E-Kantipur

FEB 01 - Nepal ranks among the worst performers in air quality with regard to the effects on human health. Out of total 132 countries in the world, the country ranked in the bottom third position to the deteriorating air quality standards in terms of human health measure by the two parameters—particulate matters and indoor air pollution. The Environment Performance Index (EPI) rankings prepared in every two years since 2006 by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University in the US has listed the South Asian countries namely, India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh among the top five worst performers in maintaining air quality standards to minimise the serious risks related to human health. The EPI rank countries on 22 performance indicators spanning ten policy categories reflecting facets of both environmental public health and ecosystem of which, air quality is one. Indoor air pollution is a threatening issue both in urban and rural areas affecting the lives of millions of people in the country. Massive urbanization in the cities across the country including Kathmandu has deteriorated the ambient air quality. The percent of people living in urban areas has increased from 3.6 in 1961 to 14.62 in 2011 census. This means more urbanisation activities in the urban areas has lead to millions of people being exposed to  air pollution creating threats of various health problems. And while particulate matters effect only cities like Kathmandu, indoor air pollution is a problem throughout the country.

On the bright side, in areas where less urban development is seen, Nepal fares quite well in various policy categories aside from air pollution. In our biodiversity and habitat, forestry, agriculture and climate change, we have performed very well. In fact, we rank number one on the quality of our forests.  But our forests and biodiversity are not increasing in size and number, whereas areas of urban and suburban development are. In some instances, urban areas are increasing due to the direct destruction of forests or other habitats. This means that just because the majority of policy indicators regarding pollution in Nepal remain positive is no reason to think that we do not face any problems.

The reality is that the air quality of urban areas or any area that has seen some modern development is worrisome. Considering the rapid rate at which haphazard development is taking place in Nepal, often at the expense of greenery and wildlife, it won’t be long until much of what was once clean air, is no longer so great to breathe in. It’s only in places of little or no development that air quality in Nepal remains good. Therefore our greatest obstacle will be in finding a way to keep us and our air healthy in areas of urban and suburban development. Of course, preserving our forests and biodiversity is vital. But in light of a growing population, maintaining pollution standards in the urban areas will also be a great challenge. The development of more urban and metropolitan towns and cities is going to be the reality of the next few decades to come. Measures must be taken to make this development sustainable and not allow the country’s development to also be a cause for the increase in the population’s bad health.

 

Posted on: 2012-02-01 11:18

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