‘Take action to curb air pollution’, Environmental Organisations

Kathmandu, April 6: In the wake of air pollution reaching hazardous level in the Kathmandu Valley of late, the organizations working in the sector of environment protection have called the government to take prompt measures to curb pollution.

They underlined the need of smooth cooperation and coordination among governments, local community and security agencies to tame the forest fires occurring in several parts of the country.

Chairperson of the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), Chandra Shekhar Karki, Executive Director of the Prakriti Resource Centre, Raju Pandit Chhetri, General Secretary of the Clean Energy Nepal, Rajan Parajuli, Director of the Omni Ventures, Silsila Achrya and environmentalist Bhusan Tuladhar issued a statement, urging the government to immediately stop vehicles emitting smoke and ban the vehicles that carry dust into the valley.

The schools need to be closed; burning of crop residue banned; and use of mask made mandatory till the air quality improves in the Kathmandu Valley, they added.

The data maintained by the pollution measuring facilities shows the air in the valley is an unhealthy breath. The tiny dust particles, black carbon, carbon monoxide, and ozone are in excessive amount in the air (PM 2.5), jeopardizing human health.

According to International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in the last 90 days, Kathmandu’s air quality remained unhealthy for 75 days. The bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley is one of the air-polluted cities for some years.