As winter advances, Bhaktapur air worsens

KATHMANDU, Dec 14 - You may not believe that during winters the pollution level in the Bhaktapur Darbar Square reaches the same level as in Putalisadak. Moreover, as the winter sets in, Kathmanduites can expect the levels of pollution to rise in the valley.

According to Bhushan Tuladhar, Executive Director, Clean Energy Nepal, the Brick kilns, mostly situated in Bhaktapur area, are responsible for such high levels of pollution.

Most brick kilns in the Kathmandu Valley operate from the month of December till May. A study conducted by Clean Energy Nepal in Tikathali village of Bhaktapur in 2002 showed that during the brick baking season the concentration of particulate matter (particles most hazardous to health) is three times higher than during off-season.

Moreover, a World Bank study done in 1996 said that Kathmandu’s kilns are responsible for 31 per cent of the total suspended particles and 28 per cent of the particulate matter of 10 microns (PM10) in the Valley. There are currently 115 brick kilns operating in the valley.

This means the degradation in the quality of air will be experienced throughout the winter in the valley. Tuladhar said that the concern is primarily on the PM10 as they can enter the respiratory system. He said the contribution of brick kilns on PM10 was found to be 28 per cent higher than other sources.

International studies have found that increasing cases of bronchitis, asthma, decreased lung function, coughing and eye irritation are linked with deteriorating air quality. However, there are alternate brick making technologies available like fixed chimney kilns to reduce emission.

Chiranjivi Gautam, advisor at the Urban Environment and Air Quality Monitoring cell at the Environment Sector Programme Support of the Ministry of Population and Environment, said the government was considering changing the current moving chimneys to fixed chimney kilns.

Gautam said that a change in technology would considerably bring down the pollution level in the valley. He also said there was a need to train the people working in the brick kiln business to bring down the pollution levels.

A study conducted by TATA Energy Research Institute (TERI) in India indicated that simple improvement to kilns can save energy consumption by 20 per cent and reduce dust particles 10 times.