"Vehicle Emissions And Smog Emitted By Brick Kilns Are Two Major Polluters Of Quality Of Air"
Bal Krishna Prasai
BAL KRISHNA PRASAI, Secretary at Ministry of Environment and Science and Technology, is a career civil servant. A science graduate, Prasai has served at various ministries before he joined the Environment Ministry at the last leg of his career. Prasai spoke with KESHAB POUDEL on various issues regarding the government's present environment policies. Excerpts :
What do you say about the recently published international report terming Kathmandu valley as a worse place in terms of quality of air?
There is no doubt that Kathmandu valley's air quality is not good and it is one of the cities in Asia with high level of pollution. So far as the recent report published by Asian Development Bank terming Kathmandu as a worse city in Asia in terms of quality of air is concerned, we don't agree with it. Our studies have also shown that the air quality is not bad as the report stated.
What do you say then?
I told you that it is not true. Even the data quoted in the report are old. Senior officials of the Ministry who were attending the meeting in Indonesia immediately raised objection to the report. The report pointed out that Nepal 's environmental management was poor. It is also completely wrong.
Has the government obtained the ADB's report?
We have not read the whole report yet. We don't know how the consultants working in such a prestigious organization like Asian Development Bank prepared the report terming Kathmandu as one of the worst cities in Asia in terms of air quality.
For a city with tourism significance , the report has already sent bad message around the world. What plan does the government have to counter the argument presented in the report?
Yes, it has damaged a lot. Since we have effective and modern system to analyze and collect the air quality, we have already distributed it in different areas. Our efforts will pay as the report does not consist of authentic information. We are disseminating the information through our website.
How do you say that your environment management is effective and air pollution control program is effective?
In the areas of air quality control, we have been launching some very effective programs. The quality of air is measured from different places. Nepal is one of the countries in South Asia with a good system to monitor the air quality.
Don't you think Nepal needs to take some necessary steps?
Of course, we need to take some measures to improve the quality of air in Kathmandu valley. From vehicle emissions to the smoke coming from brick kilns, all are adding different particles into the air. We are planning to introduce certain mechanism to improve the quality of air by reducing the level of emissions. Vehicle emissions and smog emitted by brick kilns are two major polluters of quality of air. The poor quality of roads in the valley is also contributing to deteriorate the air quality. Our recent studies have shown that various kinds of particles including dust are very high in the air. We have set an ambitious standard for the quality of air. The level of air pollution is still higher than our own standard and we need to take steps to improve them.
What is the ministry doing now?
Our ministry is now in the process of collecting information regarding the quality of air. We will take necessary measures after studying the report. We are also taking initiative to reduce the level of smog coming out from brick kiln. The ministry is now preparing a pollution standard for brick kilns. Most of the brick kilns in the valley have introduced modern technology by reducing the level of emissions but it is still higher. We are now promoting a new technology of VS nickey. This is a very costly technology and all brick kilns cannot afford it. We must, however, switch from old system. Even Supreme Court has directed us to take necessary steps to reduce the level of pollution from brick kiln. As we don't have any standard of pollution prepared for brick kiln, we cannot remove brick kilns randomly. Even we don't have report regarding the level of pollution emitted by various brick kilns. After completion of our study, we will take necessary actions.
When will you set the emission standard for brick kilns ?
We have directives given by the Supreme Court. Thus, we must prepare an emission standard for brick kilns. We will release it very soon. After that we will close the brick kilns, which do not comply with emission standard.
What steps are you taking to control the vehicle emissions?
We have set standard for vehicle emissions but it is still higher. As long as we cannot supply high quality petroleum products, it is impossible to reduce vehicle emissions. We are now talking with Nepal Oil Corporation regarding the issue. As it is related to supply of quality petroleum products, NOC also has an important role to play. We have set Euro I as an emission standard. The total emission of carbon is .025 which is very negligible. In those terms we are in good position.
How do you see the state of air quality in Kathmandu ?
This is a fact that the air quality of Kathmandu is deteriorating. The green areas are depleting and the present system of carrying the construction materials is also contributing to increase the air particles in valley.
