Presence of any foreign element in air that is harmful or poisonous for health is taken as air pollution. Air pollution has become one of the major issues of Kathmandu Valley. Unmanaged and repetitive construction works along the roads for laying pipelines of drinking water, sewage, telephone and other cable networks has transformed the capital city Kathmandu into “Dustmandu”. Various studies have described Kathmandu as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The aforementioned situation shows Kathmandu as an unhealthy city to live in. Bumpy roads and annoying traffic has become regular headache for commuters in the capital city and fuming dust over it adds more difficulties to their regular life. Health experts have repeatedly underscored that Kathmandu residents are prone to air borne diseases due to increasing air pollution. To know whether or not youths are aware of the issue, My City’s Aditya Neupane talked to few youths on the street of Sundhara, Kathmandu. Excerpts:

Sarita Shrestha-42, owner of Samna Bag Hub, Sundhara
Air is very important in our life. So we have to be serious toward maintaining air quality in our place. Air pollution affects everyone in our society so all of us should be aware about the consequences and health problems that air pollution can bring in our life. Change should start from us. Every individual should do their best to protect environment. Air condition in Kathmandu has been badly worsened and it has become just intolerable. I never come out of my house without a scarf and mask to protect me from air borne diseases. I recommend others to use mask and scarf because fuming dust and smoke of the valley may cause severe health complications such as respiratory and skin problems. Unmanaged works carrying out in the course of widening roads, industrialization, urbanization and rapid increase of population are some of the major reasons behind deteriorating air pollution. I therefore strongly demand that local representatives give top priority for this issue and work sincerely to minimize air pollution. I separate degradable and non-degradable waste and handover non-degradable waste to municipality.

Bikram Tamang-18, student of Hotel Management at Siddhartha Multiple College
I don’t know much about the health problems that air pollution can bring. But at least I know it’s bad for our health and I often stop other from polluting the environment. I think unmanaged works for widening of roads and unplanned urbanization are the major causes for air pollution in valley. I always try to avoid from going places where construction work is underway. If it is unavoidable, I visit such places using mask, hat and scarf. To protect environment from pollution I never fire the garbage in open areas. I believe air is very important in our life so we have to protect it. I think every person -- be it from government departments, construction companies or general public -- is responsible for worsening air quality in valley.

Pratik Paudel-19, BSC student at Tri-Chandra College
Air is a common property of all living beings so we have to protect it from getting polluted. I always try not to populate the air as it is very important part of our daily life. I am aware about the health problems and other consequences that air pollution can bring in our life and I always try to educate other about this. I use mask and scarf while getting out of my house. Similarly, I never open window of vehicle while traveling to protect myself from dust. I have noticed river banks, dumping sites, industrial areas (especially brick factories), and under construction road are the most pullulated areas in Kathmandu Valley. I always dispose wastes in a proper way and never burn garbage. Awareness programs on environment and other related issues in a regular basis will help sensitize people about this. Promoting the practice of tree plantation in a huge scale, introducing eco-friendly construction methods and shifting industries away from residential areas can help reduce pollution level significantly. 

Sabina Magar - 22, Journalism student at RR College
We human cannot live without breathing. So air is important for us. But air quality is deteriorating day by day due to dust, smoke and garbage. I really cannot tolerate pollution so, just like other people, I always use mask and other protective measures. I have heard that air pollution causes health complications such as skin and respiratory problems and may cause even heart-related ailments. Unmanaged construction, old vehicles, unplanned urbanization and industrialization are some of the major causes of increasing air pollution in Kathmandu. I am happy that our government is going to ban old vehicles. We should keep our houses and road clean, stop burning garbage in open area if we are really sincere toward environment. Similarly, I always handover non degradable garbage to vehicle of municipality and never fire them.

Rinu Gurung - 23, sociology student of PK College
I am well aware about air pollution. So, I avoid doing anything that causes air pollution and always try to aware other people about the consequences and health hazards that air pollution can bring in our life. I think we should mainly focus on making people aware about the air pollution and its negative impacts on our health. I have seen even educated people do not care about environment. So government should enforce laws strictly and fine people for their involvement in any activity causing air pollution. For last few years, so many areas in Kathmandu have been badly polluted mainly because of haphazard construction works. So I always use mask to protect myself from dust and smoke. I manage my household garbage properly and recommend other people to do the same. I believe that local people are equally responsible for the increase in pollution so I try my best to protect the environment from pollution and suggest neighbors, friends and relatives to do the same.