‘Everyone needs to open eyes and see the blanket of dust surrounding Kathmandu’
Kathmanduites speak out against pollution
Our capital city Kathmandu is now turning into Dustmandu. With the increase in pollution and dust in the air, irritation and other health problems are not uncommon among Kathmanduites. Republica talked to the people in Kathmandu to get their opinion on this issue.
Who do you think is responsible for the increasing pollution in Kathmandu? Have you faced any problem due to this? What is your take on people who use old vehicles and litter around the city? How can we reduce pollution?
Alka Thapa, Undergraduate student
I feel it is the responsibility of the Department of Road to reduce increasing pollution in Kathmandu. Yes, I have felt the change myself and have been facing health problems for weeks due to this increasing pollution. People throwing garbage around Kathmandu is making the situation even worse, turning it into Dustmandu. People should be punished, government used to fine Rs. 1000 to those who litter around the city but I feel that this rule is not executed properly. I feel we can solve this problem by making the road construction process more steady and using more electric vehicles.
Sarita Koirala, Masters graduate
Adhiraj Regmi, Undergraduate student
The increasing pollution in Kathmandu is the mutual negligence of the contractors of Melamchi, the government and the citizens. Melamchi contractors won the tender by setting lower price and when it came to the implementation, they even compromised the quality. On an individual level, we never question authority. We don’t even know the name of contractor who is in charge of even in our area. This has motivated the contractors to leave incomplete tasks and which has led to the air pollution. This has given rise to respiratory problems. People are using old vehicles due to inefficient law. The solution to this air pollution problem is only possible from a policy level. Firstly, government should be stringent against the clause set with the contractors and should always keep them in pressure. Public should be aware and active to put pressure if these problem rise. Also, the municipalities and other government bodies should be active in controlling the problem. They can water the roads time and again, both during the day and night. Also, different machines can be imported which can absorb pollutants.
Shreni Rajbhandary, Undergraduate student
I blame the government’s policies related to the installation of pipelines and repairing of the roads. Traffic congestion is increasing day by day, frowned faces of pedestrians clearly show their irritation, viral and communicable diseases are rapidly growing and the clothes get dirty soon. I feel people using old vehicles and litter around are uncivilized. They don’t think beyond their convenience despite education. Students from early on should be given practical education regarding environment so when they grow up they could come up with measures to solve environmental issue.
Srijana Thapa, Child Rights Activist
Bikesh Prajapati, Mechanical Engineer
Bibidh Subedi, High-school student
The unmanaged road system, unplanned Melamchi project and use of old vehicles seem to be contributing to the current transformation of the capital for the worse. The Melamchi Water Supply Project is indeed a progressive initiation, but the concerned authorities seem to have neglected possible health and environment risks. This has resulted in health hazards in town with reported increase in respiratory diseases in recent weeks. These diseases are making the activities run in an unproductive way – be it at workplaces or schools. But, it is not just the government who are to blame. We still choose to burn our household wastes because we think it doesn’t contribute to the already existing pollution. As it is each drop that makes a bucket full, we certainly are contributing our share of drops too! Foremost, this burning issue has to be realized by all. Only punishments won’t do any good in the long run. The people and the government – everyone needs to open their eyes and really see the blanket of dust surrounding us.
Aafreen Banu, High-school graduate
Leave A Comment