DECEMBER 19, 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND SOLUTIONS UNIK PAUDEL XI ‘H’ unik.paudel.official@gmail.com CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 2 2. OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................ 3 3. STUDY AREA ...................................................................................................................... 3 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................................... 4 5. RESULTS .............................................................................................................................. 4 6. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 6 7. RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................................................... 7 8. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 7 9. ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................. 8 1 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 1. INTRODUCTION Global Scenario: The widespread prevalence of pollution began with the industrial revolution and has escalated with growing economies and populations. Major types of pollution include air, land, and water pollution. Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death, causing approximately 9.0 million deaths every year globally. According to World Bank Group, the global waste is expected to increase to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. This has led to significant economic costs, with air pollution costing the globe $8.1 trillion in the year 2022. National Scenario: The current status of pollution in Nepal is concerning. The annual average emission of PM2.5 was 81.1 micrograms per cubic meter, placing Nepal only behind India, in 2019. Air pollution was responsible for the death of 42,100 people in the same year. A report by the Department of Environment of Nepal reveals that air pollution shortens the average Nepali’s life by 4.1 years. These figures highlight the grave status of pollution in the country. Local Scenario: Even in my locality, status of pollution is concerning. Air pollution continues to exist, but is relatively faded out as compared to the status of air pollution in other places. A pond, in my locality, has been suffering from water pollution for continuous two years. Similarly, there is a biscuit factory that had been causing land pollution, but recently it was closed. The pollution in my locality is in decline at present time. Why this report? The pollution is of grave nature at global, national and local level. The cause of pollution and its acute effects must be publicized to raise local awareness. Every people should hold some knowledge on mitigating pollution from their post and position. We are the one who can transfer the society from pollution-filled to pollution-free. Thus, taking these facts into consideration, I have prepared this report. 2 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 2. OBJECTIVES The major objectives of this research are mentioned below: To document different forms of pollution persisting in my community To identify causes and effects of different types of pollution To determine successful solutions for mitigating the pollution To emphasize the status of pollution so that the local government will take actions 3. STUDY AREA The study area encompasses certain area of Parshyang, Pokhara-5, where I live in. This area provides a representative sample for understanding the status and effects caused by environmental pollution in the entire Pokhara city. The research was conducted around the geographical coordinate: 28°13'29.2"N 83°58'29.6"E (My residence), and also around a pond and a factory as shown below. The geographical map highlighting the study area of this research is given below: 3 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was 10 days long spanning from December 8 to December 18. The first 8 days were separated for inferring information and data received from primary data sources. These sources comprised direct observation of the study area, few home visits, consultation with local people, interviewing with the victims of pollution, and questionnaire sampling. I was equipped with a pen, diary and mobile phone for collecting all the useful information delivered by the locals. Per day, around five people of my community were questioned about pollution. Home visits were often conducted and few people were given questionnaire prepared by me. After collecting data, I used to infer them in the evening for a successful conclusion. The last 2 days were for collecting information from secondary data sources. The sources included newspapers, journals, magazines, articles, research reports, and internet. Although I got information to some extent, secondary sources were not as effective as the primary data sources. 