Air Pollution Crisis

With Kathmandu frequently topping the list of most polluted countries in the world, there is no doubt that air pollution has increasingly become a critical challenge to Nepal and its people. A latest study by the World Bank has found it to be the number one factor for disease and disability after malnutrition and tobacco. This paints a grim picture of a growing crisis, prompting strict actions to improve human life.

The report titled “Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources and Solutions” states Kathmandu and Tarai as ‘air pollution hotspots’. These regions have shown no improvement in the last decade. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause life expectancy to decrease by 3.4 years on average and lead to the premature deaths of 26,000 people.  It also contributes to causing diseases like stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, heart disease and chronic pulmonary disease, among others.

Besides health-related impacts, air pollution results in economic impacts, too. Air pollution-induced diseases decrease labour productivity. Moreover, essential sectors like tourism and aviation are severely affected. This is because travel becomes difficult and, more importantly, tourist visits decline significantly. For countries like Nepal, where tourism is both a direct and indirect means of livelihood for hundreds and thousands of people, the effect is unimaginable.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts Nepal’s air pollution will reach an intense level by 2035. Major reasons behind growing pollution in Kathmandu and the Tarai region remain industrial pollution, transportation and cooking. Also, in the case of Tarai, transboundary pollution is found to be a key reason. The study recommends certain solutions that are crucial for Nepal to reverse the existing situation. It highlights the use of clean boilers by industries, clean stoves for cooking and inspection and maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles. 

Moreover, the World Bank recommends certain measures that the Nepal government should adopt, concentrating on data collection, enforcement of laws, incentives to the private sector to switch to clean technologies and establishment of clean energy-promoting public infrastructures. The global financial institution also emphasises creating economies for clean energy adoption through fiscal policy, including pricing and markets. 

These solutions not only help control pollution but also align with Nepal’s aspiration to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Promoting clean energy use can also help decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, subsequently reducing the trade deficit. Also, it can be a means to uplift Nepal’s global standing and soft power at large. Nepal must direct its attention to this matter urgently. Given its achievements in biodiversity conservation and an increase in forest cover, we can say with certainty that if the government puts its mind to it, air pollution control will be achievable. 

For this, it requires strategic actions and consistent support from the non-state actors. Most importantly, the transboundary nature of air pollution demands close coordination with neighbours to jointly reduce its impacts. Any effort made to control air pollution will be significant to improving public health and easing pressure on public funds, in the long run. Hence, preventive measures are fundamental for social, economic and environmental development.