DECEMBER 19, 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
causes, consequences, and solutions

Unik Paudel
Xi ‘H’
unik.paudel.official@gmail.com
 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................2

2. OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................................3

3. STUDY AREA.......................................................................................................................3

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS...........................................................................................4

5. RESULTS..............................................................................................................................4

6. CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................6

7. RECOMMENDATION.........................................................................................................7

8. REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................7

9. ANNEXES.............................................................................................................................8

1 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 1. INTRODUCTION

Global Scenario: The widespread prevalence of pollution began with the industrial revolution

and has escalated with growing economies and populations. Major types of pollution include

air, land, and water pollution. Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and

premature death, causing approximately 9.0 million deaths every year globally. According to

World Bank Group, the global waste is expected to increase to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. This

has led to significant economic costs, with air pollution costing the globe $8.1 trillion in the

year 2022.

National Scenario: The current status of pollution in Nepal is concerning. The annual average

emission of PM2.5 was 81.1 micrograms per cubic meter, placing Nepal only behind India, in

2019. Air pollution was responsible for the death of 42,100 people in the same year. A report

by the Department of Environment of Nepal reveals that air pollution shortens the average

Nepali’s life by 4.1 years. These figures highlight the grave status of pollution in the country.

Local Scenario: Even in my locality, status of pollution is concerning. Air pollution continues

to exist, but is relatively faded out as compared to the status of air pollution in other places. A

pond, in my locality, has been suffering from water pollution for continuous two years.

Similarly, there is a biscuit factory that had been causing land pollution, but recently it was

closed. The pollution in my locality is in decline at present time.

Why this report?

The pollution is of grave nature at global, national and local level. The cause of pollution and

its acute effects must be publicized to raise local awareness. Every people should hold some

knowledge on mitigating pollution from their post and position. We are the one who can

transfer the society from pollution-filled to pollution-free. Thus, taking these facts into

consideration, I have prepared this report.

2 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 2. OBJECTIVES

The major objectives of this research are mentioned below:

 To document different forms of pollution persisting in my community

 To identify causes and effects of different types of pollution

 To determine successful solutions for mitigating the pollution

 To emphasize the status of pollution so that the local government will take actions

3. STUDY AREA

The study area encompasses certain area of Parshyang, Pokhara-5, where I live in. This area

provides a representative sample for understanding the status and effects caused by

environmental pollution in the entire Pokhara city.

The research was conducted around the geographical coordinate: 28°13'29.2"N 83°58'29.6"E

(My residence), and also around a pond and a factory as shown below.

The geographical map highlighting the study area of this research is given below:

3 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was 10 days long spanning from December 8 to December 18.

The first 8 days were separated for inferring information and data received from primary data

sources. These sources comprised direct observation of the study area, few home visits,

consultation with local people, interviewing with the victims of pollution, and questionnaire

sampling. I was equipped with a pen, diary and mobile phone for collecting all the useful

information delivered by the locals. Per day, around five people of my community were

questioned about pollution. Home visits were often conducted and few people were given

questionnaire prepared by me. After collecting data, I used to infer them in the evening for a

successful conclusion.

The last 2 days were for collecting information from secondary data sources. The sources

included newspapers, journals, magazines, articles, research reports, and internet. Although I

got information to some extent, secondary sources were not as effective as the primary data

sources.

5. RESULTS

After the end of research, I observed that different types of pollution were going on in my

locality. The existing pollutions were air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. The air

pollution was throughout the locality, but in small volume. Water pollution was observed

mainly in a pond and very few other sources of water. Land pollution was seen around the

factory area and some agricultural lands.

Some causes and effects of the above-mentioned pollution is given below in the table:

