There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. systema editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 That said, old diesel vehicles are contributing significantly to the poor air quality in the city. 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. 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. 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. Download the latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. This means Kathmandus pollution has been 15 times higher than the WHO standard. The environment has been in a better condition. 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. 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 victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan . PM2.5, or Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns thick, are among the most dangerous of air particles as they can get past the nose and throat to enter the lungs and even the bloodstream. However, the record-breaking pollution this winter will add to the risk of the coronavirus. 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. 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. However, two years later, the action plan has neither been finalised nor enforced. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. Despite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandus air quality has worsened in the past two years. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. Kathmandus AQI has remained at the Maroon Hazardous level for two days in a row. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. 30 Mar 2021. "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. The transport sector further contributes 30 percent of PM10 particles, which are smaller than a grain of sand and can easily pass through the hairs in our nose, second only to the construction sector, which emits 53 percent of the total PM10. ? If there is any health advisory from the government, our family will stop going on regular morning walks, said Sunil. International breweries are polluting Nepalese rivers Implication of Air Pollution on Health Effects in Nepal: Lessons from The first step in controlling air pollution is with electric public transport because vehicular emissions make up the majority of pollutants in Kathmandus air, says environmentalist Bhushan Tuladhar. Q Even before Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that poor, in northern India and the Tarai was already the. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. Reuters. 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. Adriana Paulo de Sousa Oliveira, Paula Assemany, Lidiane Covell, Maria Lcia Calijuri. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. 'We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change.'. 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. 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. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . The CPV power plant operates in Woodbridge N.J. on Feb. 27, 2023. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". 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. One of the cheapest energy sources. of tens of millions of people by 3.7 years. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local, said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. 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. The major reason for high ambient air pollution in Nepal is largely from traffic related with old . ? 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. 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 Ecologist is an environmental news and analysis website with a focus on environmental, social and economic justice. The US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Every year, we witness a surge in air pollution during the winter season. Between 301 and 400 (maroon), the air quality is at a hazardous level; it has more severe health implications. Minnesota moves to crack down on catalytic converter thefts | AP News It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. Environment pollution in Nepal - The measurement between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy (purple) and states 'health warnings of emergency conditions'. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. Thepolluter pays' principlewas introduced in1972 in order to address this issue. Department of Information Registration No. Q : Emu bird is found in the country. 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. Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030 | UN News Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. 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. 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. 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 latest edition of Resurgence & Ecologist is out now, and available to buy. Air pollution has had a massive impact on Nepalese people. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment - UNEP 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. 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. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt by plants, particularly to those closer to the road. The coverage of environmental issues in FM radios in Nepal: the current Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. 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. Research on microplastic concentration in aquatic environment is attracting scientists from developing countries, but in Nepal no information regarding microplastic in freshwater system is available. In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. 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. This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Site By: Hiti Design, On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at the. Smog has blanketed huge swaths of Nepal as air pollution in the Himalayan country soared to hazardous levels. 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 news agency. 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. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. Novel method of analyzing microplastic particle pollution can The country of 30 million people lies in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the worlds biggest polluters. The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. Top economies responsible for 2 million air pollution deaths worldwide But it shall be helpful only if it is implemented. The victims of air pollution urgently require an appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. One of those rivers is the Melamchi, about 25 . Climate & Environment - The Kathmandu Post But public health specialists discount their efficacy and stress that the best solution is to reduce air pollution at sources. Every year, 35,000 people in Nepal die from illnesses related to air contaminants. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. A new disease caused solely by plastics has been discovered in seabirds. Recently the government has decided that the plastics that are less than 40 microns will be banned from use from the month of Shrawan 2078. 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. Letter to the editor of The Rising Nepal about the environmental Geyh-Bouwer Trainee Practice Award | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School 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. There are dozens of types of masks available in Kathmandu. To receive the magazine, become a member now. According to the World Air Quality Report, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted capital city in the world, based on its average yearly PM2.5 level. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. Nifty-129.. NSE Gainer-Large Cap . The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. 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,. In 2017, the Department of Environment had drafted an action plan to tackle the deteriorating quality of air in Kathmandu Valley. Find out more. Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. Atmospheric greenhouse gases reach record high, latest essay from our Megamorphosis series now. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. 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. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. 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. Environment News, Earth News, Global Warming, Wild Life, Carbon Trading 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 country of 30 . But the Narayani's problems go back further. Dealing with a problem that is transboundary in nature requires strong regional cooperation, she said. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme ( UNEP ). The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . 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. 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. 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.. essay on environmental pollution in 250 words-Nepal-2022 Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. 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. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained: Many businesses have gone down due to high amount of road dust. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Posted by July 3, 2022 morenci area schools staff on newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution . The World Air Quality Project's index stood at 515 at that time while that of the Department of Environment (DoE) stood at 490. Take your pick, but remember the best thing is to reduce the source of pollution. 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. This indicates, around a quarterof the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. The index stood at 214 as per DoE's data. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The high mountains around the Kathmandu valley allows air pollution to accumulate inthe city. In Nepal, a Cabinet decision last year adopted the Department of Environments guidelines for air pollution to declare a health emergency if AQI exceeded 300 meaning the government can ban open burning, close factories, and take measures to reduce vehicles on the roads. We've received your submission. 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 (. Kathmandu has dangerous levels of air and water pollution, making certain regions of the city nearly unlivable. 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. purely b. wisely c. competentlyd. Whilstthis shows an improvement over the course of one year, when observing datataken from the capital city . This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. 2426/077-78 New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives The average exposure for the officers was 51.2 g/m 3, with an hourly maximum of more than 500 g/m 3. Thanking you. When will women lead big political parties?
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