KATHMANDU, APRIL 7
In light of the deteriorating air quality of the Kathmandu Valley, experts related to the environment have expressed concern over the increasing air pollution and drawn the government's attention to immediately implement solutions.
They have emphasised cooperation and coordination among all concerned agencies to prevent the increasing pollution across the country, including Kathmandu.
Today, while presenting and speaking in Kathmandu, experts and stakeholders at the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ)'s 'Hakahaki Debate' titled 'Air Pollution Chaos: Who is Responsible?' urged them not to underestimate the current pollution situation.
Experts emphasised that it is impractical to find solutions to the problem only after it has become complicated, despite the facts and evidence that pollution increases every year during the dry season due to factors, including forest fires.
"The primary problem is forest fires, and pollution has increased due to burning agricultural residues in fields and garbage in open spaces," said air quality expert Bhupendra Das. "Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are at risk of pollution every year; we should not delay in finding solutions."
The Environment Department has issued a warning of high air pollution until mid-June, urging everyone to exercise extreme caution.
According to officials and experts, data show that there were 253 wildfires reported across the country last Wednesday. The forest fires affected up to 45 districts.
According to Das, Nepal's role in the burning of agricultural residues in open spaces in the world is around two per cent. He stated that the smoke emitted by Euro 1 and Euro 3 standard vehicles, which are slated for replacement, as well as pollution from industrial factories, are becoming a regular source of the problem.
As per Khushboo Sharma, an air pollution analyst at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), pollution in Nepal rises annually between January and April.
The 'Air Quality Index' (AQI) has reached a risk level for human health in all three districts of the valley.
When the AQI reaches above 200, it is considered very unhealthy. When the AQI exceeds 301, it is considered hazardous to human health.
On April 5, the AQI in Bhaktapur reached 365. Prior to that, and in recent days, officials from the Ministry of Health and Population have reported an increase in the number of patients with respiratory and other health problems across the country as a result of high levels of toxic particles in the air.
According to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, chronically ill patients and children with respiratory problems are more affected by pollution. "Every year, 19 per cent of total deaths of Nepalis are related to respiratory problems (pollution), and the average life expectancy of Nepalis is decreasing by 4.8 per cent due to pollution."
He stated that the problem is becoming more complicated as a result of the failure to implement previous policies and action plans aimed at reducing pollution, as well as a lack of coordination and cooperation among agencies.
Budhathoki stated that, despite the fact that the government collects three billion rupees more in revenue for pollution control each year, the problem will not be solved by government agencies issuing press releases. Previous plans and action plans have only been on paper.
Several ophthalmologists have also warned of eye problems, including conjunctivitis, dryness and swelling of the eye due to dirty air. Even the dermatologists have advised the public to stay at home. Gynaecologists and obstetricians have also argued that pregnant women suffer most in such adverse weather.
Meanwhile, addressing the programme, Director General of the Department of Environment Gyanraj Subedi argued that instead of blaming and counter-blaming each other, all agencies and individuals should be disciplined in their respective locations to reduce pollution.
He stated that in order to prevent pollution, the department monitors the environmental aspects of industries and factories and draws attention to those that need to be improved, as well as conducting vehicle pollution tests.
Subedi stated that the department has been monitoring vehicles in collaboration with the Traffic Police, Department of Transport Management, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur Metropolitan Offices. However, he stated that vehicle pollution tests require a separate parking area and resources. Presenting the fact that more than 50 per cent of vehicles failed the pollution tests, he admitted, "Even government vehicles fail the tests."
Subedi claimed that there is no need to close schools and implement an odd-even system in vehicles to address the current pollution problem. He emphasised the need for a national action plan to find long-term solutions to pollution prevention, saying, "If there are flaws, they will be addressed. A workout is underway on the national action plan."
Although environmental activist Bhola Bhattarai emphasised the importance of a national action plan, other speakers at the programme stated that it was limited to the 'Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Action Plan' developed earlier in 2019.
They stated that pollution has a direct impact on communities engaged in agriculture and daily firewood gathering and that pollution prevention would be effective with the local government's support and cooperation.
