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Air pollution of Kathmandu Valley has increased following the forest fires that occurred across the country for the past few days.

Based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), Kathmandu has been ranked as the topmost polluted city globally this afternoon, recording an AQI of 200.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, Tara Dutta Bhatta, said there is an effect of forest fires in the air of different cities including Kathmandu.

"The air pollution of Kathmandu had also increased a few weeks ago. It becomes more polluted today," he mentioned, adding the air pollution would increase until forest fire comes under control.

Similarly, Disaster Management expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti, said an AQI value of up to 50 is considered good while 51-100 moderate, 100-150 unhealthy and it is highly hazardous if measured 150-200.

Likewise, AQI value from 201 to 300 is considered very unhealthy while 300-400 dangerous and 401-450 very dangerous.  

Air Quality Management Action Plan for Kathmandu Valley, 2076, reads that an AQI of more than 300 is considered as a 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 to stop such type of disaster as well as to issue public notices to children, senior citizens and patients to take special precautions.

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 areas.

Kabiraj Negi Lama is the team coach for the National Para Taekwondo Team for Nepal. Holding a 6th Dan black belt, he began coaching para taekwondo in 2015, later receiving training in South Korea. Additionally, he is a certified international-level coach in Para taekwondo. Over the years, he has coached for nine international competitions, leading Nepal to claim 10 medals from both World Taekwondo and International Paralympic games.

Lama coached teams in major events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, the 4th Asian Para Games in China, and the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain in 2021. He also worked for seven years as an Executive Assistant at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), apart from his volunteer work in Para Taekwondo coaching.

Lama lost his mother at an early age. He was raised by his aunt and grandfather, who were his guardians and strong support systems. While attending school near Pashupati Bankali, he was introduced to taekwondo, which sparked his interest in the game. Soon, he began training  children at schools and fitness clubs as well. His dedication caught the attention of the Taekwondo Association Nepal which appointed him to train for Para Taekwondo competitions, eventually earning him international coaching recognition.

At 34, Lama inspires people with disabilities to pursue sports. He believes nothing should hold them back. However, he acknowledges the difficulty of training athletes with upper limb deficiencies but he remains dedicated to training them. For these athletes, he takes on roles beyond that of a coach, acting as a parent, caretaker, and constant source of motivation. Lama prioritizes their emotional well-being and physical safety, maintaining a delicate balance throughout the training process.

Although his grandfather had hoped for him to join the British army, Lama couldn’t meet the height and weight criteria. Taekwondo, however, became his true calling and brought deeper purpose to his life. He has gained recognition as a coach within the National Sports Council and Taekwondo committee and Lama is grateful for all that he has and the path he has chosen.

Para Taekwondo began in Nepal in 2013 with the aim of promoting sports and inclusivity. As a coach, Lama first learns about the body structure of disabled athletes with upper limb deficiencies or amputations and helps them prepare mentally and physically before teaching them tactics and techniques for balance and winning kicks.

He finds joy in their success. He says he was proud when Shrijana Ghising won the Gold Medal in the Riyadh 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Final against top-ranked opponents. Additionally, Lama reflects on Palesha Goverdhan’s historic achievement in becoming the first Nepali Paralympian to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “My students never fail to impress me with their stamina and courage. I’m proud to be their couch,” he says.

Lama ensures his students are well-prepared for victory and inspires them to give nothing less than their best. He instills in them the ethos of representing their country without compromise or excuse. Win or lose, Lama encourages his students to embrace the outcome and learn lessons from every game. 

His devotion and coaching abilities have earned him fame and prestige, including the Best Coach Award from the Nepal Olympic Committee in 2022. But for Lama, true success lies in the achievements of his students. The ten medals they’ve won with his guidance show just how impactful his coaching has been.

His dedication stretches further than just coaching. He’s determined to raise the profile of taekwondo in Nepal, always busy with tasks like learning new international game rules, researching, attending seminars, and improving his coaching skills to nurture top-level athletes. Balancing training, volunteering, and other responsibilities leaves him feeling guilty for not spending more time with his family. But his family admires his sacrifices and efforts, and says he is a key player in Nepal’s victory in the international arena.

Lama believes every individual has a part to play in contributing to the country. “Our government should focus on hiring more coaches to improve professional sports,” he says. He emphasizes that coaches should be given good incentives so that they give it their all while training athletes. He also says he wishes for greater recognition of Nepalis athletes. At the moment, he’s working on getting Nepal to participate in more international games. He hopes to train more players who can bring back medals for the country.

