Tackling Air Pollution for a Healthier Future
Purnika Dhakal, RYN 2024 Fellow
For those of us who call the Kathmandu Valley home, particulate matter (PM) and other air pollution are daily dangers to human health and the environment.
Founded in the 2nd century A.D., Kathmandu, Nepal emerged as our country’s major cultural and economic hub due to the benefits of river valley geography. Although this topography was conducive to building a civilization, the mountainous boundaries of the area now trap smog generated by urban sprawl. Approximately 4 million people who live within this 400 km2 area face a severe air pollution crisis as a consequence, at an altitude of 1,400m a.sl. that also makes it difficult to breathe.
Air pollution is not the only resilience challenge we face, considering that our city faces frequent floods and landslides as well as clean water supply challenges, but it presents the most significant human risks to our most vulnerable populations: children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
The air quality here, especially the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), often exceeds the World Health Organization's safe limits. Imagine walking through Kathmandu on a typical day. The streets are teeming with cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Many of these vehicles lack modern emission controls, spewing harmful pollutants such as particulates, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and Lead (Pb) into the air we breathe. As we navigate the city, we pass by factories and brick kilns, their chimneys billowing toxic smoke. In residential areas, the scent of burning wood and biomass used for cooking fills the air, adding to the burden.
The natural bowl shape of the valley traps these pollutants, especially during the winter when weather conditions create a perfect storm for prolonged periods of poor air quality. This toxic mix has become a part of our daily lives, but it does not have to be this way.
Comparison of WHO standards and the situation of Air pollution in Kathmandu
Parameter | WHO Guideline (µg/m³) | Kathmandu Average (µg/m³) |
Annual Mean | 10 | 48 (2019) |
24-hour Mean | 25 | 102.7 (January 2019) |
With the above-mentioned landscape, imagine walking through Kathmandu on a typical day. The streets are teeming with cars, motorcycles, and trucks, many lacking modern emission controls, spewing harmful pollutants into our air. As we navigate the city, factories and brick kilns billow toxic smoke, and the scent of burning wood and biomass used for cooking fills the air from residential areas. The natural bowl shape of the valley traps these pollutants, especially during winter when weather conditions create a prolonged period of poor air quality. This toxic mix has become a part of our daily lives, but it doesn't have to be this way.
Unfortunately, Kathmandu consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally. In 2021, it even held the dubious title of the world's most polluted city. This ranking is primarily due to high levels of PM2.5 exceeding the WHO's safe limits, placing Kathmandu's air quality in a league with other heavily industrialized or geographically disadvantaged cities.
To address these challenges, the Nepalese government at federal, provincial, and local levels has initiated several measures to combat this issue. Efforts to promote public transportation and electric vehicles are underway, aiming to reduce the 30% of polluting vehicles on the roads from 2018. Stricter emission standards are being enforced to curb industrial pollution, and there's a push for cleaner cooking fuels to reduce domestic emissions which functioned led by the government UN agencies like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, UNDP, international NGOs like The Asia Foundation and NGOs such as Clean Energy Nepal, Nepal Environmental and Scientific Society (NESS) and Community-based organizations are contributing to this endeavor. Afforestation projects are being implemented to absorb pollutants, and public awareness campaigns are educating citizens about the dangers of air pollution and encouraging them to adopt cleaner practices.
Significance of Multi-Level Governance
Addressing air pollution requires a comprehensive approach that considers various sources and their geographic distribution. Federal-level regulations are crucial for setting national standards and ensuring consistency across the country. Provincial governments play a vital role in tailoring these regulations to their specific needs and conditions. Additionally, local governments are well-positioned to implement and enforce air quality measures at the community level. This multi-level approach allows for a more targeted and effective response to the air pollution crisis.
However, these efforts face significant challenges. The enforcement of regulations is often weak, and resources are limited. Rapid urbanization continues to introduce new pollution sources faster than they can be managed.Â
Proposed Solution Initiatives
A future where Kathmandu implements a Comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan (CCAAP) would see air pollution tackled as a multifaceted issue through innovative policies, cross-sectoral solutions, and active public involvement. Grounded in accurate air quality monitoring and real-time data platforms like IQAir, the CCAAP would target reducing PM2.5 levels by 50%, from the current hazardous average of 90 μg/m³ to under 45 μg/m³ over five years. This would require expanding monitoring equipment to cover 100% of Kathmandu's urban areas, compared to the current 60%, ensuring more reliable data to guide interventions. The CCAAP would align Nepal's air quality standards with WHO guidelines, setting the limit for PM2.5 at 10 μg/m³ annually and 25 μg/m³ over 24 hours.
