• Vehicular emissions and smoke emitted by brick kilns are blamed for pollution

Kathmandu, August 11 The Department of Environment is preparing to conduct a study on sources of air pollution in Kathmandu and Lumbini. According to the department, the study will be jointly conducted in Kathmandu and Lumbini in coordination with Tribhuvan University. Information Officer and Senior Divisional Chemist at the department Shankar Prasad Paudel said the department and TU had joined hands to conduct the study to find ways to control air pollution. “So far, out study focused on increasing and decreasing patterns of air pollution. This never gave us a solution,” he told The Himalayan Times, adding, “So the department is preparing to conduct a numerical simulation study on air pollution and come up with solutions.” Vehicular emissions and smoke emitted by brick kilns are blamed for increasing pollution in the Kathmandu Valley. Earlier this year, air quality monitoring report of the department had shown that Lumbini is the most polluted place in the country. The department expressed its hope that the study would help identity sources of pollution in Kathmandu and Lumbini. “The study will help the department identity air pollution sources and come with solutions to control pollution,” SDC Paudel further added. The report of the study, which is expected to cost Rs 5.5 million, will be made public in a year. The Ratnapark-based air quality monitoring station recorded PM 2.5 at 109.08 micrograms per cubic metre on January 3 this year, whereas Lumbini recorded the highest PM 2.5 concentration at 173.03 micrograms per cubic metre on January 14. The government resumed air quality monitoring process by setting up a station at Ratnapark in August last year. Altogether five air quality monitoring stations are currently operational throughout the country.