Citing to plastic waste management as a ‘global crisis’, Earth Day Network (a non-profit organization that conducts the Earth Day every year) informed that the World Earth Day 2018 is focused on ways to end plastic pollution globally.

A wide variety of events have been held across the world commemorating the World Earth Day 2018 with some of them being Green Room Festival 2018 by Japan, Billion Acts of Green by China, No-Plastic by Indian State of Karnataka, #StirCrazy Earth Day by Romania and the UK and Earth Day by the Bay in San Fransisco, among various others.

“There is a growing tidal wave of interest in ending plastic pollution and some countries and governments are already in the vanguard. Earth Day Network believes we can turn that tidal wave into a permanent solution to plastics pollution,” Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers said in a statement.

Case of Nepal

Like many other countries, Nepal has been striving for a clean and safe environment.

Towards this goal, the country and its citizens have been coming up with many eco-friendly initiatives including clean up campaigns, waste management programs, among various others.

#PollutionControl : Towards controlling vehicular pollution, the Government of Nepal has called for a ban on old vehicles aging more than 20 years.

#HornFreeWorld : Riding on the success of the horn-ban policy in its capital city Kathmandu, Nepal is also striving for achieving horn-free nation status through a serious implementation of the policy across the nation.

The policy’s success in Kathmandu was also referred to as a real-time example for efficient public-policy collaboration in Nepal. 

“In the entire South Asian region, this is one of the most successful initiatives by the traffic police. This is our pride. Now if you blow the horn, people will look at you just like in a developed country, as if you were uncivilized,” says Sudan Silwal, a senior police officer from Kathmandu Metropolitan Traffic Police (KMTP) department.

#GreenVehicles : Another interesting initiative of Nepal is the pitch for usage of green vehicles or electric vehicles run by alternative energy sources such as electricity, solar or biofuel, among others. The country is looking at a full-fledged transition to the usage of green vehicles or Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the next 10 years.

“With the right policies in place, we can achieve complete transition in 10 years,” says Nepal’s former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal, who also opines that Nepal’s transition to EVs will be faster than that of India.

#CleanEnergy : There is a growing trend of adopting clean energy solutions in Nepal. As a country with good water resources, Nepal is already riding high on its hydropower and is also ramping up efforts for full-fledged harnessing of alternative energy solutions like wind, solar, bio-fuel, among others.

#WasteManagement : With wide variety of activities, Nepal has always been effectively for waste management and has also set few classic examples like Dhankuta for effective waste management. The country has always been active in tackling waste management through mega clean-up campaigns for cleaning up tons of debris across all levels.

#CleanAir : Very recently, a Nepal-based private firm in collaboration with the US Embassy in Kathmandu has come up with an app called Safa Hawa for keeping a continuous check on air pollution and ensure clean air and environment to its citizens.

#PlasticFree : Nepal has also been taking various initiatives for a plastic-free environment. In 2011, the Nepali Ministry of Science Technology and Environment came up with the Plastic Bags Control and Regulation Directive prohibiting the import, storage, manufacture, sale and use of plastic bags less than 30 microns.

Likewise, Nepal has taken many such initiatives for safe and clean environment, and there the country also has various organisations working for such eco-friendly initiatives.

Plastic Haunts the Globe!

Research studies show alarming results about plastic pollution, globally.

A 2015 study by a team of environmentalists led by Environmental Engineer at the University of Georgia Jenna Jambeck found an estimated 275 million metric tons of plastic waste in 192 coastal countries as of 2010, with 4.8-12.7 million metric tons of that directly moving into the ocean.

A Washington DC based non-profit media house, in its research, also saw some astonishing results. It was shocked to find that 93 percent of bottled water sampled from nine countries and 94 percent of drinking water in the United States contained chemically-toxic plastic particles with many of those linked to major health diseases.

Action Plan

“Plastic pollution is now an ever-present challenge. We can see plastics floating in our rivers, ocean and lagoons, littering our landscapes and affecting our health and the future of billions of children and youth. We have all contributed to this problem –- mostly unknowingly,” Valeria Merino, Vice-President of Global Earth Day at Earth Day Network, said in a statement.

Speaking about further action plan, Rogers said, “This year, Earth Day Network will mobilize its global network of non-governmental organizations and grassroots groups as well as local elected officials, faith leaders, artists, athletes, students and teachers to build a world of educated consumers, voters and activists of all ages who understand the environmental, climate and health consequences of using plastic.”

Where it Started?

First celebrated in 1970, the World Earth Day emerged at the time when the pollution from industries was still legal and there were hardly any laws for environment protection.

Kickstarting the first World Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970, the then US Senator Gaylord Nelson took ahead the initiative across the nation, which eventually resulted in the inception of the today’s renowned regulatory body for environment protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Continuing with the pace, the Earth Day program went on further mobilizing millions across the world for fight against environmental issues on a global platform.

According to the Earth Day Network, around 1 billion people from 192 countries take part in the World Earth Day every year.

Let’s pledge for a plastic-free world! #PlasticFreeWorld

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The US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B Teplitz and the Department of Environment (DoE) Director General Durga Prasad Dawadi launched the app at a function held in Kathmandu on March 29, 2018.

Speaking on the occasion, Teplitz said, “Our goal is for the Safa Hawa app and the information that it makes available to help reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from air pollution and strengthen Nepal’s capacity to manage national health risks.”

The app, which also contributes to Digital Nepal initiative, was jointly developed by Bidhee Pvt Ltd. and the US Embassy in Kathmandu. It is available for free in both iOS and Android versions.

