Kathmandu
Air pollution has become Nepal’s top health threat, reducing average life expectancy by 3.4 years and causing around 26,000 early deaths each year, a new World Bank report has revealed. Titled Towards Clean Air in Nepal, the report highlights the severe impact of pollution on public health, productivity, and the national economy.
The Kathmandu Valley and the Terai region remain pollution hotspots, showing little improvement over the last decade. The report also stated that air pollution is costing Nepal more than six percent of its GDP annually by harming productivity, tourism, and aviation.
“Air pollution affects labour and cognitive ability, leading to major economic losses,” the report noted.
Nepal’s Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, stressed the importance of action, stating, “Clean air and economic growth can go hand in hand. The cost of ignoring pollution is much higher than investing in solutions today.”
The report emphasized that air pollution in Nepal comes from many sources — including vehicles, industries, household fuels, forest fires, and even pollution drifting from neighbouring countries.
The World Bank has pledged support to Nepal in tackling air pollution through financial, technical, and capacity-building assistance. “We are committed to helping Nepal achieve cleaner air for better health and prosperity,” said David Sislen, World Bank Country Director.
Pollution is responsible for a high percentage of many diseases in Nepal, including 75% of chronic lung disease cases and 44% of heart diseases, along with serious impacts on newborn health and diabetes.
The report calls for urgent, multi-sector action to improve air quality across the nation.