4 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 S.N Types of Pollution Causes
-Dusts from sand pits
-Dusts from constructional
activities
Air Pollution
1.
-Emission by transportation
vehicles
-Smokes from household
burning, campfires, bbq
-Disposal of waste in water
-Construction site runoff
Water Pollution
2. -Bathing and washing clothes
in the pond
-Deposition of air pollutants
in water
-Improper waste disposal
-Persistent use of pesticides
Land Pollution and fertilizers
3.
-Constructional activities
-Soil erosion due to lack of
plants and trees
Source: Field Observation [December 10 and 11], consultation with locals, internet
5 Environmental Pollution
Effects
- Increased risk of respiratory
problems to locals
-Effect on local weather pattern and
climate change
-Effect on animals and plants
-Unpleasant odors, causing
discomfort to people
-Harm to aquatic life
-Contamination of pond water
-Impact on fisheries and tourism
industry
-Loss of recreational activities like
swimming
-Long-term environmental damage
-Depletion of soil nutrients
-Reduction in vegetable yields
-Loss of useful microorganisms of
the soil
-Habitat destruction for animals and
plants
-Health problems due to exposure to
contaminated soil
Unik Paudel
 6. CONCLUSION

Based upon the result, I can conclude that air, water and land pollution endure in my locality.

The status of air pollution is not much severe as it is found sporadically. Water pollution is

severe around the pond area while land pollution in agricultural lands. Air pollution is mainly

caused due to emission smokes and dusts from constructional activities, and vehicles. Waste

disposal, household washing in pond are the major causes for water pollution, while land

pollution continues to exist due to improper waste management, continuous use of fertilizers

and constructional activities.

The effect brought by pollution is not favorable. All people of my locality are hit by

pollution. Because of air pollution, we sense unpleasant smell in the air . Water pollution has

been responsible for contamination of water and death of fishes in the pond. Similarly, land

pollution has resulted in reduction of crop yields and habitat destruction of plants.

Although pollution is already caused, I deduced some ways to mitigate them, that include:

 For air pollution: The 3Rs, use of public vehicles instead of personal, promotion of

clean energy sources like biogas, monitoring air quality from time to time by local

government, fines and charges for polluters

 For water pollution: Sewage treatment, best agricultural practices, solid waste

management, public awareness programs, community cleanup events along water

bodies, pet waste management

 For land pollution: Waste reduction, proper waste disposal, soil testing and

monitoring, pollution-free agricultural practices, afforestation, community cleanup

campaigns, encouragement to composting for local gardens

6 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 7. RECOMMENDATION

Based on the comprehensive field visit, careful observations, and insightful analysis of the

results, I have several key recommendations to address and prevent environmental pollution.

1. It is important that the local government should implement stringent regulatory

measures that include emission standards for factories, promotion of biomass, use of

vehicles not more than 10 years, (etc.).

2. One of the great ways to educate a mass of people at a single time is public

awareness. So, the responsibility of conducting periodic awareness campaign can be

taken by the Mothers’ Club, Youths’ Club of my locality.

3. The major cause for all three pollutions in my locality is improperly managed waste.

So, I urge the municipal government to establish a systematized waste management

system and facilitate every locality with bimonthly garbage collector service.

4. Pollution is not only the concern of government, but also of people. Therefore, it is

necessary that every people should execute possible measures from their side that can

be following 3Rs method, building their own kitchen garden, limiting the use of

plastic bags, planting trees around the house, using eco-friendly products, using public

vehicles, and so on.

5. People should be united in a monthly cleanliness campaign through which polluted

water bodies, lands, roads, fields, (etc.) can be clean thoroughly

8. REFERENCES

https://pollution.gov.np , https://kathmandupost.com , https://journals.ametsoc.org ,

https://www.leesu.fr , https://www.aqi.in/in/dashboard/nepal/gandaki/pokhara ,

https://www.accuweather.com , https://www.tomorrow.io , https://nepalitimes.com, ,

https://www.researchgate.net, https://www.hindawi.com

7 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 9. ANNEXES

Some photos related to pollution in my locality are given below:

Fig: Pollution in Khunde Pokhari Fig: Improperly managed waste

Similarly, a blank sample of questionnaire that I used is given below:

8 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel

 Finally, names of people with whom I consulted are mentioned below:

Bindu Paudel, Cafyna Paudel, Karna Bahadur Chhetri, Kalpana Chhetri, Harihar Upadhya,

Sukra Raj Paudel, Juna Paudel, Indira Tiwari Chettri, Padam Paudel, Rajan Adhikari,

Sabeena Tiwari, Bishnu Paudel, Yadunath Paudel, Deepak Giri, Mina Tiwari, Himlal

Upadhya, Bir Bahadur Thapa, Parbati Khadka, Swechha Rimal, Sita Tiwari, Susmita Paudel

9 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel