Complete negligence

The Himalayan Times

4 April 2014

Complete negligence

The eyes of all the readers must have been on the news report “Valley on the verge of choking with air pollution” (THT, 2 April, Page 1). I was socked but not surprised to go through this news report. Looking at the air pollution increasing in the capital day by day due to lack of clear policy on combating air pollution, worst days for the Kathmandu residents are not far away. It seems very easy for the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Science and Technology to concede that it has failed to monitor the air pollutants. When are they going to realize this and act accordingly?

According to the report, Kathmandu is the fourth worst polluted city with 101.05 points among other cities around the globe. This indicates that the air quality of the Kathmandu valley has deteriorated so much that do not seem easily controllable unless the government comes forward at the soonest possible with stringent laws to fight it. Otherwise, Kathmandu will turn into a city of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and cardiac patients.

Vehicular emissions, dust from the poorly maintained roads, two stroke gasoline and diesel engines, brick kilns and industries are said to be the major air pollutants. There does not seem any effective mechanism with the concerned authorities to regularly monitor the air quality in the city and respond accordingly. The Danish government had installed seven ambient air monitoring stations in the valley in 2002. Only three are functioning. What a shame on the Department of Environment that it has failed to properly maintain all the stations? Unless the responsible authorities realize their responsibility and act accordingly, nothing will happen in any sector that is directly responsible for providing quality services to the people.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu