Kathmandu Valley residents rely on senses to assess air pollution
Summary
A survey of 1,200 Kathmandu Valley residents found that most consider air pollution a serious health risk, but many still judge air quality by smell, visibility and eye irritation rather than official data. The study also found strong support for cleaner transport and dust-control measures, alongside widespread dissatisfaction with government efforts.
Key Points
- A new survey found that 81.2% of Kathmandu Valley residents view air pollution as hazardous to extremely hazardous to health.
- Most people who check air quality rely on their senses rather than official data, while only a small share know how to access reliable pollution information.
- Lalitpur recorded the highest share of negative air-quality ratings, followed by Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
- Respondents strongly supported public transport expansion, electric mobility, dust control and urban greening, but many were dissatisfied with government action.
