Kathmandu – A new survey by Taza Initiative Nepal has highlighted growing concern over air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley, while pointing to a significant gap in access to reliable air-quality information.
The survey, conducted among 1,200 residents of the Kathmandu Valley, found that 81.2% of respondents consider air pollution hazardous to extremely hazardous to their health. However, 94.1% of those who monitor air quality said they rely on their senses, including smell, visibility and eye irritation, rather than official data.
Overall, 52.3% of respondents rated their local air quality as poor to very poor. Negative perceptions were highest in Lalitpur (60.9%), followed by Kathmandu (59.2%) and Bhaktapur (56%). In North Kathmandu, 35.9% of respondents rated air quality negatively.
The survey also found a major difference in air-quality awareness based on education. Only 10.8% of respondents with primary education or below knew how to check air quality, compared with 63% of those with a master’s degree or higher.
Motor vehicles and traffic emissions were identified as major pollution sources by 98.6% of respondents, while 94.8% pointed to road-construction dust.
There was strong public support for measures to reduce pollution. 79.9% supported expanded public transport and electric mobility, while 71.5% backed stronger dust-control measures and urban greenery. At the same time, 70.4% expressed dissatisfaction with government efforts to tackle air pollution.
For personal protection, 82% said they use surgical masks or scarves, while 43.4% said they had taken no personal measures against air pollution.
The survey also found that pollution could be influencing decisions to leave the Valley. Among the 7.2% of respondents considering leaving Kathmandu Valley, 39.1% cited poor air quality as a contributing factor, second only to economic pressure and inflation at 47.8%.
Roshani Giri, Executive Director of Taza Initiative Nepal, said the findings show a critical gap between public concern about pollution and access to scientific information.
Taza Initiative Nepal said it will focus on expanding air-quality monitoring, improving access to data and strengthening air-quality literacy programmes across the Kathmandu Valley to help residents make informed decisions and take part in efforts to improve air quality.
