Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is set to launch a month-long campaign to educate residents about the harmful effects of air pollution.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced a month-long air pollution awareness campaign, starting December 16 and running until January 13. The initiative aims to inform residents about the health risks posed by worsening air quality and encourage preventive measures. Sarita Rai, chief of KMC’s Environment Department, emphasized the urgency of addressing air pollution, especially during the dry season when pollution levels spike. Recent data from IQ AirVisual ranked Kathmandu as the 10th most polluted city globally, with PM2.5 levels hitting hazardous levels.
To support the campaign, KMC is leveraging social media and engaging partner organizations to spread awareness. Residents are encouraged to wear masks outdoors, avoid burning waste, and adopt eco-friendly practices. In collaboration with the Partnership for Healthy Cities, KMC has begun installing portable air quality monitoring devices at Lainchaur, Chhetrapati, and its central office. Plans are underway to deploy 15 additional devices across the city.
Doctors and studies highlight the dire health consequences of air pollution, linking it to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancer. Nepal’s air quality often reaches hazardous levels, reducing life expectancy by nearly five years, as per the Air Quality Life Index. KMC’s initiative is a crucial step in safeguarding public health and raising awareness about the long-term impact of toxic air.