Life and death

The country’s number one killer, air pollution is no longer something we can take for granted.

The simple act of breathing has become dangerous. What was once a valley of pristine air, clear skies and stunning mountain views has now become a place smothered in toxic air. Haze has become a regular phenomenon in Kathmandu, completely obscuring the mountains. In the dry season, the deadly smog grows so dense that even the valley’s striking hills are barely visible. While the wealthier ones navigate the city in their private vehicles, those who cannot afford it have to walk or use public vehicles that release black exhaust. Moreover, the poor who rely on the streets for their livelihood—such as vendors, peddlers, and other outdoor workers—are continuously exposed to this harmful air, which is reducing our life expectancy by an average of 3.4 years. As if this weren’t already alarming enough, a recent World Bank report has revealed that air pollution has emerged as the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal.