KATHMANDU: Owing to the rising pollution in the Kathmandu valley, the government has now taken initiatives to curb dust and smoke in the valley by forming a separate unit under the Ministry of Forest and Environment.

As per the direction of Minister for Forest and Environment, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, a 'dust control unit' has been set up in the Ministry. For time being, Under Secretary Shankar Prasad Poudel is to lead the unit, said Ministry Secretary Prakash Mathema. "We formed the dust control unit in line with Minister's directive," he said, adding, "Now, we put the dust control in high priority.

Similarly, Minister Basnet said government was aware that the constitution has guaranteed citizen's right to live in a clean and healthy environment. "I'm informed that the general public have been facing tough time in the dust-filled capital city. Efforts are underway to control it soon, "the Minister committed.

He further shared that the Environment Department was preparing a report why the capital city was getting increasingly polluted. Appropriate measures would be taken to solve the problems as pointed out by the study report.

Moreover, the minister has called a discussion meeting with all concerned stakeholders to deliberate on this pressing issue.