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