As it involves many organizations to reduce the level of air pollution, how do you see the response from other ministries?
We have been organizing series of meetings with various organizations and ministries. They are bringing some positive results. From transport management to road and water resources to industry, trade and commerce, we need support from all of them to reduce the level of pollution.
What are other environmental problems in Kathmandu valley?
The river pollution is another major problem of Kathmandu valley. In the last one decade of urbanization, all the rivers in the valley turned into a sewerage. The water is so contaminated that it is like poison for its eco system.
Do you believe that the air pollution and river pollution of valley have immediate solutions?
It needs to have a long term solution but we have to work now to make the situation better. Like in the area of air pollution, we also need the support of local population to clean the river. As most rivers are polluted due to direct release of sewerage to the river, there is a need for a system to clean the sewerage before they are released into the river. There is technology around the world to clean the water. As a water treatment plant in Bagmati river has been already cleaning the water, we are considering to add such plants in various areas so that we can clean the water.
What plans the ministry is formulating for long term solution in cleaning the water?
First of all, we are doing study on sewerage system of valley. We can build the water treatment plants in various places and release the water after cleaning through them; then river water will automatically clean.
How viable is this kind of plant?
We have seen such plants operating in various parts of the world. We can also do it. The business of treating sewerage also generates gas of various kinds which will ultimately produce the energy. There is possibility to do it. In my recent observatory visit to South Korea , I had seen how landfill sites produce electricity making garbage collection profitable.
Have you made any specific study on that?
With the support from the World Bank, we are preparing a country environment analysis on existing environmental problems. The study will identify the environmental problems faced by the country and ways to address it. It will also suggest what kinds of support Nepal needs for long term programs as well as capability of our ministry.
How do you see the institutional capability of the ministry to implement the environment related programs?
Our institutional capability is still weak since environment component was added just two years ago in the Science and Technology ministry. The ministry has to execute environmental acts and regulations but it does not have adequate manpower or mechanisms. Even now many industries are releasing emissions but we don't have institutional capability to observe them. The ministry is now working to bring the change in policy matters so we don't have time to follow the implementation side. We are now considering establishing an institution with capability and institutional mechanism to address these problems.
How do you see the implications of global warming on Nepal ?
We have just recently signed an understanding with WWF to prepare a new policy. As a country with enormous glaciers, the global warming will have a very long term implications for a country like Nepal . As some of the glaciers are already in the process of outburst, they could destroy our infrastructures in hydro power as well as irrigation sector. This is the single most challenge in a country like Nepal . We have not done any study but we can see changes in the environment even in the valley as well as in terai. New phenomena are evolving with the rise of temperature. Among more than 2000 glacier lakes, 30 are in the list of potentially dangerous. Himalayas are sources of water. Any disturbance there will have negative implications in Nepal . From hydro power generation to irrigation, it will affect us in all sectors.
How is Nepal benefiting from Kyoto protocol?
Nepal is taking the advantage through the carbon trade. Although it is still in initial stage, we are already in the process of developing projects so that Nepal can trade the carbon. Under the CDM projects, Nepal is now registering bio-gas plants, community forestry, solar and micro-hydro plants can be traded in the world. They will generate money for us. There are many areas where Nepal can reap benefits. As our carbon production level is very low, we can trade our carbon surplus with other countries, we can annually earn Rs.50 million. India , China and Brazil are making a lot of money selling carbon. Now the World Bank is buying our carbon credit. It costs about 12 to 15 dollar per ton but Nepal is now selling it at US$ 7. Our alternatives energy program is selling bio-gas. Per biogas plant now generates Rs.3500 through carbon trading. We have already registered 19,693 plants. The World Bank has carbon trading project which can buy our carbon and sell them to other countries. We are now registering micro-hydro also.
Are there opportunities for Nepal in carbon trading?
There are great opportunities for us in the carbon trading area. There are many buyers in the world but we don't have any capacity to sell them. India has even private companies capable to develop the projects. They are also showing interest to develop projects. Germany , Japan and Korea also have shown interest to buy our surplus. It will generate resources for years.
