Afforestation should begin and deforestation should come to an end. 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. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. 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 (. I would be very thankful to you if you publish my article on your esteemed daily.Hope the government will take immediate action on this matter. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. Also, news . Air pollution is a chronic problem in . 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. 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 . Reuters. 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 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep . 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. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local," said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. 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. The Biden Administration will make $250 million in grants available to develop strategies to cut climate pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday. Double whammy: air pollution and Covid-19, Photo: MONIKA DEUPALA n the past eight months of this, ir quality across Nepal has been deteriorating over the years., The first step in reducing air pollution is to let. In 2017, solar electricity costs dropped from $0.28 to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour for utility-scale photovoltaic solar power. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt byplants, particularly to those closer to the road. It urges the polluters to pay for the damage done to the natural environment. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. , Change the direct speech to indirect speech; She said, "I am going to London today". 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. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . El descarrilamiento en East Palestine, Ohio, se ha convertido en uno de los incidentes ms mediticos y ms politizados de su tipo en los ltimos aos. "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. This is a very great decision taken by the government. , : Which country has the most number of lakes. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 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. and a White House pledge to lend more support were met with skepticism in the community. When a vehicle passes by, dust is released into the air and pollutes the clothes that are kept for selling and the customers do not like the polluted ones. 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. 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. Green sticker = green light to pollute, Sonam Choekyi Lama. 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. 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. How to clean up Kathmandus air, Anil Chitrakar, Poisoning the air we breathe, Sonia Awale. KATHMANDU Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 25 February 2023. Department of Environment on January 5 had released a statement mentioning about the change in weather condition in the country and increasing level of pollution in Kathmandu valley. Adriana Paulo de Sousa Oliveira, Paula Assemany, Lidiane Covell, Maria Lcia Calijuri. In this level of air quality, everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Department of Information Registration No. And residents of the capital who smoke get a double whammy. Since PM2.5 are so small, they are also likely to hang in the air for longer, increasing the chances that they will be inhaled. The recent Environmental Performance Index 2016 has suggested increase in overall PM 2.5 in Nepal over the last decade. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. At a time when KathmandusAQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morningwith 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (AQI World map, below). Required fields are marked *. SAMPLE 2. 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. Globally, air pollution results in around seven million deaths annually. Prices range from Rs10 to Rs10,500. at Phora Darbar. News from Indian environment including wildlife like tiger, lion, elephants. People must stay safe indoors and not come out except for emergencies, the health ministry said. That said, old diesel vehicles are contributing significantly to the poor air quality in the city. 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. 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,. I dont remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past, Khadka told Reuters. On Wednesday, the daily average PM 2.5 level for the western city clocked around 200, which is deemed unhealthy. 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. The governments standard level is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. That compares with the governments standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Of course, a masks effectiveness depends on how well it fits on the face, but a simple, disposable surgical mask can be more cost-effective than those fancy looking expensive ones. Three members of the Paudel family followed suit, but they never gave much thought to the quality of the air they were breathing in. Air pollution is also the main environmental risk factor for non-communicable diseases like cancers and lung diseases, concludes a recent report by the NCD Alliance and the Forum of International Respiratory Scientists: The challenge is great, but the cure is straight-forward it must be met by national, regional, local and personal responses. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. In . 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. Southeast Asia has emerged as a hot spot for plastic pollution . But air pollution issues are continue to increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) reportsfine particulate matter of up to 140 g m-3 - which is aroundtentimes higher than the WHO limit. Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Environmental pollution is one of the greatest threats of the world today. ONTARIO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kickstarting the autonomous bus revolution in the US, the city of Houston is set to receive the first Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Buy America-compliant mid-size autonomous bus in the US. Submissions Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. The COP27 sponsor's products were the most commonly found items by volunteers researching plastic pollution. All living being birds, animals, insects, plants and even human beings are victims of pollution. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. 'We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change.'. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. In Nepal, COPD is the second major cause of death after Ischemic Heart Diseases. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. One of the cheapest energy sources. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. 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. The moves sets the stage for the agency to issue tighter controls on mercury, a neurotoxin emitted by power plants. 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. Fri 3 Mar 2023 06.19 EST. It said that air pollution is dependent on weather system, and due to this fact, the pollution may last for some time or may worsen further with the passing of time. We know what we're looking at when brown haze settles over a city, exhaust billows across a busy highway, or a plume rises from a smokestack. 