Skip to main content

Kathmandu Valley: deteriorating air quality and measuring stations


In February 2013, Nepal’s Ministry of Environment released data on air pollution, which was described as “alarming.”

Republica (February 26, 2013) reported the latest air quality data which was recorded in the first week of February. In Kathmandu Valley (made up of three districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur) recorded PM10 “far beyond the national air quality standard.” PM10 (Particulate Matter 10) is the level of fine particles in the air with diameters less than or equal to 10 micrometres. Nepal’s national air quality standard of pollutant PM10 is 120 micrograms per cubic metre (UG/M3 – chemical vapours, fumes, or dust in the ambient air as a measurable unit). Bhaktapur measured 150 UG/M3, Thamel measured 200 UG/M3 and Putalisadak measured 300 UG/M3. However, Machchhegaun showed just 70 UG/M3.

Six air quality monitoring stations in Kathmandu Valley, funded by the Danish government, with two stations in Kirtipur and Patan funded by the Ministry of Environment in 2002, remained inactive for 5 years. Currently only four air quality monitoring stations are functional. The two government-funded stations will not be functioning for some time because the ministry is having difficulty finding spare parts for the equipment and maintenance. The four functioning stations (Danish-funded) received spare parts “with great difficulty.”

The previous air quality data was released in 2008. At that time, Patan, Thamel and Putalisadak (suburbs in Kathmandu Valley) showed the highest air pollution levels ranging from 120 UG/M3 to 135 UG/M3.

ICIMOD, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Nepal, recently released a report stating that the Kalanki to Thankot route is “massively polluted.” The study of Kathmandu Valley residents, from 2009-2011, reported a significant rise in respiratory diseases. ICIMOD called for immediate steps to tackle the problem of air pollution in the Valley.


The rise in air pollution in Kathmandu Valley is attributed to the rapid increase in urbanization and the accompanying increase in the number of vehicles contributing to gases and solid particulate matter in the air, the ICIMOD report stated. The high level of particulate matter in the air contributes to health risks, particularly of permanent residents, and particularly in the dry winter months. The report stated that the main pollutants in the Valley were particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide.


The ICIMOD atmospheric environment specialist maintained that the city did not need a device to measure the pollutants because it was noted in the health of residents on a day-to-day basis. However, as in other countries, air quality stations can warm residents of unusually high levels of pollutants, and the government can take steps to reduce levels. With recording and monitoring, the measurements can ensure government accountability as well as provide evidence of progress.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2016 update on Rike Park, Tbilisi: from construction to busy park

From a flat patch of uninteresting dirt, Rike Park in Tbilisi, Georgia, has transformed in four years (from 2014-2016) into a busy park full of trees, flower beds, sculptures, fountains, and events. Rike (Rikhe) Park is on the left bank of the Mt’k’vari River (the Kura River) near the Old City of Tbilisi. The Peace Bridge links the right bank to Rike Park. Rike Park is below the hillside Presidential Palace and, via cable car, it is the starting point for the ride to Sololaki Ridge (with the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue). The glass box-shaped cable car terminus was opened on 23 June 2012, and since then the park has continually developed into a ‘people’s park’ where people can walk around, eat at the nearby restaurants, sit next to the statue of American president Ronald Reagan, climb the steps to Avlabari district, and access the sights of Meidan Square, the Peace Bridge, the Metekhi Church, the Old City, the waterfall, the sulphur baths, and t...
Post a Comment
Read more

The acacia thorn trees of Kenya

There are nearly 800 species of acacia trees in the world, and most don’t have thorns. The famous "whistling thorn tree" and the Umbrella Thorn tree of Kenya are species of acacia that do have thorns, or spines. Giraffes and other herbivores normally eat thorny acacia foliage, but leave the whistling thorn alone. Usually spines are no deterrent to giraffes. Their long tongues are adapted to strip the leaves from the branches despite the thorns. The thorny acacia like dry and hot conditions. The thorns typically occur in pairs and are 5-8 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. Spines can be straight or curved depending on the species. MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Suda...
1 comment
Read more

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...
2 comments
Read more