newspaper article on environmental pollution in nepal
Air pollution is slashing years from billions of people's lives around the world and is a greater threat to life expectancy than smoking, HIV/AIDS or war, a report published Wednesday shows.. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government that is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Kathmandu valley requires half of the total gasoline consumed in Nepal. The victims of air pollutionurgently requirean appropriate action plan for mitigating these problems. The website is owned and published by The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity. Thenumberofvehiclesin the valley during the last two decades has increasedninefold,and reached 922,900 in total during 2015, according to the Department of Transport Management inNepal. EIAs must be submitted to Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) for approval, whereas IEEs can be approved by other relevant ministries. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles such as jeeps, cars and vans accounted for 92 percent of total registered vehicles in Bagmati by the end of 2014-15. Globally, air pollution results in around sevenmillion deaths annually. "This also adds to the risk of COVID-19," said Sher Bahadur Pun, a doctor at a tropical and infectious disease hospital in the capital. In 2013, a team of Cambridge University scientists were in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, developing a device to measure . Air pollution on the Nepali side is mostly locally generated.. D espite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandu's air quality has worsened in the past two years. Coca-Cola is named world's worst plastic polluter for a fifth year. Efforts for improving air quality should be of utmost priority now so that safety of citizens' health can be ensured. Subsequent increase in number of vehicles is one of the main culprits of air pollution [ 33, 34 ]. Collective action from many sectors is needed to assure that everyone can breathe clean air.. We should work for the betterment of the environment because the nature has provided a lot to us and we shouldnt be disgraceful towards it. The average global citizen loses 2.2 years of life with today's levels of air pollution and, if nothing changes, that adds up to . The birds identified as having the disease, named . Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Sunil Paudel, Basudevs son, stopped going on morning walks last year after learning that Kathmandus air quality was reaching unsafe levels. Ironically, World No Tobacco Day falls on 31 May, just four days ahead of Environment Day. Officials at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. The Art of Dealing with Breaking Up: Get over those blues and Take Break-Ups Lightly. Factors contributing to this level of pollution are local, said Shankar Prasad Paudel, information officer with the Department of Environment. Change to compound, We took a tour of the most amazing Chateau during our holiday, which we discovered . by accident.a. A Love Beyond Measure: The Unforgettable Reunion, , . Moreover, Kathmandu is ranked as one of the most polluted cities in Asia: according to the airvisual.com, Kathmandu is the seventh most polluted city. Tags: environment, pollution, Philippines Coronavirus Bulletin Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. When a vehicle passes by, dust is released into the air and pollutes the clothes that are kept for selling and the customers do not like the polluted ones. Despite public awareness and relentless media coverage, Kathmandus air quality has worsened in the past two years. Pollution means decline of the original qualities of the elements of the environment like air, water, land, etc. The US government held a meeting in Kathmandu this month of its embassy staff specialising in air pollution based in 30 Asian countries. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. "I don't remember this level of pollution in Kathmandu in the past," Khadka told Reuters. For example, an EIA for a major highway would need . This index is coloured red. That said, old diesel vehicles are contributing significantly to the poor air quality in the city. It may bring various adverse impact to the environment. Non-smokers in Kathmandu are now suffering from diseases that you would expect to see afflicting chain smokers. Due to the industrial revolution from the late 20th century the environment has been polluted to such an extent that now it has become a global issue. Basudev Paudel is in his late fifties and at his age, he believes that regular morning walks are important for keeping healthy. But there is a difference between the nature of air pollution in New Delhi and Kathmandu, said Tuladhar. Getting prepared now will make that transition smoother. Department of Environment on January 5 had released a statement mentioning about the change in weather condition in the country and increasing level of pollution in Kathmandu valley. Q : Which one is the capital of Spain. The measurement between 201 and 300 is said to be very unhealthy (purple) and states 'health warnings of emergency conditions'. Officials at Nepals only international airport in Kathmandu said poor visibility, which was down to 1,000 metres on Monday, widely disrupted flights. As women play a significant role in the management and use of energy sources for household cooking, they are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution [7]. All of these vehicles degrade the air quality byemitting huge quantitiesof smoke into the ambient environment. Yet, 2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with . The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep into the lungs, was 214 micrograms per cubic metre in the upscale area of Bhaisepati in Kathmandu on Sunday, Department of Environment data showed. The environment of the industrial areas should be properly managed by the industries and concerned agencies. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. That compares with the governments standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Ever since the lockdown started in Nepal, there has been a . AQI is a composite measurement of the concentration of particulate matter below 10 and 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen dioxide and ground ozone. To The Editor The . 21 October 2021 Climate and Environment. However, two years later, the action plan has neither been finalised nor enforced. Hourly AQI data showed Simara's air quality as very hazardous at 8:00 am. The visibility in Kathmandu valley has degraded to a significant level. Our environment determines our health and civilization. According to Poudel, the pollution level in the border towns of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can slightly influence pollution along the border area. But it shall be helpful only if it is implemented. The views expressed in the articles published on this site may not necessarily reflect those of the trust, its trustees or its staff. There is a proportionately very high consumption of gasoline and diesel inthe valley. Last modified on Fri 3 Mar 2023 20.17 EST. Write a newspaper article on environmental pollution in Nepal to be published in a newspaper. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. The same report ranked Nepal the eighth most polluted country in the world. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . The Department of Environments own measuring station in parts of Kathmandu showed the AQI staying above 400 all day on Monday. Similarly, Dhangadhi was third in line to have the most degraded air quality among the list of stations measuring the AQI. At a time when KathmandusAQI was hitting record highs on Tuesday morningwith 438, the New Delhi suburb of Noida recorded less than 151 (AQI World map, below). By Leah Douglas. World news on global warming, climate change, wildlife, pollution, carbon business and climate politics. This has a negative impact on sectors that are critical to many economies, including tourism, shipping and fisheries. But air pollution issues are continue to increase. Nearly two weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, confusing messages from government officials have frayed locals trust. The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion & analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture & arts, sports, movies, food & travel, books, education, auto & more at kathmandupost.com In addition, residential and commercial-scale solar electricity expenses have dropped from $0.52 to $0.16 and $0.40 to $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, respectively. The governments standard level is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. The World Health Organisation (WHO)s guidelines state that AQI should be below 35, and the concentration of particles below 2.5 microns should be below 25 g/mover a 24 hour period. The garbage should be properly disposed and managed. Education ministry spokesman Deepak Sharma said about eight million students have been affected by the closures. Department of Information Registration No. Air pollution is a chronic problem in . This company thinks bacteria can help fix fashion's water pollution problem. Site By: Hiti Design, On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at the. Quantifying the socio-economic impact of air pollution on a country will be vital in raising awareness among the public as well as policy makers and leaders, but as we have seen in Nepal it does not immediately lead to policy change. China will be the host nation and will showcase its dramatic progress in cutting pollution. But public outrage does not seem to translate into action to clean up the air. When you can frame the problem in terms of how many people are dying and how much productivity is lost, then it becomes much more urgent.. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Submissions Similarly, the hotel business (khaja ghar) of Ram Karki has also slowed down majorly due to road dust emission. Around 100 people die every day in Nepal because of air pollution. Publisher: Kunda Dixit, Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Of course, a masks effectiveness depends on how well it fits on the face, but a simple, disposable surgical mask can be more cost-effective than those fancy looking expensive ones. Environmental Health issues are a not major risk factors for the Global Burden of Diseases. Editor Online: Sahina Shrestha | Executive Editor: Sonia Awale The derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals upended a region of Ohio where generations of families could afford to buy acres of land, raise livestock and plant gardens. Rather than benefits, morning walks could have serious health impacts, Sunil said. Mass media have been a critical avenue to reach, communicate, and influence people on the alarming intensity and frequency of environmental problems [1, 2, 3].The world is facing a multitude of environmental problems, ranging from biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, spread of the vector-borne diseases and climate change at varying spatial and temporal scales [4]. It was interesting to note that despite the manic traffic and lack of infrastructure many city roads were dirt tracks, with no traffic lights evident. