Norms in place
The March 2003 indictment by the Supreme Court of Nepal and unrelenting public pressure have finally forced the country's government to formulate a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (naaqs). The same has been sent to the law ministry for publication.
In recent years, high levels of air pollution have emerged as Nepal's most visible component of environmental degradation. It is estimated that air pollution costs the country about US $4 million per year in medical costs for Kathmandu residents. The Kathmandu Valley's bowl-like topography and low wind speeds during winter create poor dispersion conditions. These factors expose the area to severe air pollution. A Nepalese daily has reported that the current level of particulate matter (PM10) in the Putalisadak locality is as high as 385 microgrammes per cubic metre. Significantly, this is three times the air quality norms the government has now set for PM10.
naaqs sets the permissible limit for six pollutants
Related Content
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding maintenance of Macchali talab (water body) in Smriti Van at Vasant Kunj, Delhi, 03/04/2025
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal brick kilns in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, 25/02/2025
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachment in and around Hingonia Dam, Rajasthan, 21/01/2025
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding constructions of residential apartments and discharge of waste in river Ganga, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 10/01/2025
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal mining in Ashapur- Abhaypur village, Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, 08/05/2024
- Judgment of the Supreme Court regarding decision to construct a commercial airport in Silchar, Assam, 06/05/2024