Playing with fire

Lately, the valley has regained the ignominy of being ranked the most polluted place on the planet.

Back in the 18th century, Prithvi Narayan Shah, training his eyes from the Chandragiri hills, was supposedly entranced by the sight of Kathmandu Valley: Its verdant surrounding mountains, the majestic temples of the three cities, the fecund soil. Perhaps there was also a waft of cool breeze blowing, filling his lungs with the freshest air. Shah wouldn’t be so impressed now. For one, he wouldn’t even see half the valley that is perpetually blanketed in thick smog. The concrete jungle that he did see would have inspired more woe and wonder. And he would think many times before deeply inhaling the toxic air.