As the monsoon season brings relief through rain, it is a time to confront a crisis that has cast a long, perilous shadow over the lives of Nepalis. The air that once invigorated us has transformed into a silent killer, endangering our very existence. The recently unveiled international report, 'Air Quality Life Index-2023,' paints a grim picture of the disastrous consequences of air pollution in Nepal. The era of passive acknowledgment has passed; the government must seize this moment and implement proactive measures to ensure a breathable future for our citizens. The statistics presented are alarming and cannot be dismissed. The report ranks Nepal as the world's third most polluted country in terms of air quality. The presence of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5, microscopic particles that infiltrate our respiratory systems and bloodstream, surpasses safe levels defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The consequences of this contamination are profound: an average reduction of 4.6 years in life expectancy for Nepalis. In some districts of Terai, this reduction is even more alarming at 6.8 years. While discussions often center on various factors affecting life expectancy, this report unequivocally thrusts air pollution into the spotlight as a principal contributor. Its detrimental impact rivals that of smoking, depriving us of the years we rightfully deserve. The very air that sustains us has turned into a carrier of particles that silently erode our well-being.
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It is high time the government recognized this is no longer a challenge of the distant future but an immediate crisis demanding urgent action. The report also highlights the potential for positive change. Adhering to WHO standards could lead to remarkable improvements. Aligning with these guidelines could increase life expectancy in heavily polluted regions like Terai by 6.5 percent. In Kathmandu, adhering to WHO standards might extend residents' lives by an additional 3.5 years. This isn't just a statistic; it is a tangible promise of healthier lives for all Nepalis. The urgency for action is underscored by the glaring contrast between Nepal's air quality standards and WHO recommendations. While WHO defines the safe annual PM 2.5 level at 5 micrograms per cubic meter, Nepal maintains a standard of 40 micrograms per cubic meter. This gap emphasizes the critical need for the government to revise these standards. Nepalis deserve clean air that nurtures, not harms. The sources of this hazardous air are diverse yet identifiable. Emissions from diesel vehicles, forest fires, brick factories, agricultural residue burning, and waste incineration have combined into a lethal concoction that hovers over our nation. Even pollutants from neighboring Indian states, reflecting shared environmental accountability, contribute to this crisis. Rather than assigning blame, we must take ownership of our air quality and commit to essential changes.
The consequences of inaction have already materialized in the escalating incidence of respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart ailments, hypertension, and strokes. The State of Global Air 2020 report starkly reveals that Nepal lost 42,000 lives in 2019 due to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Shockingly, the most vulnerable members of our society – children under five and the elderly over seventy – bear the brunt of this crisis. Their lives are invaluable, their health non-negotiable, and the government must prioritize their well-being. Keeping in view of this grave crisis, the government must embark on a comprehensive strategy to combat air pollution. This entails investing in cleaner technologies, bolstering public transportation, enforcing stringent emission standards for industries and vehicles, and adopting rigorous waste management practices. Collaborative efforts between Nepal and its neighbors are equally pivotal; the wind disregards borders, and so does the toxic haze it carries. The government must swiftly convene a panel of experts, scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers to formulate a roadmap for cleaner air. The current crisis of air pollution transcends politics; it is a matter of life and death. Adequate resources must be allocated, stringent regulations adopted, and public awareness raised regarding the urgency of this issue. Let us recognize that air pollution is more than data and statistics; it encompasses the breaths we take, the lives we lead, and the legacy we leave for generations. It is time to clear the air, for the sake of Nepal's future.