Bimala Tumkhewa has been a prominent figure in Nepali literature and media for nearly two decades, carving out a distinguished presence in both realms.

Her writing style not only challenges patriarchal norms but also voices against injustice and inequality. Raised on tales of distant lands by her father, Khadga Bahadur Limbu, who served in the Gurkha battalion, Tumkhewa’s formative years were shaped by his struggles, influencing her deeply.

After Khadga Bahadur’s passing, Tumkhewa defied societal norms by performing his last rites, traditionally reserved for sons. Far from weakening her resolve, this act seemed to strengthen her, reflected in her increasingly powerful writing, particularly her acclaimed love poems.

Currently serving as the central president of Sancharika Samuha, a forum advocating for women journalists, Tumkhewa leads initiatives to address gender issues in media and promote a fairer society. Under her leadership, the organization has worked tirelessly to empower female journalists, advocating for gender-friendly policies and facilitating opportunities for their professional growth.

Tumkhewa’s bold personality was shaped by her upbringing in Pathari, Morang, where she defied societal expectations to pursue her passions in literature and journalism. Despite being the sole daughter after her brothers’ passing, her parents’ unwavering support fueled her literary endeavors and her stance against inequality.

While many of her peers pursued opportunities abroad, Tumkhewa remained dedicated to her craft, primarily focusing on poetry before branching out into storytelling and memoirs. Motherhood marked a significant shift in her perspective, influencing her creative output and inspiring her upcoming collection of stories.

Believing writers must hold themselves accountable to society, Tumkhewa has consistently used her platform to denounce injustice and immorality, challenging established norms through her writing.

Her journey to Kathmandu in 2001 was marked by the discovery of a city different from her village, yet her love for poetry forged a deep connection with its streets. Despite facing hardships, she immersed herself in the literary scene, contributing to the rich tapestry of Nepali literature.

During the 2006 protests, Tumkhewa actively participated, alongside a diverse array of citizens, in advocating for democracy. Reflecting on the camaraderie of that time, she notes a sense of disconnection among contemporary writers, contrasting with the solidarity witnessed during the protests.

Recognizing the ongoing injustices faced by Nepali women, Tumkhewa emphasizes the need for greater acknowledgment of their contributions, advocating for female representation in key positions, such as the chancellorship of the Nepal Academy, to elevate their status further.

The streets of Kathmandu would be filled with protesters every day during the 2006 protest. Within moments, the streets would be littered with tear gas, water cannons, stones, and brick pieces. Commoners, lawyers, journalists, poets and writers had all taken to the streets. Tumkhewa joined the protests daily. During those days, places like Gurukul, Naya Baneshwor, Putalisadak, Bagbazar, Ratnapark and Khullamanch would be teeming with protesters. Writers from across the country had converged on the streets. 

This was the first time such a massive number of citizens had taken to the streets for democracy after the protests of 1950, 1960 and 1990. “The current environment is not like that time. Back then, there was a deep camaraderie among poets and writers. Now, we may seem close on social media, but our hearts are far apart,” she added.

The list of injustices and violence that Nepali women have had to endure solely for being women is quite long. Although women have risen above the situation of having to commit sati (self-immolation) upon their husband’s death, Nepali society is still not free from such crimes. Women’s contributions at all levels and stages are significant, but their true value and recognition have not been adequately acknowledged. Since Nepali women have assumed all important positions in the country, Tumkhewa feels if the Nepal Academy has a female chancellor, its dignity would be enhanced further.

The Mahakumbha Mela, a grand religious fair, is beginning at Chatara of Barahachhetra municipality-1 in Sunsari today.

President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the fair, according to Ramesh Karki, Mayor of Barahachhetra municipality, and Co-Chair of Mela main organizing committee.

The grand fair, which runs for a month, is expected to draw some 3 million visitors. Arrangement has been made accordingly; the organizing committee shared.

Total 2,000 security persons including the Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, have been mobilized on the inaugural day. The number of visitors will be estimated with the help of CCTV footage.

There are 26 sub-committees under the main organizing committee for the effective management of the grand fair. Similarly, the fair will have 480 trade stalls.

The organizing committee has banned the sales and distribution of alcohol in the area for 40 days.