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| Kathmandu Valley |
Air pollution parameters have soared up in the Kathmandu Valley on an unprecedented scale in recent times. Dry climate and unplanned urbanisation is adding fuel to the fire. We have severe air pollution in terms of particulate matters (PMs). This is largely because of unmanaged traffic and dusty roads in busy cities like Kathmandu.
Particulate matter provides substrate to micro organisms to grow and substantially increases vulnerability for throat and respiratory infections. Air pollution is also increasing in industrial sub-metropolitan cities such as Biratnagar and Pokhara.
Environmental Performance Index (EPI) published by Yale Centre for Environmental Law and Policy shows that Nepal is third worst country in air pollution, although we are top ranked in forest resources. Cities like Kathmandu are accountable for this rating. Situation Analysis of Environmental Health 2009 by the Central Bureau of Statistics shows similar results.
Air pollution in India and China can have pronounced effect on us. We have to be aware of these facts and act accordingly. We got to have some serious researches on the effects of pollutants from those countries on our ecology and health.
In 2001, the government initiated process to establish the first permanent Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System in the Valley. Data from this monitoring system shows extensive pollution levels in the city area, its outskirts and even in core residential areas. The world saw severe air pollution events in the past and Kathmandu can be next probable place of such an incident. Los Angeles and Mexico City are the cities with frequent incidents of air pollution and smog events and they are geologically pretty similar to Kathmandu.
A study carried out in 2010 in Mexico City shows air pollution adversely affected the hearts of young individuals which showed inflammatory response due to bacterial infection. And every year Los Angeles witnesses serious smog events. Geomorphologic features of Kathmandu do not support dispersion of air pollutants.
Bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley and thermal inversion (formation of a layer in the atmosphere especially in winter season) doesn’t allow dispersion and traps pollutants. We haven’t seen any serious initiatives taken by our government and its bodies to address it. The government should have a proper mechanised system for proper implementation of its pollution mitigation laws.
Regulation of vehicles and industries like replacements of old fuel inefficient ones and polluters can help reduce pollution. Moreover, the government should ban import of cheap and outdated industrial appliances from India. Nepal can give subsidies to industries to import better and more sophisticated appliances. This will not only reduce fuel consumption, but industries will be more efficient and pollute less. The government should come up with policies to encourage less polluting industries.
As large amount of air pollution comes from transportation, we should have the mass transport system in place that can greatly reduce vehicle loads and hence pollution. It is good to hear that the government has plans to introduce metro train in the Valley; it should also make bicycle and pedestrian friendly roads to encourage better healthy living.
The government should act seriously and more responsibly towards greener energy sources like hydropower to meet power demand. New buildings must be constructed considering better ventilated rooms, especially in polluted cities. Well managed roads with some green spaces and traffic islands would also help as an air purifier in the crowded city.
Besides that, every resident should be aware of the fact that directly or indirectly we are the polluters as our government is deaf. We have to take initiatives like driving less, using bicycles and walking more etc. We import all of our fossil fuels and they run vehicles and our industries and proper utilisation of this fuel is due in our hands. Let us all crave for greener beautiful city. Hand in hand we can change, of course, for good.
( Bhatta is pursuing Master’s degree in TU Central Department of Environmental Science)
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