In Nepal, the Department of Environment has urged the public not to burn solid and plastic wastes at the onset of winter after the rise in air pollution in several parts of the country, including the Kathmandu Valley. Presently, a few locations in Kathmandu Valley have AQI as 149 to 158. The Department has been measuring air pollution through various stations across the country.

Air pollution has increased in the Tarai region and the Kathmandu Valley for the past few weeks. The Department informed that the main causes of air pollution were smoke emanating from industries, factories and vehicles, forest fires, open waste burning and burning of agricultural residues, smoke emanating from homes, and dust from roads and construction sites, among others.

An air quality index between 101 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. 151 to 200 is considered unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very harmful and 301 is dangerous levels. During winters, a phenomenon called temperature inversion often occurs. During winter, if fossil fuel, solid waste and plastic waste are excessively burnt, pollutants are trapped in cooler air near the surface under a layer of warmer air, preventing pollutants from escaping. This causes smog and particulate matter (PM) to accumulate near the ground.

Noting that air pollution has a critical impact on human health, the Department has requested special precautions targeting children, the elderly, pregnant women, and respiratory and heart patients as they are most vulnerable to pollution impacts.