Story from Annapurna Post
Kathmandu, A dirty Capital – Story published in Annapurna Post National Daily, Kathmandu
Pitambar Sigdel
With in a decade air pollution has grown at an alarming rate in the kathamndu valley. The latest government monitoring report shows pollution has increased 40 percent in last 5 years. Now capital has turned as one of the dirtiest cities in the world. The average PM10 in katmandu is now reached at 400 (more than 7 times of WHO standards)
Air is contaminated with particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and nitrous oxide. Rapid growth of old vehicles, poor fuel combustion (adulterated vehicles fuel), broken dusty roads, are the main contributing factors to air pollution. The bowl shaped physiography, and the resulting inversion effect in the atmosphere intensify the air pollution by trapping the foul air within the valleys’ immediate atmosphere.
Kathmandu is facing serious environmental problems. Spontaneous urbanization, rising human growth, increased polluting vehicles and industries, centralized development activities, etc., have been gradually degrading the living environment in the capital city.According to the experts Vehicles, expanding roads are the main source of pollution.Visibility was also severely reduced. In addition, studies indicate that poor air quality is taking a toll on human health and health costs. Around 6000 premature deaths yearly.
