Kathmandu Valley air pollution: high concern, weak access to reliable information

A survey has shown that although residents of Kathmandu Valley are worried about air pollution, they find it difficult to get reliable information on air quality.

The survey was conducted among 1,200 valley residents by Taja Initiative Nepal, a non-profit organisation established this year. The organisation released the survey's findings alongside its launch.

The organisation said it works on research, air quality monitoring and evidence-based solutions to reduce pollution in the valley.

In the survey, about 81 percent of respondents considered the valley's air harmful to extremely harmful. However, around 94 percent of those who assess air quality do not rely on official data, instead depending on their own senses, such as smell, visibility and eye irritation.

About 52 percent rated the air in their own area as poor to very poor; in Lalitpur, around 61 percent held this view. As a solution, about 80 percent supported expanding public transport and electric vehicles.