Report Number: R1

A
REPORT
ON
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION IN
KATHMANDU VALLEY

SUBMITTED BY:
SMRITI DAHAL
SENIOR ENGINEER

MINISTRY OF POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT

SINGHA DURBAR, KATHMANDU
 A

REPORT

ON

AIR POLLUTION IN THE KATHMANDU VALLEY

SUBMITTED TO:

SUSMITA REGMI

CHIEF ENGINEER

SUBMITTED BY:

SMRITI DAHAL

SENIOR ENGINEER

APPROVED BY:

SUNITI SHRESTHA

PROJECT MANAGER

MINISTRY OF POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT

SINGHA DURBAR, KATHMANDU

DECEMBER 17 2022

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3

ABSTRACT 4

INTRODUCTION 5

METHODOLOGY
5

DISCUSSION 6

CONCLUSION 8

RECOMMENDATION 9

REFERENCES 10

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Ridan Dahal for their assistance
in completing this report. Their words of encouragement and guidance were invaluable
throughout the process.
We are highly indebted to the government of Nepal and its bodies for providing us with
the related data and information about the air pollution issue.
I would also like to thank Ms. Indira Ghimire for their helpful feedback and insights.
Their thoughtful suggestions and comments helped to shape this report into its final
form.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who provided data and other resources that made
this report possible. This report would not have been possible without their invaluable
help and support. I am truly grateful for their assistance.

3
 Abstract

Air pollution is a significant environmental issue in Kathmandu Valley, the capital region
of Nepal and one of the most populous cities in South Asia. The valley is home to over 3
million people and is a major economic, political, and cultural center in the country.
However, the rapid growth of the urban population and industry, coupled with a lack of
proper planning and infrastructure, has led to significant air pollution in the valley. The
air quality in Kathmandu Valley is frequently poor, with high levels of particulate matter
(PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) being recorded. These pollutants
can have serious health impacts, particularly for those with respiratory and
cardiovascular conditions.

4
 Introduction

Air pollution may be defined as the presence of one or more contaminants such as dust,
fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke or vapor in the atmosphere which may prove to be
injurious to plant, animals and human life. To a large extent man himself is responsible
for air pollution. His activities, careless technology, casual attitude and lack of
awareness may contribute to air pollution. Sometimes natural factors such as fog, mist,
bacteria, wind velocity and its direction and volcanic ash may be the cause of air
pollution.
The air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has had serious consequences for the health of
its residents. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to a range of health problems,
including respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, air
pollution can lead to long-term environmental damage, including acid rain and global
warming. This paper is an attempt to identify the causes of the air pollution, analyze
possible consequences of air pollution and suggest mitigating measures to abate this
dire problem.

Methodology

Present paper is based on secondary sources of information. Various published and

unpublished official documents on air pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal and the world were
referred and reviewed. Descriptive and analytical techniques were applied for data
presentation.

5
 Discussion

1. Causes of air pollution

The air quality in Kathmandu Valley has surpassed the World Health
Organization’s air quality guidelines. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
ranked Kathmandu as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The main
sources of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley include vehicle emissions, industrial
activities, construction sites, burning of solid waste, use of diesel generators, and
burning of biomass and the burning of solid fuels for cooking and heating. The
valley is also surrounded by mountains, which trap pollutants and contribute to
the high levels of air pollution.

1.1. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP)

The rapid growth of Kathmandu Valley has resulted in an expanded road
network, leading to an increase in vehicle numbers. These vehicles emit harmful
gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, which
accumulate in the air. The effect of traffic on air pollution is significant and far-
reaching. Vehicle exhaust from automobiles, buses, and trucks emit a variety of
pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
Additionally, vehicle exhaust contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone,
a pollutant that can cause significant damage to crops, trees, and other
vegetation. Finally, traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to climate
change, as the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap
heat and warm the atmosphere.

1.2. Construction activities

Construction activities can have a significant impact on air quality in the
surrounding area. Emissions from construction equipment, materials, and
activities can release air pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic
compounds, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can contribute to poor air
quality and can be hazardous to human health and the environment.
Additionally, construction activities can generate dust and noise pollution, both of
which can have negative impacts on the local environment and the people living
in it.

