Back to news
9 Apr 2019 | Atmosphere Initiative

Air pollution research into use

1 min Read

70% Complete

ICIMOD responds to key research questions at the local to regional level, generating highly technical air pollution-related data in a historically data-scarce region. The data that is generated is shared with relevant entities to inform policies and action that can impact the lives of millions. This research-into-use approach contributes to long-term efforts to mitigate and reduce harmful emissions in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Numerous peer-reviewed articles have been published on a wide range of atmospheric issues with broad scientific and policy implications in the HKH. For example, “Air Quality Trends of the Kathmandu Valley: A Satellite, Observation and Modeling Perspective” recorded for the first time the increasing trends of background pollution (air pollution carried over from elsewhere) based on the Valley’s local columnar aerosol loading trend. Further, “Characterizing Emissions from Agricultural Diesel Pumps in the Terai Region of Nepal” presented estimates on diesel irrigation pumps as an under-represented source of ambient air pollution.

Rapid increases in air pollution in the HKH have far-reaching and hazardous consequences on environmental and human health and lead to the accelerated melting of glaciers and changing atmospheric circulation patterns. Such changes ultimately affect aviation, mountain tourism, agriculture, and the health and livelihoods of the poorest.

Background pollution adds around 25% of aerosol load to the Kathmandu Valley.
Valley aerosol loading increased by ~60% between 2000 and 2015.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

RELATED CONTENTS

Continue exploring this topic

National Partners trained on Participatory Ecosystem Based Planning and Management

ICIMOD, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Division (WCD) of Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS), Bhutan, organised a seven-day ...

Haa Summer Festival Showcases Local Culture for Tourism Promotion

Haa Valley is a pilot site of the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI) of the International Centre for ...

8 Apr 2016 News
38 Open Access Papers on Glaciology in High Mountain Asia

A special thematic issue of the Annals of Glaciology has recently been published by Cambridge University Press (link). The thirty-eight ...

15 Apr 2015 News
Mobilizing early response for combating forest fire

The SERVIR-Himalaya Initiative of ICIMOD, in collaboration with theDepartment of Forests (DoF) of Nepal, carried out field level awareness campaign in ...

2 Aug 2016 News
Knowledge Forum in New Delhi Called for Stronger Regional Collaboration Among Countries in the Himalayas and Downstream Countries

Countries in the Himalayan and downstream areas of the Hindu Kush Himalayas need to strengthen their collaboration to address food, ...

Yak are our identity: Himalayan herders raise concerns at International Yak Conference

For the first time in the history of the annual International Yak Conference, yak herders from the southern side of ...

5 Mar 2018 REDD+
Melanesian Delegates Visit Nepal to Learn About REDD+ and Community Based Forest Management

Interactive sessions and presentations were conducted at ICIMOD and the REDD Implementation Centre (RIC). Face-to-face interactions with RIC government officials ...