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. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. 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. In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. Sonia Awale May 31, 2019. The environment has been in a better condition. This is also indicated in maroon. 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 measurement between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy (purple) and states 'health warnings of emergency conditions'. With New Delhi and parts of northern India suffering under hazardous pollution levels, Nepal needs to take heed and prepare accordingly, environmental activists say. Only a year ago, snow clad mountains shone brightly in the winter and we could see the mountains and hills clearly. Kathmandu Valley has seen a rapid increase in vehicle numbers in the last 15 years. The moves reflect residents deep-seated mistrust of government screenings of toxic chemicals and fears of long-term effects from the train derailment. 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. Krishna Kumar, a local business person at Kirtipur explained:Manybusinesseshavegone down due to high amount of road dust. The derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals upended a region of Ohio where generations of families could afford to buy acres of land, raise livestock and plant gardens. Iturges the polluters to pay for thedamage done to the natural environment. editors@nepalitimes.com | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005602 Because indoor air pollution levels are also high, ideally you would have to wear a mask 24 hours a day, says Pangeni. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. The effect of dust is not limited to human beings, but is also felt by plants, particularly to those closer to the road. The PM 10 concentration in major cities such as Kathmandu is . This may collapse the whole ecosystem in general. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. 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 report highlights dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity and the climate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause many of the health conditions associated with increased vulnerability to Covid-19, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, said theState of Global Air 2020released last October. But it shall be helpful only if it is implemented. Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. Besides the quantity of fuel consumption, the poor road conditionof older vehicles istriggeringair quality problems in the valley. This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. AQI level between 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and anything above 301 is regarded as Hazardous. AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration . A mask at best is a temporary solution and does not block harmful gases. Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. 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. There are dozens of varieties of masks available in the market, along with air purifiers that cost more than Rs130,000. 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. In 2000 / 2001 there were 24,003 vehicles registered in Kathmandu and this has increased dramatically to 79,822 in 2015 / 2016. The Ecologist is an environmental news and analysis website with a focus on environmental, social and economic justice. Other global AQI measurement sites likeIQAirput Kathmandus pollution level at 487 the highest among cities in the region. Haze engulfs Kathmandu valley as the air pollution increases to unhealthy levels, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. 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 I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. 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. Thefts of the pollution control devices from cars and trucks more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, and jumped dramatically again in 2021 . Department of Environment on January 5 had released a statement mentioning about the change in weather condition in the country and increasing level of pollution in Kathmandu valley. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vansaccountedfor 92 percentof total registered vehicles in Bagmatiby the end of 2014-15. hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. 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. It is a call to mobilize, say the authors who . This indicates, around a quarter of the total deaths due to air pollution in Nepal are in Kathmandu. Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. The government should ban the use of old vehicles. Dealing with a problem that is transboundary in nature requires strong regional cooperation, she said. 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. Air pollution has had a massive impact on Nepalese people. Some air pollution is not seen, but its pungent smell alerts you. The study sounds the alarm that the growing global problem, which scientists are only beginning to understand, requires urgent and immediate action. Phil Murphy but which has yet to take full effect should prevent the . Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. Air pollution frequently causes osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and kidney diseases. systema Fewer, though still substantial minorities ranging between 40% and 45% . 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. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nearly two weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, confusing messages from government officials have frayed locals trust. In Nepal, 35,000 people die annually due to illnesses caused by polluted air. While asked about the poorest air quality index of the capital city, Shankar Prasad Poudel, information officer for the Department of Environment, said that three major factors have affected the air quality of the Valley. Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . For many influencers across the political spectrum, claims about the environmental effects of the train derailment have gone far beyond known facts. Trans-boundary pollution can affect our air quality too as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, connected to Nepal, are also polluted. 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. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home across the country. Such particles will not reach Kathmandu because it is surrounded by hills. Your email address will not be published. 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. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vans accounted for 92 percent of total registered vehicles in Bagmati by the end of 2014-15. 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. It was interesting to note that despite the manic traffic and lack of infrastructure many city roads were dirt tracks, with no traffic lights evident. But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. Looking at the air quality data over the last few years, it appears that Nepal made amarked improvement from 2018 to 2019, with a PM2.5 reading of 54.15 g/m beingrecorded as an average over 2018 as compared to 44.46 g/m in 2019.
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