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Kathmandu,Monday January 31, 2000 Magh 17th, 2056.
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‘60
percent air pollution through
Himal Cement’
-By
a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU,
Jan 30 - Himal Cement Factory located southwest of the Valley is
responsible for over 60 percent of the air pollution in the capital,
according to activists in Kirtipur where the factory is based.
The
pollution level in the Chobhar gorge area near Himal Cement exceeds
the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s limits set at TSP 120mg, said
the Area Protection Committee (APC). The TSP level in the area is
304mg.
"This
is a historical site. The general health in the adjoining villages has
been affected by pollution from the factory over the years," said
Sujindra Maharjan, a member of the APC.
According
to a statement released by the APC, today the fog and smoke emanating
from the factory is apparent even until 11 to 12 O’clock in the
afternoon.
"This
doesn’t happen anywhere else in the Valley," said Maharjan.
"The dumping of gravel within the vicinity of the factory is also
a matter of grave concern. We intend to approach the government on
this issue on Falgun 1st Gate (13 of February)." .
The
President of the three year old National Concerns Society, Uttam Ram
Vaidya, also expressed his concerns for the local residents, adding
his organisation was firmly behind the local group to help them if
they decide to take the case to the court.
Narayan
Poudyal, president of human rights group INHURED said local pressure
groups could do a lot to highlight these concerns. "We are not
against Himal Cement as such. We recognise its importance for the
country’s development but we want the level of pollution controlled
to existng WHO standards at least," he added.
Chobar
gorge is considered to be an area of natural wonder and is the site of
a 400-year-old Ganesh temple and a number of ancient holy caves.
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