TRIBHUWAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCE

(IAAS)
A report on:
Air pollution in Kathmandu valley

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Ashish Belbase Subodh Khanal
Roll No: 05 Asst. professor
3rd semester Department of Environmental
Science and Agroecology

INTRODUCTION:
Pollution is a introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse
change. The components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally
occurring contaminants.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases (such as
carbon dioxide, carbonmonoxide, Sulphurdioxide, Methane and Chlorofluorocarbon),
particulates, (both organic and inorganic). It may cause diseases, allergies and even death to
humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and
may damage the natural or built environment. Both human activities activities and natural
processes can generate air pollution. Lichens are well known as sensitive indicators of air
pollution, particularly for Sulfur dioxide.

OBSERVATION:
a) Identifying the source of air pollution and its consequences.
b) Planning and formulation of effective solution measures.

METHODOLOGY:
a) DESK STUDY: At first the report was prepared by the desk study method. The data and
information were collected through different sites, books, articles, magazines, etc. of different
time interval. And I got some knowledge and information about air pollution.
b) SITE SELECTION: For the observation of air polluted areas I have selected Kathmandu
because it is most polluted city of Nepal.
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, with the population of 1,744,240(according to
the census of 2011 AD). It lies in Province No. 3. Its area is 167.37ha.
Coordinates:27 ̊ 42’14” N
85̊ 18’31” E
Its central lower part stands at 1,425 meters above sea level. Kathmandu valley is surrounded by
four Mountain range: Shivapuri hills, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri.
The major river flowing through the Kathmandu valley is Bagmati. Kathmandu also known as
city of Temples, with one of the oldest Pagodas known as Pashupatinath. Kathmandu is and has
been for many years the center of Nepal’s history, art, culture and economy. It has a multi-ethnic
population within a Hindu and Buddhist Majority.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION:

Data collection for that given sites was by two ways:
a) Primary data collection: The site was visited to observe the condition of the place. Local
people were interviewed about the site and the status was analyzed. The Primary data collection
includes visual interpretation rather than desk study.
b) Secondary data collection: The data from different sites was collected and reports from
different survey of Governmental and Non-governmental agency was analyzed.

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS:

The issue of air pollution in Kathmandu valley is continuously drawing the attention of
concerned bodies and the gravity of the problem is growing year by year. Owing to the
topography of Kathmandu valley, growing population, haphazard urbanization and increase in
vehicle density imparted as an effect of affluence and need to serve the growing population, the
valley has been facing worse situation of ambient air every year.
CAUSES:
a) Rapid urbanization
b) Vehicular emission
c)Industrial growth
d)Unmanaged disposal of waste, etc.

EFFECTS:
a) High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing
and breathing problems and irritation of the eyes.
b) Particulate matter is the main problem of Kathmandu, which not only affects the health but
also the Tourism Industry.
c)It may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animal and food crops and may
damage the natural or built environment.
d)Acid rain
e) Ozone layer depletion
f) Reduction of visibility.

CONTROL MEASURES:
a) Plantation of trees on barren land.
b) Use electrical vehicle instead of diesel engine
c) Replacement of old vehicles.
d) Public awareness and increasing Public participation.
e) Government should make strict rules and regulations towards air pollution.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Kathmandu is one of the holy place and capital city of Nepal and also considered as largest city
of Nepal. The pollution level is high but if the control measures aren’t adopted in time it causes
several problems in near future which will be out of control. So, every individual should pay
attention in controlling the air pollution and government should also make strict rules and
regulations to control air pollution.

Fig: Air Pollution in Kathmandu

REFERENCES:
a)https://www.ukessays.com
b)https://www.researchgate.net/publication