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Kathmandu has witnessed a significant increase in its population over the last few years as it has become the preferred destination for internal human migration. Naturally, to accommodate the basic needs of these ever-increasing inhabitants, a number of infrastructures (houses, shopping malls, hospitals, roads, industries) have been constructed, while many more are underway. These new developments may have brought some level of comfort in our lives, but the haphazard developments have also played their part in destroying the greenery in the valley. We are cutting down trees making spaces for the urban infrastructures, and as we continue doing this, Kathmandu, which once used to be a clean, green, and a healthy city, is fast loosing its greenery, and, now, resembles a "concrete jungle".
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Similarly, with the increase in the population, the numbers of vehicles that ply the roads of the valley, along with the small-sized, well hidden industries are also increasing constantly, and have become major sources of air pollution. The pollution in the valley is so severe that according to a report published by Ministry of Environment in 2004, the high concentration of airborne particles has caused excess death rate of 1,600 inhabitants per year. Furthermore, the air pollution is undoubtedly causing increase in lung diseases in the city. Similarly, in 2006, World Health Organization (WHO) experts rated Kathmandu as the second most polluted city in Asia with respect to air quality. |
Keeping in view the rampant
urbanization and its adverse consequences in the environment
and public health, it has, therefore, become a pressing need
for undertaking actions to curb the pollution problem. |
While there are many ways to reduce
the pollution problem in the city, planting trees is one of
the most feasible and a long-term solution. There are many
benefits of trees; they keep our air supply fresh by
absorbing the C02 that we exhale and also which is emitted
by polluting factories and engines, and, in return, supply
the oxygen we need to breathe. Trees cut down noise
pollution by acting as sound barriers. They provide us with
colors, flowers, and beautiful landscape. |
With the aim to introduce, much
needed, urban tree planting initiatives in the valley, while
inadequate initiatives are being made by the concerned
authorities, WATO Nepal is undertaking urban tree planting
project, which is to be carried out on a phase-wise basis.
In the first phase, we plan to plant the first 2000 trees
along the ring-road area, which is to be later developed
into a green-belt. For the success of the proposed project,
we intend to bring together combined support and resources
from individuals, corporate houses, government and our
foreign partners in collectively addressing the problem and
help restore the environmental damage caused by
irresponsible human activities. |
View Trees for Kathmandu - ring-road area in a larger map
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