30^th Ambassadorship

Title: [Thematic report] Air Pollution

Month 2, Report 2

Nepal is a landlocked nation in South Asia that is renowned for both its natural beauty and its extensive cultural history. However, the nation is dealing with a serious air pollution crisis despite its stunning natural surroundings. Millions of people in Nepal are daily affected by air pollution, which has turned into a severe health risk.

Let’s discuss on Some of the major causes of Air Pollution in Nepal. Burning of solid waste, brick kilns, industrial pollutants, and vehicle emissions are the main sources of air pollution in Nepal. In recent years, there have been a lot more cars on the road, which has greatly increased air pollution. In addition, the industrial sector has expanded significantly, and the absence of adequate laws and oversight has led to the emission of dangerous pollutants into the atmosphere. Other significant sources of air pollution are brick kilns and the burning of solid waste.

Air pollution adversely affects people's health, especially the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to over 7 million premature deaths annually throughout the globe, including about 27,000 deaths in Nepal alone. It also contributes to a number of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, including heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis, and asthma. In addition to harming crops and other vegetation, air pollution also has adverse effects on the ecosystem, including climate change.

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has extremely bad air quality, according to a research done by the Department of Environment (DoE). The study discovered that airborne levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a significant air contaminant, were 70–80% higher than those suggested by the WHO. According to a different research by the Ministry of Health and Population, air pollution in Nepal was a contributing factor in about 50% of fatalities. The study also found that over 300,000 hospital admissions and over 6 million occurrences of illness were caused by air pollution.

 

Measures done by the Nepalese government to reduce air pollution in the nation include a number of different actions. The 'Clean Energy Nepal' campaign was launched by the government in 2019 to encourage the usage of clean energy sources including solar and hydropower. To cut automobile emissions, the government has also made it illegal to import any vehicles that are older than 20 years. In addition, the government has begun to advocate for the use of bicycles as an environmentally friendly method of transportation as well as public transportation, including electric buses.

In conclusion, air pollution in Nepal is a serious issue that has to be addressed immediately. The burning of solid waste and brick kilns are the main sources of air pollution in Nepal, along with vehicle and industrial pollutants. Premature deaths, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, as well as negative environmental repercussions, are only a few of the serious effects of air pollution. In order to address air pollution, the Nepalese government has implemented a number of policies, including encouraging the use of clean energy sources, prohibiting the import of used cars, and supporting public transit. However, more work needs to be done to solve this problem, and everyone in Nepal must do their part to lower air pollution levels.