5. RESULTS After the end of research, I observed that different types of pollution were going on in my locality. The existing pollutions were air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. The air pollution was throughout the locality, but in small volume. Water pollution was observed mainly in a pond and very few other sources of water. Land pollution was seen around the factory area and some agricultural lands. Some causes and effects of the above-mentioned pollution is given below in the table: . s 4 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel S.N Types of Pollution Causes -Dusts from sand pits -Dusts from constructional activities 1. Air Pollution Effects - Increased risk of respiratory problems to locals -Effect on local weather pattern and climate change -Emission by transportation vehicles -Effect on animals and plants -Smokes from household burning, campfires, bbq -Unpleasant odors, causing discomfort to people -Harm to aquatic life -Disposal of waste in water -Contamination of pond water -Construction site runoff Water Pollution -Bathing and washing clothes in the pond 2. -Deposition of air pollutants in water -Impact on fisheries and tourism industry -Loss of recreational activities like swimming -Long-term environmental damage -Depletion of soil nutrients -Improper waste disposal Land Pollution -Persistent use of pesticides and fertilizers 3. -Constructional activities -Soil erosion due to lack of plants and trees -Reduction in vegetable yields -Loss of useful microorganisms of the soil -Habitat destruction for animals and plants -Health problems due to exposure to contaminated soil Source: Field Observation [December 10 and 11], consultation with locals, internet . . 5 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 6. CONCLUSION Based upon the result, I can conclude that air, water and land pollution endure in my locality. The status of air pollution is not much severe as it is found sporadically. Water pollution is severe around the pond area while land pollution in agricultural lands. Air pollution is mainly caused due to emission smokes and dusts from constructional activities, and vehicles. Waste disposal, household washing in pond are the major causes for water pollution, while land pollution continues to exist due to improper waste management, continuous use of fertilizers and constructional activities. The effect brought by pollution is not favorable. All people of my locality are hit by pollution. Because of air pollution, we sense unpleasant smell in the air . Water pollution has been responsible for contamination of water and death of fishes in the pond. Similarly, land pollution has resulted in reduction of crop yields and habitat destruction of plants. Although pollution is already caused, I deduced some ways to mitigate them, that include: For air pollution: The 3Rs, use of public vehicles instead of personal, promotion of clean energy sources like biogas, monitoring air quality from time to time by local government, fines and charges for polluters For water pollution: Sewage treatment, best agricultural practices, solid waste management, public awareness programs, community cleanup events along water bodies, pet waste management For land pollution: Waste reduction, proper waste disposal, soil testing and monitoring, pollution-free agricultural practices, afforestation, community cleanup campaigns, encouragement to composting for local gardens . 6 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 7. RECOMMENDATION Based on the comprehensive field visit, careful observations, and insightful analysis of the results, I have several key recommendations to address and prevent environmental pollution. 1. It is important that the local government should implement stringent regulatory measures that include emission standards for factories, promotion of biomass, use of vehicles not more than 10 years, (etc.). 2. One of the great ways to educate a mass of people at a single time is public awareness. So, the responsibility of conducting periodic awareness campaign can be taken by the Mothers’ Club, Youths’ Club of my locality. 3. The major cause for all three pollutions in my locality is improperly managed waste. So, I urge the municipal government to establish a systematized waste management system and facilitate every locality with bimonthly garbage collector service. 4. Pollution is not only the concern of government, but also of people. Therefore, it is necessary that every people should execute possible measures from their side that can be following 3Rs method, building their own kitchen garden, limiting the use of plastic bags, planting trees around the house, using eco-friendly products, using public vehicles, and so on. 5. People should be united in a monthly cleanliness campaign through which polluted water bodies, lands, roads, fields, (etc.) can be clean thoroughly 8. REFERENCES https://pollution.gov.np , https://kathmandupost.com , https://journals.ametsoc.org , https://www.leesu.fr , https://www.aqi.in/in/dashboard/nepal/gandaki/pokhara , https://www.accuweather.com , https://www.tomorrow.io , https://nepalitimes.com, , https://www.researchgate.net, https://www.hindawi.com 7 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel 9. ANNEXES Some photos related to pollution in my locality are given below: Fig: Pollution in Khunde Pokhari Fig: Improperly managed waste Similarly, a blank sample of questionnaire that I used is given below: 8 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel Finally, names of people with whom I consulted are mentioned below: Bindu Paudel, Cafyna Paudel, Karna Bahadur Chhetri, Kalpana Chhetri, Harihar Upadhya, Sukra Raj Paudel, Juna Paudel, Indira Tiwari Chettri, Padam Paudel, Rajan Adhikari, Sabeena Tiwari, Bishnu Paudel, Yadunath Paudel, Deepak Giri, Mina Tiwari, Himlal Upadhya, Bir Bahadur Thapa, Parbati Khadka, Swechha Rimal, Sita Tiwari, Susmita Paudel 9 Environmental Pollution Unik Paudel
