landlocked nation with the current population of over 27 million people. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. The moves reflect residents deep-seated mistrust of government screenings of toxic chemicals and fears of long-term effects from the train derailment. Iturges the polluters to pay for thedamage done to the natural environment. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. However, two years later, the action plan has neither been finalised nor enforced. But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale This may collapse the whole ecosystem in general. This trend is increasing rapidly and it is estimated that urban population will reach 60 million by 2040 [ 32 ]. Find out more. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)ranked Nepal 177thout of 180 countries. 12 February 2021. Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. 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 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. Novel method of analyzing microplastic particle pollution can The major effect of air pollution can be mainly observed in the cities such as Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, and Lumbini. Average life expectancy is reduced by at least four years in the worst-affected areas like Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and other parts of the Tarai. We can classify pollution in many categories such as soil pollution, air pollution, water pollution, and noise . 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. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. This is also indicated in maroon. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. Find out about our mission, and our team, here. Pollution from India unlikely to reach Kathmandu, but Nepal needs to 'A waste of time and money': Why are EIAs so ineffective in Nepal? Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. 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. 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. In Kathmandu, a struggle for water amid worsening floods The report highlights dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity and the climate. 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 The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep . 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. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. essay on environmental pollution in 250 words-Nepal-2022 Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. Air Pollution and Your Health - National Institute of Environmental Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. 22 September 2021. Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am.