KATHMANDU, April 4: A new analysis by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has shown that denizens of the Kathmandu valley were exposed to high air pollution for 75 of the past 90 days.
Issuing a press release on Thursday, experts at ICIMOD attribute the spike in air pollution to pre-monsoon forest fires across Nepal, especially in the west where many districts are in moderate to extreme drought.
On April 3, the Government of Nepal’s Air Quality Monitoring dashboard recorded a 24-hour AQI of 365 in Bhaktapur, 273 at Shankapark, 248 at Ratnapark, 235 at Bhaisepati and 235 at Khumaltar.
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Through the press release, Sagar Adhikari, Air Pollution Analyst at ICIMOD said, “The prevailing dry conditions have led to more instances of forest fires across the country. In addition to the existing pollution being emitted from different sectors i.e. residential, transport and dust, forest fires have worsened these conditions. Existing meteorological conditions are also leading to pollution stagnating over the valley.”
The ICIMOD stated that notable emissions coming from forest fires include carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter in the form of PM2.5 and black carbon. When breathed in, these finer particles of this pollution can enter the bloodstream and lead to respiratory conditions, and even death.
As per the press release, Naryan Babu Dhital, Assistant Professor at Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University said, “While estimates of mortality and morbidity rates from forest fires do not yet exist, this does show the urgency for investing in primary baseline data. Our research shows that ambient PM2.5 air pollution has contributed to 48,000 deaths in 2019. We used secondary data including the Global Burden of Diseases data source to carry out our analysis.”
Black carbon or soot which is emitted from these forest fires, is part of a number of harmful pollutants that are also seen as powerful ‘climate forcers’. These climate forcers have the ability to greatly impact climate systems, including those in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. A recent policy brief released by the Clean Air Fund makes the case for reducing black carbon emissions, as these are known to quicken glacial melt and alter the monsoon.
“We know that black carbon has contributed significantly to glacial melt across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, with some regions seeing up to 39% of melt attributed to this super pollutant. Tackling black carbon requires a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach that not only protects glaciers but also ensures cleaner air for millions of people in the region”, says Khushboo Sharma, Air Pollution Analyst at ICIMOD stated in the press release.
Experts have pressed through the ICIMOD for faster emissions reductions at the global level to limit temperature rise as well long-term strategies at the national level to curb forest fires – including better fire monitoring systems and sustainable land management – are critical to preventing future crises.