Key Areas That Need Attention

In her address at the launch event, Teplitz raised air pollution concerns in Nepal citing the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) findings by the Yale University and Columbia University released in January 2018.

EPI 2018 had termed Nepal as the country with the highest air quality concerns among 180 countries.

The Nepal Academy of Science and Technology records show as many as 35,000 deaths due to air pollution in Nepal, every year. 

 “Globally, air pollution is one of the leading risk factors for disease.  Experts say that over 7 million deaths can be attributed to air pollution every year. As we all know, many countries in South Asia, including Nepal, struggle with severe air pollution issues which impact the health and well-being of local populations,” says Teplitz.

Teplitz pointed out that the air pollution, especially in Kathmandu, could affect potential international investors’ willingness to invest in business and tourism, among other sectors of Nepal.

“From a very practical point, Kathmandu presents a very challenging aviation environment, given its terrain and congested airport.  As pollution increases in Kathmandu Valley, visibility is limited, leading to more delays for aircraft approaching Tribhuvan International Airport,” said Teplitz.

Safa Hawa, A Savior

According to the US Ambassador Teplitz, solutions such as installation of air filters, new manufacturing processes, timely recycling of wastage and data-informed policies can address Nepal’s air pollution concerns to some extent.

“We can halt the burning of garbage and plastics in our neighborhood and plant trees. The government can control vehicle emissions and business can change their processes as well as develop solutions to environmental issues,” she adds.

As part of its contribution, the US Embassy in Kathmandu had set up two Air Quality Monitors in Kathmandu in the Embassy grounds and at Fohora Durbar in Kathmandu’s central Thamel area, which provide real-time data on air pollution for both PM 2.5 particles and ozone.

Now, Safa Hawa will retrieve information recorded by two air-quality monitoring stations, informed Teplitz, while hoping that the app will contribute to a healthier Kathmandu.

She also hoped that the app information will also help the government in its efforts towards addressing air pollution concerns in the country, especially in the Valley.

“We hope this knowledge would spread awareness, and that breathers – and policy-makers – can use this information to push for changes in policy that will make communities cleaner and healthier,” read her statement.

Durga Prasad also hoped that Safa Hawa would soon disseminate the data collected by all the ten air-quality monitoring systems operating across the country.

The app, available in both English and Nepali languages, sends hourly notifications to the user on air-quality and also sends out health tips on a regular basis, say the developers.

For Clean Environment

Nepal has welcomed many such initiatives and campaigns to ensure a clean environment for its citizens.

Some of such key initiatives include measures to tackle climate change, introduction of horn-ban policy, promotion of green energy solutions, Everest Clean-up Campaign 2018, call for ban on old vehicles and effective waste management solutions, among others.

Also Read:
        1. Nepal For Clean Energy Solutions, Bets Big on Hydropower

        2. Tidy Nepal: Waste Management a Norm in Nepal, Dhankuta An Inspiration

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The Everest Clean-up Campaign 2018 began at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla from where around 5000 kg of waste on the Everest region has been airlifted through flights.

Another 100,000-kg solid waste was also collected from Gokyo, Pheriche, Gorakshep, Thame, Pangboche, Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Monju and Phakding, among other locations.

All the collected garbage has been carried to Kathmandu for further valuation and recycling.

Towards Sustainable Goals

This activity is part of UN’s commitment to support Nepal in achieving sustainable development to mitigate climate change.

While the campaign was inaugurated at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla, Yeti Airlines and its subsidiary Tara Air carried the waste with the help of campaigning partners as part of their commitment to support Nepal in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Waste management in the Himalayan region remains a challenge despite the continuous governmental efforts to fight the untidy environment caused by rapid tourism activity.

“It is our fight against environment degradation. Lukla is important to us as thousands of tourists visit the region. It is also in our interest to support this region. This campaign encourages to keep our Himalayas unspoiled,” says Umesh Chandra Rai, CEO, Yeti Airlines.

The airlines has already promised its support for cleaning 100 tonnes of waste from the Everest region.

“Such activities will help promote a culture of ethical and responsible business, while ultimately contributing to achieve the Sustainable Development goals,” says Valerie Juliand, UN Resident Co-ordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Nepal.

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Through this move, Nepal aims to control pollution, ease traffic movement and address other concerns caused by the old and poorly-maintained vehicles, to ensure a clean environment.

As part of the measures, the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has already issued orders to seize the vehicles falling under this category and cancel the driving licenses and permits of the vehicle owners.

“Traffic police will seize old vehicles seen plying the roads. DoTM has already informed traffic police to seize the license of drivers behind the wheel of such vehicles and impound the vehicles,” informed DoTM Director General Rupnarayan Bhattrai.

A decision in this regard roots back to January 2015.

Though the Cabinet called for a similar policy suggesting ban on old vehicles in February 2017 within the Kathmandu Valley, the rule did not see its real implementation owing to various reasons.

However, DoTM vows to a full-fledged enforcement this time.

“Maybe they are being used outside the Valley, but this time around we will enforce stringent measures all over the country,” adds Bhattarai.

According to the DoTM estimates, there are around 10,000 such vehicles across the country with 5,500 in Kathmandu alone.

Transport Owners Disagree

Various transport owners operating across the country feel that the new decision will hurt their business badly.

Terming this as unscientific, the transport associations and operators are calling for a roll-back of this decision.

Condemning the rule, Saroj Sitaula, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE), said the new decision lacks proper planning and will affect the public owning second-hand vehicles.

“We were not consulted before the authorities took the decision. They don’t have any plan on what to do with the vehicles,” says Dharma Rimal, another FNNTE official.

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