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a population of around 3.5 million. There has also been a 25% increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. With neighbouring India and China committed to manufacturing only electric automobiles by 2030, Nepal will be forced to go electric. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause many of the health conditions associated with increased vulnerability to Covid-19, such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, said theState of Global Air 2020released last October. Nepal, with a population of 30 million people, is located in the Himalayas between China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit 37,399 and 9943 respectively, according to a Republica news report published on 23 November 2019. This is a grave threat to public health, the government should have declared an emergency and taken urgent measures to curb pollution, says environmental expert Bhushan Tuladhar. Furthermore, the life expectancy in the Kathmandu Valley is four years less than that of other Nepalese regions. Our aim is to educate and inform as many people as possible about the wonders of nature, the crisis we face and the best solutions and methods in managing that crisis. In 2000 / 2001 there were 24,003 vehicles registered in Kathmandu and this has increased dramatically to 79,822 in 2015 / 2016. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water . An article by three Brazilian researchers published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research aims to contribute to progress in this field by proposing a novel perspective on particle . The moves reflect residents deep-seated mistrust of government screenings of toxic chemicals and fears of long-term effects from the train derailment. Whilstthis shows an improvement over the course of one year, when observing datataken from the capital city . "We found that the pollution exposure was really, really high, suggesting potential for substantial health impacts of air pollution in this region," says Gurung, who is now a doctoral candidate at F&ES. 25th Jan, 2023. Air pollution is even more dangerous than previously thought, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned . When a vehicle passes by, dust is released into the air and pollutes the clothes that are kept for selling and the customers do not like the polluted ones. I know..mom's got a lock on literally everythin so y we gotta wait..! A mask at best is a temporary solution and does not block harmful gases. In Nepal, a Cabinet decision last year adopted the Department of Environments guidelines for air pollution to declare a health emergency if AQI exceeded 300 meaning the government can ban open burning, close factories, and take measures to reduce vehicles on the roads. ? A road-widening spree, earthquake destruction and delays in fixing streets dug up to replace water mains has turned the Valley into a dust bowl. Similarly, household air pollution (HAP) was over 18-folds higherduring our survey in 2007 than the WHO recommended guidelines . New road Kathmandu. The moves sets the stage for the agency to issue tighter controls on mercury, a neurotoxin emitted by power plants. This can significantly affect the local environment and the health of people living nearby. Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. If there is any health advisory from the government, our family will stop going on regular morning walks, said Sunil. Similarly, one-fifth of the total diesel is used in Kathmandu. Additionally, problems like littering and excessive carbon emissions are causing problems for both people and the environment. The environment has been in a better condition. Air quality in the capital has deteriorated recently but average pollution readings were not available. In Nepal and Kathmandu the annual premature death due to air pollution hit37,399 and 9943 respectively,according to aRepublica news report published on 23 November 2019. Electrified public transport would have been a good place to start, but 6 months after Prime Minister KP Oli launched an electric mobility action plan to turn at least 20% of public vehicles into battery-operated ones by 2020, progress has been slow. The company's plan to a second gas-fired power plant next to the existing one is being opposed by residents of the mainly minority and low-income communities around the plant who say an environmental justice law signed over two years ago by New Jersey Gov. Thefts of the pollution control devices from cars and trucks more than quadrupled from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020, and jumped dramatically again in 2021 . The size of dust particles are larger compared to biomass burning or vehicular emissions. Dust from construction works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city of four million people, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say. The government should really take a closer look at what their decision might lead the environment and the whole country to in the future. Air pollution is a chronic problem in the rapidly growing capital city of Kathmandu and an additional headache for the government that is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. More than 65% of all deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in 2019 were linked to air pollution in Nepal. Or, download a free sample copy of a past issue of Resurgence & Ecologist. A new disease caused solely by plastics has been discovered in seabirds. Since the festival of Diwali ended last week, the air quality in New Delhi has drastically deteriorated, resulting in air pollution levels reaching nearly 10 times healthy limits. Air pollution regularly exceeds recommended safe levels. South Asia News: KATHMANDU: Nepal has ordered schools to close for four days after air pollution climbed to hazardous levels, forcing millions of students to stay home. But this winter, the haze barely let us see through it. Over the weekend, pollution levels hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. Also, news from United Nations. Plastic overconsumption and mismanagement of plastic waste is a growing menace, causing landfills to overflow, choking rivers, and threatening marine ecosystems. (left). Nestled between China and India - two of the world's biggest polluters - Nepal often . A visit to East Palestine from the head of the E.P.A. The World Health Organisation ('WHO') has reported that PM2.5 levels of particulate matter in urban areas of Nepal . New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. With a staggering 42 percent of the population living below the poverty line and only 27 percent with improved access to sanitation, there are quite a number of issues facing Nepal. Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and researchwith rare exceptions, Healthy youth presence perks up Lumbini Provincial Assembly. Controlling tobacco in Nepal is already such a big challenge, butKathmandus degrading air quality has doubled the disease burden, says health activist Shanta Lall Mulmi. Most make various performance claims based on lab tests but factors like the masks fit play important roles. Taking action to tackle the pollution in Nepal Arjun Khadka, 65, who owns a grocery store in Kathmandu, said he experienced itching and burning sensations in the eyes and nose which could be due to pollution. It remained at above 500 from 10PM till 5AM, falling to 480 at 7AM on Tuesday. We could barely see the birds flying around before but nowadays we can see the birds chirping and flying up in the sky due to decrease in air pollution. Rivers, ponds and lakes should not be polluted because it affects animals and plants lives too. The strategy guiding the work for The Ecologist for the years 2023 to 2026 has now been published. By Sophie Wodzak,Emily Cochrane and Lisa Friedman. 2022: Emergency mode for the environment. In Nepal, around 8,700 people, mainly women and children, die prematurely each year due to illnesses related to indoor air pollution from solid biomass fuel burning [8]. I have started wearing a mask whenever Im outdoors.. But poor air quality from as far as New Delhi cannot penetrate deep into Nepal.. The level between 401 and 500 is very hazardous. A man performs morning workout with smog covering Kathmandu, Copyright 2023 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. In Chabahil, Sunil remains concerned for his fathers health, who continues to take his walk despite the morning haze. Nepal is not far behind with 98% of its people living in such areas. Why this advert is dangerous to people and nature and shows advertising needs new controls. Dust from construction works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city of four million people, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say. The 24-hour average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep into the lungs, was 214 micrograms per cubic metre in the upscale area of Bhaisepati in Kathmandu on Sunday, Department of Environment data showed.That compares with the government's standard level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. A recent study by scientists from Peking University (China) and the University of Connecticut (USA) [1] has revealed that 1 in 15 lost pregnancies in South Asia may be due to air . Photo Courtesy: Department of Environment/Air Quality Montoring, President candidate Poudel reaches RSP office seeking votes, US, Russia hold highest-level talks since Ukraine invasion, Scathing report on Nepal's security controls, In Pictures: Air Pollution continues its grip over Kathmandu Valley, China acknowledges Sino-Indian brawl at Galwan Valley from last year for the first time, Covid vaccination drive in Nepal could be affected with Indian govt halting AstraZeneca export. ? hit their highest in the capital since the government began keeping records in 2016, government official Shankar Paudel told Reuters. PM2.5, or Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns thick, are among the most dangerous of air particles as they can get past the nose and throat to enter the lungs and even the bloodstream.
What Do The Golden Candlesticks Represent In The Crucible,
Funeral Homes In Pleasantville, Nj,
Articles N