AIR POLLUTION IN HIMALAYAN COUNTRIES

By C K Nayak

Himalayan countries, where more than half of the world’s population lives, are facing one of the worst environmental crises- Air Pollution. Though it is a worldwide problem, these countries- China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal seem to be the worst hit. The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan with much less population is the only exception, where the magnitude is less because of its huge forest cover. Out of a dozen top most polluted countries in the world, five are Himalayan countries- Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal and China, in that order.