In this 21st century, world is connected close together with the technologies but the intimacy we had with nature is getting feeble. With growing industrialization and increasing population several environmental crisis have become a major global concern,  Air Pollution is one of them but is overlooked time and again. Air pollution has become the world's single biggest environmental health risk, linked to around 7 million – or nearly one in eight deaths in 2012 (WHO). Though Nepal covers an area of only 147181 sq. km, unmanaged urbanization and growing economy has an alarming notification in degrading air quality. Though the village and small towns like mine are comparatively less prone to this crisis because of less population density, less industries and less private vehicles the major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj etc. have serious public health risks due to air borne diseases.

According to Yale University's Environmental Performance Index 2014, Nepal ranks 177th among the 178 countries rated for air quality. Already, the aggregate environmental health costs associated with poor environmental management are estimated to reach close to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), representing a significant burden of Nepal?s economy (World Bank, 2008).

Major Causes of Air pollution in Nepal

-  About 83.3 percent households of Nepal (Urban 39.1% and rural 92.3%) use solid fuel as primary source of energy (NDHS 2006)

- Increasing trend of private vehicles especially motorbikes, scooters and cars

- Road widening projects lingering since years in Kathmandu, Chitwan and other cities and muddy dusty ill- paved/ unpitched roads in most of the villages and towns

- Exhaust from factories and industries

Apart from above mentioned causes, Brick kilns and industries with no emission monitoring systems/rules, forest fires, burning of waste (especially plastic) anywhere, no isolated smoking zone, burning of vehicle tires, explosion bombs during the protest  etc are other contributing factors

Effects of Air pollution

- Accumulation of GHGs such as carbon monoxide, methane etc leading to climate change

- Adverse public health issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, lung cancer etc.

- Chemical reactions of harmful gases may lead to acid rain hazardous to living beings as well as physical structures like monuments

- Natural protective blanket i.e. ozone layer that shields harmful UV rays entering our earth may be depleted due to harmful gases and chemicals like Chlorofluorocarbon

Note: Not only humans but also other animals are affected and forced to change habitat due to air pollution in their region

Efforts in Nepal to monitor air quality and control air pollution

- National conservation Strategy 1988 that focused on needs to establish policies in response to air pollution and emphasized to develop standards and establish the monitoring and evaluation system

- Transport management Act 1992 and Regulation 1997, empowers the Government of Nepal to determine standards in mechanical conditions of the vehicle, the amount of pollution discharged by vehicles and the lifespan of vehicles

 - The Industrial Enterprises Act, 1992, has given privilege to those environmental friendly industries with reduction of up to 50% in the taxable income for the investment in industrial process or equipment with very minimum effect on the environment

- Environmental Protection Act 1996

- In March 2001, the Government of Nepal initiated the establishment of the first permanent ambient air quality monitoring system in Kathmandu Valley located at six different stations

- Transport Policy 2002 has shown its commitment to promote zero emission vehicles and expanding the solar, electric vehicles throughout the country which directly affects the health of the people

- Industrial Development Perspective Plan 2002, (updated in 2004) gives emphasis to enhanced productivity in the Nepalese industrial sector, with the incorporation of the Cleaner Production/Energy Efficiency/Environmental Management System (CP/ EE/EMS) as well

- In 2004 ban on brick kilns based on traditional technology at Bhaktapur city. Emission standards for brick kilns of 900 mg/m?by Industrial Promotion Board in 2004

- Phased out three wheeler diesel tempos (1999), three wheeler two-stroke engine vehicles, and 20 years old taxis from Kathmandu Valley (2004)

Besides this Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) established in 1996 under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MOEST) launched several projects like biogas support program, improved cooking stoves, mini hydro- plants etc. Several eco-club have launched botanical gardening and road side plantation campaigns, awareness campaign, celebration of International Ozone day, cycling events, KTM Walks campaign that avoids vehicle for certain hours in the restricted area etc.,

Gaps and Suggestions

No regular monitoring of ambient air quality in Kathmandu valley. Air quality monitoring stations of the Kathmandu valley are not operated since March 2009

No air quality monitoring stations in urban areas outside the Kathmandu valley

 No availability of indoor air quality data

In order to cope with this challenge we need mass awareness and sensitization, switching to renewable clean energy, effective air quality motoring system, Industrial emission check and standardization, disaster preparedness to avoid forest fires, provision of special sites for waste management and restriction on haphazard refuse burning, sustainable planning for road and construction activities so as to provide minimal damage to the environment and so on.

We should just keep in mind that single drop of waters make a sea, so let us join hands to control air pollution in any way possible from our side.

Sources:

Situation Analysis of Environmental Health in Nepal 2009, Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC)

Air pollution status, Kathmandu Nepal by Prof. Dr. Bimala Shrestha

Environmental statistics of Nepal 2011

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