One key initiative would be to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption, aiming to replace 30% of private vehicles and 60% of public buses with EVs within a decade. Public transport would be expanded by 40%, with an increase in fleet size and routes, reducing dependency on personal vehicles. Stricter industrial emissions regulations would be introduced, with industries required to reduce emissions by 35% through cleaner technologies and energy-efficient processes within five years. Agricultural and waste-related pollution would be addressed by reducing open burning practices by 70% and improving waste management systems to cover 90% of urban households with proper recycling facilities and composting programs.
Urban planning reforms would integrate at least 20% more green spaces in public areas, promoting green belts along major roads and new residential zones. Better waste management, including the segregation of waste at source, would reduce landfill use by 25%, significantly decreasing pollution from waste combustion. These initiatives would benefit 1.5 million residents directly through improved air quality, with special schemes targeting 30,000 households in high-pollution zones with air purifiers and indoor air quality education. Schools would be targeted with clean air campaigns, benefiting over 300,000 children and reducing pollution-related respiratory illnesses by 20%.
However, if the situation worsens without urgent intervention, PM2.5 levels could soar to 110 μg/m³ within five years, drastically increasing cases of asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and early deaths. Rapid urbanization, if unchecked, could add 100,000 vehicles annually, further straining air quality and undermining transport reforms. Political instability or delays in securing international grants and loans could disrupt the CCAAP's progress, while climate change-induced disasters, such as wildfires or landslides, could further complicate pollution control by increasing airborne particulates.
By implementing strict standards, fostering public participation, and securing sustainable financing through international grants from agencies like UNDP and WFP, Kathmandu can transform into a model for clean urban living. International organizations have already contributed significantly to improving air quality in Nepal, offering a glimpse into the potential impact of the Comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan (CCAAP).
For instance, UNDPÂ has been actively involved in various environmental initiatives in Nepal. One such project was the "Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood" program, which aimed at reducing reliance on biomass fuels and promoting cleaner energy alternatives like solar and hydropower. While this project primarily focused on rural areas, it set the groundwork for larger urban initiatives by emphasizing the importance of clean energy. Additionally, the UNDP collaborated with local municipalities to support the installation of air quality monitoring stations in Kathmandu, providing the data needed to inform policies and interventions.
WFP (World Food Programme), though primarily focused on food security, has also contributed to air quality improvement indirectly by promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Their work in reducing food waste and enhancing sustainable farming has helped minimize the burning of agricultural residues, a significant source of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley. By training farmers on eco-friendly methods, WFP has helped mitigate air pollution, particularly in suburban areas where agricultural practices are more prevalent.
ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)Â has also played a critical role in Kathmandu's air quality management. In collaboration with UNEP and other partners, ICIMOD launched the "Atmospheric Brown Cloud" project, which assessed the impact of air pollution on health and the environment in the Himalayas, including Kathmandu. This project has raised awareness of the harmful effects of black carbon and other pollutants and has led to policy recommendations on reducing emissions from vehicles and industries.
These examples demonstrate the critical role INGOs play in supporting Nepal's clean air initiatives. By continuing to implement strict standards and leveraging international expertise, partnerships, and funding, Kathmandu can accelerate its journey toward cleaner air. Initiatives like those of UNDP and WFP show that with the right resources, Nepal can make tangible progress in improving air quality, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for its residents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tackling Kathmandu's severe air pollution crisis requires urgent, multifaceted solutions that integrate innovative policies, public participation, and cross-sectoral collaborations. The proposed Comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan (CCAAP) sets a roadmap for transforming the city by reducing PM2.5 levels by 50% over five years, promoting electric vehicles, enforcing stricter industrial regulations, and improving waste management. International organizations such as UNDP, WFP, and ICIMOD have already laid the foundation for progress, and their continued support, coupled with sustainable financing and community engagement, can help Kathmandu become a model for clean urban living, benefiting millions and safeguarding public health.
About the Author:
Purnika Dhakal, a recent Peace Zone Awasiya Madhyamik Vidyalaya Sunsari graduate, is keen on accounting, playing, and social work. As a former President of the Interact Club, she demonstrated leadership in initiatives such as school sanitation drives and COVID-19 awareness campaigns. She is interested in learning about environmental management and climate change issues.
References
IQAir. (2024). Kathmandu Air Quality Index (AQI) and Nepal Air Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-map/nepal/central-region/kathmandu
World Health Organization. (2024). WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: Particulate Matter (‎PM2.5 and PM10)‎, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
Department of Environment, Nepal. (2024). Retrieved from https://doenv.gov.np/en/
WWF Nepal. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.wwfnepal.org/
UNDP Nepal. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.np.undp.org/
The Asia Foundation. (2024). Retrieved from https://asiafoundation.org/
The Kathmandu Post. (2024). Retrieved from https://kathmandupost.com/
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