KATHMANDU: Lumbini is polluted than Kathmandu by more than one and a half times, said the Department of Environment (DoE). Data received from the air quality monitoring system shows that Lumbini has more polluted particles than Kathmandu, according to Joint Secretary of the DoE Mohan Dev Joshi.

Air pollution from the Indian border and dust particles from cement industries around the area are to blame for Lumbini becoming more polluted, according to preliminary report by the DoE.

The DoE has set up 12 stations of air quality monitoring system across the country including Pulchok, Ratnapark, Kirtipur, Shankhapark, Bhaisepati, Bhaktapur in Kathmandu valley, and Dhulikhel, Sauraha, Lumbini, Pokhara outside the valley.

The 24-hour data analysis from the pollution monitoring stations show that pollution is less in the day time from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and higher in the mornings and evenings. Likewise, the period between Kartik (October/November) to Falgun (February/March) is comparatively highly polluted than rest of the months.

In Kathmandu, the high level of pollution is attributed to vehicle emission, excessive dust, emission from brick kilns, among others.

Meanwhile, speaking at a programme organised by the Department today, Joint-secretary at the Environment Ministry Dr Ram Prasad Lamsal said, though there is no dearth of data and resources concerning environment in Nepal, failure to effectively mobilise and use them has obstructed the desired outcome.

According to information shared at the programme, around 47 per cent of the vehicles with green stickers fail the vehicle emission test. Emission from the rising number of vehicles tops the list of reasons behind growing pollution in Kathmandu.

However, the number of vehicles being registered in Kathmandu is rapidly increasing. In the fiscal year 2062/63, around 28,000 new vehicles were registered which increased to almost 98,000 in 2072/73.