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Incidences of forest fires reported across Nepal have led to a surge in air pollution in major cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Air quality has deteriorated significantly, with Kathmandu ranking as the third most polluted city globally this afternoon, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 165.

It was measured 158 in Khumaltar, 175 around the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and 120 in the Ratnapark area and these measurements are highly concerning given public health. 

According to environmental activist Rajan Thapa, an AQI above 100 poses a severe risk to human health.

An AQI value of 50 is considered good for public health, from 51-100 moderate, 100-150 unhealthy and it is highly hazardous if measured 150-200.

Typically, Nepal experiences approximately 2,500 incidents of wildfires annually, with a majority (80 percent) occurring between the last week of February and the last week of May. The period from mid-March to mid-May is particularly vulnerable, accounting for 60 percent of reported forest fires.

The main contributors to air pollution include carbon emissions from vehicles, dust from road repairs and construction, emissions from industries and brick kilns, poor waste management practices, and forest fires. Addressing these issues systematically is needed, he asserted.

Promoting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles can significantly mitigate air pollution, according to Thapa.

 However, meteorologist Barun Paudel warns that the upcoming week is unlikely to see rainfall, posing challenges in containing forest fires. A potential heat wave could exacerbate dry conditions, further increasing the risk of wildfires.

Wildfire expert Sundar Sharma said that the surge in forest fires has worsened air quality in major towns like Kathmandu. Wildfire smoke poses serious health risks, including eye problems. According to the United States-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Nepal reported forest fires at 130 locations across the country on Monday.

Sharma shared about a concerning trend of increasing environmental dryness in Nepal, with a notable rise in forest fires over the past three days. "Control measures for forest fires are required to tackle air pollution," he asserted.

Similarly, Spokesperson of the Forests and Environment Ministry, Badri Raj Dhungana, said lack of state's adequate investment, awareness and inter-bodies coordination for the improvement of air quality are reasons behind such problems.

He underlined, "Air pollution is increasing in lack of provision of environmental impact assessment in the course of constructing different projects, lack of effective implementation of rules related to garbage management and environmental standard."

Dhungana pointed out the need of forwarding publicity activities to control forest fire was necessary as pollution is increasing due to forest fire, he stressed.

Chest specialist, Dr Niraj Bam, said air pollution has been posing short-term and long-term health problems on human health.

Respiratory diseases, common cold and cough, asthma, lung cancer, high blood pressure, paralysis and heart attack are also caused by air pollution.

People suffering from such health problems should be alert during the air pollution, he mentioned.

Chest Specialist Bam urged one and all to limit themselves inside the house if possible during pollution hour, to use mask compulsorily if it is urgent to go out and avoid early morning walk as the air is more polluted in the morning.

Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, 2076 BS, an AQI of more than 300 is considered a disaster. In order to prevent this disaster, it has been mentioned in the action plan not to burn garbage, to increase the use of brooms and vacuums to clean the roads, and to issue public notices to children, senior citizens and patients to take special precautions.

Similarly, in the National Environment Policy, 2076 BS, it is mentioned that national standards related to prevention of water, air, soil, sound, electricity, magnetic waves, radioactive radiation, and hazardous chemical pollution will be prepared and implemented in order to reduce pollution.

According to the strategy, air, water and sound quality will be mapped by establishing and operating quality measurement centers in areas at risk of pollution including major cities and industrial establishments.

It is mentioned in the policy that environment-friendly technology will be implemented to manage polluted smoke, dust, and water emitted from industries and other businesses sectors. RSS

Police have arrested Managing Director of Birgunj National Medical College and Teaching Hospital Shahanawaz Hussain Ansari and Lab head Sanjay Shah.

Police took both of them under control after finding expired medicines and chemicals in the lab and pharmacy of the medical college.

Both of them have been kept at the District Police Office, Parsa, DSP Keshar Neupane, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Parsa said.

A market monitoring committee of the Birgunj Metropolitan City carried out a raid at the lab and pharmacy of the medical college.

During the monitoring, expired chemicals and medicines were found in the pharmacy, Kanhaiya Thakur, a member of the monitoring committee, said.

SP Kumod Dhungel of the District Police Office, Parsa also participated in the monitoring team.

Ghode Jatra, also known as the Horse Racing Day which falls on the Nepali month of Chaitra, is being celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley with much gusto on Monday.

The Ghode Jatra is known as the oldest festival celebrated in the country's cultural hub of the Valley.

The festival is being celebrated annually as per a mythology which relates the genesis of the festival after the death of a demon named Tundi.

Legend has it that the demon who lived on a meadow, which is now at Tundikhel, used to instigate terror among the Kathmandu denizens. After his death people rejoiced by dancing on his body by riding horses.

There is a belief that the parade of horses at Tundikhel keeps the demon's spirit away. The faster the horses run, the better Tundi's spirit is dispelled. As per another legend, the Ghode Jatra is held to mark the start of the New Year.

The festival is celebrated on the day of Krishna Aunsi, as per the lunar calendar, which is a day before the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and this day is taken as the start of the New Year.

The horse parade, known religiously as Aswa Yatra, is organized to welcome the New Year.

The day before Ghode Jatra is also known as Pichas Chaturdarshi, as per lunar calendar.

On the day, the Nepali Army cavalry team performs different artistic stunts riding on their horses.

A Nepali national drowned while another has gone missing in the sea in Portugal. The incident took place at Montijo, close to Lisbon, in the night on April 6.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Dhana Bahadur Tamang of Katunje, Netrawati Dabajong Rural Municipality-5, Dhading district of Nepal. The missing one is Tek Bahadur Tamang (38) of the same place.

The incident happened when the Tamang duo were searching for sea food in the sea at Montijo, said Gopal Yonjan, Chairman of Tamang Society Portugal. According to Yonjan, a rescue team recovered Dhana Bahadur's body on Sunday while Tek Bahadur is still reported missing.