KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has reached an unhealthy level today. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), air pollution in the valley had climbed to 175 AQI by midday. Kathmandu ranked as the seventh most polluted city in the world at that time. Cairo, Egypt, topped the list as the world’s most polluted city, with an AQI reading of 273.
According to Gyanraj Subedi, Director General of the Department of Environment, air pollution has increased due to dry weather conditions, lack of wind, the operation of industries, and rapid development and construction activities.
He said emissions of smoke and dust from industrial activities, cross-border pollution, and pollution drifting in from neighboring India have also contributed to the worsening air quality. Subedi warned that pollution levels could rise further unless there is rainfall. He added that concerned agencies have been advised to prioritize environmentally friendly development.
Kathmandu tops global air pollution chart again
Disaster management expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti said that an AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good (green category), while 51 to 100 indicates a level where caution is required (yellow category). Similarly, AQI levels between 101 and 150 are considered unhealthy and can affect people with respiratory and heart conditions. An AQI of 151 to 200 is unhealthy for everyone, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and levels above 300 are regarded as extremely hazardous.
Under the Kathmandu Valley Air Quality Management Action Plan, 2076, the government of Nepal classifies situations where AQI exceeds 300 as a disaster. To mitigate such situations, the plan includes measures such as banning the burning of waste, increasing the use of broomers and vacuum machines for road cleaning, and issuing public notices urging special precautions for children, senior citizens, and patients.
The National Environment Policy, 2076 outlines a government strategy to reduce air pollution by formulating and implementing national standards for controlling water, air, soil, noise, electromagnetic waves, radioactive radiation, and hazardous chemical pollution.
The policy also states that air, water, and noise quality mapping will be carried out by establishing monitoring centers in major cities, industrial areas, and locations at high risk of pollution.
