This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. Sign up for our WEEKLY newsletters - and never miss out on the amazing news and comment articles we publish. A general view of a street during a smoggy day as the government has orderedschoolsto close for four days after the air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country, in Kathmandu, Nepal March 30, 2021. 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]. put Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. As reported by the World Bank, Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world with an estimated GDP per capita of US$470. We could barely see the birds flying around before but nowadays we can see the birds chirping and flying up in the sky due to decrease in air pollution. In Nepal, COPD is the second major cause of death after Ischemic Heart Diseases. Q : Which country has the highest number of time zones. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. 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. Air pollution is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes., Solution to pollution, Pallavi Pant and Anobha Gurung. 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. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Also, news from United Nations. These two are just representative examples of millions of people who are directly or indirectly affected by dust, a burning issue of the twenty first century. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used inKathmandu. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt byplants, particularly to those closer to the road. 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. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. 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. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. Thanks for contacting us. 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. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. This index is coloured red. 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 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. In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. This indicates, around a quarterof the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. Smog has blanketed huge swaths of Nepal as air pollution in the Himalayan country soared to hazardous levels. 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. Yours sincerely, Rajesh. Similarly, a University of Massachusetts study found that the good old surgical mask blocked 60% of 0.03 micron particles, and over 90% of 1 micron and 2.5 micron particles. 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,. 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 . The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. 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.. Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. 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. 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. The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has also colour coded various AQI levels at Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, and Maroon. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. Located between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters, the Himalayan nation is seeing the worst pollution levels since 2016. 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. The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. The country of 30 . 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 Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. We all have been well aware about the problem of environmental pollution which has been very petrifying to the living beings. 30 Mar 2021. The Art of Dealing with Breaking Up: Get over those blues and Take Break-Ups Lightly. Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poor, in northern India and the Tarai was already the. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. 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. China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting pollution. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. We human beings have been using the natural resources profusely. On hand was Marcia Bernicat of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. 12 February 2021. From his home in Kathmandus Chabahil, Basudevs walks take him around Pashupatinath Temple and the Guheshwori area. 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. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained:Manybusinesseshavegone down due to high amount of road dust. Write a newspaper article on environmental pollution in Nepal to be published in a newspaper. But so far, the government has done almost nothing to control air pollution.. "Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. 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. Sunil Paudel, Basudevs son, stopped going on morning walks last year after learning that Kathmandus air quality was reaching unsafe levels. Rapid and haphazard urbanisation in the last few decades has resulted in the degradation of the environment, predominantly in terms of air pollution. 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. But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. The report highlights dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity and the climate. 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. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. Atmospheric greenhouse gases reach record high, latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. 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. Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . 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. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate inthe 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. On Wednesday, the daily average PM 2.5 level for the western city clocked around 200, which is deemed unhealthy. Similarly, household air pollution (HAP) was over 18-folds higherduring our survey in 2007 than the WHO recommended guidelines . WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Of six environmental problems facing the U.S., Americans remain most worried about those that affect water quality. We chartered a train to Glasgow for COP26 and took 500 people with us. Nifty-129.. NSE Gainer-Large Cap . In 2017, solar electricity costs dropped from $0.28 to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour for utility-scale photovoltaic solar power. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Legal provisions should be made in order for people to manage solid wastes properly. Last modified on Fri 3 Mar 2023 20.17 EST. 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. 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. No: 289512/78/079 VAT No: 610271654 Editor Ashok Silwal Email nepalnamcha@gmail.com, Copyright 2023, , All Rights Reserved | Designed with. 2426/077-78 Ltd. Mhepi-16, Kathmandu, Nepal Company Reg. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The theme for World Environment Day (5 June) is #BeatAirPollution. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets dug up to replace water mains has turned the Valley into a dust bowl. 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. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. 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. ? 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 US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries. The victims of air pollutionurgently requirean appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. About three months later, at the present time, the pollution seems to have worsened. All of these vehicles degrade the air quality by emitting huge quantities of smoke into the ambient environment. 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. 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. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. SAMPLE 2. 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 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. Local pollution in Nepali border towns with high vehicular emissions and industrial pollution could increase due to pollution coming from across the border, he said. 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 . Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls. 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. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. In countries such as China, India and Nepal, air quality may have slightly improved in recent years, but the health risks due to PM2.5 haven't changed much, he said. 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. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. 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. But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. Advertisement The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. According to Tuladhar, New Delhi was able to immediately swing into action because it had an action plan to deal with the crisis. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. Other global AQI measurement sites like. Officials for the railroad company pulled out hours earlier, infuriating some residents who said they wanted answers from the company. 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. Department of Information Registration No. In addition, vehicles passing over broken or traveled roadrelease huge amounts of dust particles into the air, worsening air pollution further. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . Students participate in activities such as program evaluation and monitoring, public health surveillance, program development, risk assessments and analysis, development of policy briefs . hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. In terms of air pollution, the 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Nepal 177th out of 180 countries. 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. Spain. Nepal is a landlocked nation with the current population of over 27 million people. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. 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. These are the key points that needs to be followed in order to bring a positive change in the environment. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . 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 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. The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. 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.