6
 1.3. Burning
The burning of solid waste also contributes to air pollution in Kathmandu Valley.
The burning of solid waste releases toxins such as lead, mercury, and arsenic,
which are known to cause serious health problems. The use of diesel generators
is another major source of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. The generators
emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide. The burning of biomass is a
significant source of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. The burning of biomass
releases particulate matter and other pollutants, which accumulate in the air.

1.4. Population growth

The population growth in Kathmandu Valley has had a significant effect on air
pollution. As the population increases, more people are using vehicles, which
leads to an increase in the amount of exhaust fumes and other pollutants
released into the air. Additionally, more people living in the valley means an
increase in the demand for electricity, which leads to an increase in the burning
of coal and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, resulting in further air
pollution. The increased population also leads to an increase in the number of
buildings and industries, which emit hazardous gases, further contaminating the
air. All of these factors contribute to the high levels of air pollution in Kathmandu
Valley.

2. Effects of air pollution

The air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has had a number of negative effects,
including increased levels of respiratory illnesses, increased risk of heart disease,
adverse impacts on children's health, and reduced visibility. The air quality has been
found to be hazardous and unhealthy for the population living in the valley, with
particulate matter concentrations often exceeding the World Health Organization's
recommended levels. The poor air quality has also caused significant damage to
vegetation, resulting in reduced crop yields, reduced fruit and vegetable production,
and reduced timber quality. In addition, the air pollution has also caused acid rain
which has caused damage to buildings, monuments and cultural artifacts.

7
 Conclusion

In recent years, the government of Nepal has taken steps to address the issue of air
pollution in Kathmandu Valley. This has included implementing stricter emissions
standards for vehicles, promoting the use of cleaner fuels, and setting up air quality
monitoring stations. However, much more needs to be done to address the root causes
of air pollution in the valley.
In conclusion, air pollution is a serious problem in Kathmandu Valley, with high levels of
particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide being recorded. The main
sources of air pollution include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, construction sites,
and the burning of solid fuels. The government of Nepal has taken steps to address the
issue, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of air pollution in the
valley.

8
 Recommendations

On the basis of the conclusion obtained, the following ways of mitigation of air pollution
are recommended:
1. One of the most effective solutions to reduce air pollution is to reduce the number
of vehicles on the road. This can be done through public transportation initiatives,
such as increasing the availability of public transportation and incentivizing the
use of electric and hybrid vehicles.
2. Another important solution to reduce air pollution is to reduce emissions from
industrial activities. This can be done by adopting energy-efficient technologies
and processes, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing the use of
hazardous chemicals, and using cleaner production methods.
3. Trees are natural air filters and can help reduce air pollution. Planting trees in
urban areas can help reduce smog and other forms of air pollution.
4. Burning fossil fuels is a major source of air pollution. To reduce air pollution, it is
important to switch to cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewable energy
sources.
5. Education is an important part of reducing air pollution. People need to be
informed about the causes and effects of air pollution, and the steps they can
take to reduce it.

9
 References

Gautam, D.R. (2000). AIR POLLUTION: ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES WITH
REFERENCE TO KATHMANDU METROPOLITAN CITY. The Third Pole, Kathmandu
CBS (2008). Environmental Statistics of Nepal. Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics
CEDA (1989). A Study on the Environmental Problems due to Urbanization in Some Elected
Nagar Panchayats of Nepal. Monograph Report submitted to UNDP, Kathmandu.
Hardog, J.E, M. Diaena and S. Davit (1992). Environmental Problems in the Third World
Cities. London: Earthscan Publication.
Perkins, H. (1974). An environmental Problems: Air Pollution. London: MC Graw Hills
Ltd.
Shrestha, B. K. (1999). Prospectus of Public Private Partnerships in Solid Waste
Management in Kathmandu: A Discussion. A Journal of Development. Kathmandu:
National Planning Commission Secretariat 18 (2) 17-4.

10