KATHMANDU, APRIL 10

Exacerbating air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has posed several health risks to its residents, and even slightest exposure to air while going outside has caused irritation, dry cough, and headaches.

Mamita Bhandari's eyes were burning while on her way to work today, "I have had eyes burn, dry cough, and headache for three days now."

Similarly, Milan Rayamajhi stated that he has been experiencing eye burns for more than three days. "I rinsed it with clean water, and then it became normal."

Uzma Banu Dhakal, on the other hand, has been suffering from burning sensations in her nostrils. "While going outside, I usually use footpaths, which take longer to reach my destinations. As a result, I think I have been experiencing this due to air pollution and dust," she told THT.

Unfortunately, they are not alone in facing these issues. It is everybody's plight in the city. According to the World Air Quality Index (AQI), Kathmandu Valley, which is home to over 3 million people, has consistently exceeded unhealthy air quality measures and continues to deteriorate. In past few weeks, it has become one of the world's most polluted cities.

AQI values above 100 pose a severe risk to human health. An AQI value of 0-50 is considered good for public health, 51–100 is moderate, 101-150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, it is considered unhealthy if measured at 151-200, very unhealthy if it is at 201-300 and hazardous if it is 300. Similarly, Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, 2019, mentions an AQI of above 300, disaster.

However, it has continuously crossed 200, which falls into a very unhealthy category.

Chief contributors to air pollution include carbon emissions from vehicles, dust from road repairs and construction, emissions from industries and brick kilns, poor waste management practices, and forest fires.

Wildfire smoke has serious health consequences, including eye problems. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Nepal reported forest fires in 130 locations across the country on Monday (April 8).

Environmentalist Barsha Parajuli said people should remain highly alert regarding it. She requested that people reduce their exposure to the air. "On top of existing other sources of air pollution, the massive forest fires we are witnessing, not just at national but regional levels, are turning out to be detrimental," she said. "Although doctors may not say, the cause of people's illnesses is due to air pollution."

Today's AQI value was 214-the very unhealthy category (201-300). When air quality is at such a point, not just people with health preconditions but everyone starts showing symptoms when exposed.

The symptoms may vary, like coughs, COPD, and eye irritation, among others.

Further, air quality is also associated with other health issues like heart attacks, asthma, lung cancer, high blood pressure, and paralysis.

"The exposure of pregnant women is said to have impacts on the baby in the womb, such as low birth weights," she added.

She also stressed that air pollution poses serious threats to our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal has the provisions of Right to Clean Environment. "However, it is being violated due to poor implementation of the policies and plans."

Article 30(1) stipulates, "Every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment." Similarly, Article 30(2) reads, "The victim shall have the right to obtain compensation, in accordance with law, for any damage caused by environmental pollution or degradation."

Furthermore, the Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, 2019, prohibits garbage burning, encourages the use of brooms and vacuums to clean the roads, and issues public notices to children, senior citizens, and patients to take extra precautions.

Similarly, the National Environment Policy of 2019 states that national standards for the prevention of water, air, soil, sound, electricity, magnetic waves, radioactive radiation, and hazardous chemical pollution and policies will be developed and implemented in order to curb pollutants.

The strategy calls for the establishment and operation of quality measurement centres in polluted areas, such as major cities and industrial establishments, to map air, water, and sound quality. The policy also requires that environmentally friendly technology be used to manage polluted smoke, dust, and water leaks from industries and other business sectors.

According to experts, solutions exist, but initiatives are lacking. The right people in the right place are urgently needed to curb air pollution.

"Reducing emissions from sources, for instance, vehicle emissions reduction by opting for electric vehicles, walking or cycling, and regular servicing of fossil based vehicles alone reduces 40% of emissions," said Barsha Parajuli. "Electric cooking instead LPGs/biomass burning and avoiding open burning (vegetation/waste) could be potential ways to curb air pollution."

Similarly, Badri Raj Dhungana, spokesperson for the Forests and Environment Ministry, stated that such issues stem from a lack of state investment, public awareness, and inter-agency coordination to improve air quality.

"Air pollution is increasing due to a lack of environmental impact assessments during the construction of various projects, as well as a lack of effective implementation of rules related to garbage management and environmental standards," Dhungana added. "Forwarding publicity activities to control forest fires was necessary because the forest fire exacerbated pollution."