Urban air quality management strategy in Asia - Kathmandu Valley report
Larssen, Steinair | Gram, Frederick | Haugsbakk, Ivar | Jansen, Huib | Olsthoorn, Xander | Giri, Anil S. | Shah, Rishi | Shrestha, Madan L. | Shrestha, Bimila | Shah, Jitendra J. [editor] | Nagpal, Tanvi [editor]
This report aims to assist policy makers in the design and implementation of policies, monitoring, and management tools to restore air quality in Kathmandu, the political and commercial hub of Nepal. The population of Kathmandu Valley grew by 44 percent from 1980 to 1990. This growth was accompanied by a doubling in the number of vehicles. The number of registered brick kilns, one of the main industries, tripled in the same time period. Atmospheric visibility data show a substantial decrease in the number of clear days and point to particulate pollution as a grewing problem in Kathmandu. This report suggests an action plan listing abatement measures for the short, medium and long terms. A single institution with a clear mandate and sufficient resources should be made responsible for air quality management in the city. In addition, data gathering and processing capabilities need vast improvements. Technically it is crucial that pollution from brick kilns and the cement industry be better monitored. In terms of vehicular pollution, it is crucial that gross polluters be identified and penalized. Diesel quality should be improved and unleaded gasoline made widely available. Awareness raising through public and private organizations, including educational institutions, is key to bringing about policy change in matters related to air pollution.
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