Air pollution level in kathmandu capital bumps up

For many developing urban cities around the world, pollution has been one of the key setbacks and a major challenge. The situation in Nepali capital Kathmandu has been no less good. The report of World Health Organization (WHO) has placed Kathmandu as one of the most polluted cities around the world. According to its report, the level of particulate matter (PM) 10 in the air of Kathmandu is 120 microgram per square meter. As per the standard of WHO, the level of PM 10 should be 20 microgram per square meter. This has no doubt led to an increasing number of patients dealing with respiratory problems around the Kathmandu Valley. Dhiraj KC, a general physician at Alka Hospital in Kathmandu told Xinhua that a large number of patients who have been visiting him have respiratory problems. "The respiratory problem is like a viral now. Most of the patients have trouble breathing or have developed health disorder related to it. The number of patients with asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary disease is increasing. Likewise, more and more people are developing skin ailments," according to KC. KC advises that people should use a high-quality medical mask in order to keep themselves away from the health hazard. Pharmaceutical owner in the capital Badri Bhandaree says that he receives a lot of patients who are dealing with respiratory problems. "There is an increasing demand for medical inhalers amongst the patients," he said. The availability of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide and substantial amount of lead (Pb) in the atmosphere are the main causes of health hazard caused due to air pollution. However, according to Subha Shahi, an environment activist, chemical gasses emitting vehicles and industries are not alone to be blamed for the reason. Dust is also one of the reasons Kathmandu Valley gets polluted and hazy. "Bare lands during the dry seasons give rise to a lot of dusty pollution in the atmosphere," Shahi said. These dusts although not as harsh as the chemical gases makes the air dense which was harmful to the respiration as well as the vision. "These dusty areas should be covered or vegetation plantation should be encouraged in order to reduce the pollution of the particles," Shahi further added. In recent days, the Nepali capital has seen an increase in dust pollution. With the road expansion campaign getting legitimacy around the capital, the bulldozing work has left a large part of the valley dense dust in the air. "The government or owners of the area should think about a way to cover these dust. Otherwise the valley will be fogged beneath the air pollution," Shahi told Xinhua. Likewise she also said that if these areas are not maintained now, it will create more hazard during the rainy season. According to Bhai Kaji Tiwari, an urban planner with Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Committee (KVTDIC), the expansion drive will take two years to deconstruct and three more years to rebuild. Shahi expresses her concern that by the time the capital gets new roads in five years, there will be a lot of patients facing health hazards. The location of the capital, which is in fact a valley, is also a major reason that enhances the air pollution. With tall mountains surrounding the city in all sides, the industrial and vehicle pollution has lesser chances of escaping, Shahi further said. Although the capital experiences some respite from the air pollution when the valley receives rainfall, it only lasts for few months of the year. Kathmandu is thus being less popular destination amongst tourists and foreigners with popular websites marking it as one of the most air polluted city in Asia and the world. Tourists and bloggers are seen making suggestions to their fellow travelers about the pollution in the valley and ways to avoid health problems which could develop from it. Marsel Delinic from Germany told Xinhua, "The pollution is much more than I had first expected it to be. I hope something will be done regarding it to preserve this beautiful city with such a huge potential."