Kathmandu: Nepal is increasingly concerned as rising pollution levels, originating from crop residue burning in neighboring India and Pakistan, loom over the region. With the onset of this season, air quality has rapidly deteriorated in Nepal due to this transboundary issue. This annual problem poses significant health risks, primarily respiratory ailments and eye-related issues among the population.

While India and Pakistan have already started grappling with pollution caused by crop residue burning, Nepal has yet to receive the full impact. The impending arrival of the pollution to Nepal is attributed to the western winds that carry pollutants across borders, a recurring phenomenon.

Nepal, like its neighboring countries, is confronted with the pressing need to address this issue to safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens. The harmful consequences of this pollution include respiratory problems and eye-related ailments. Every year, the situation worsens, and tackling it has become a paramount concern for Nepal's government.

In a noteworthy development, Pakistan has announced its intentions to engage in diplomatic discussions with India to address the issue of "stubble burning in Indian Punjab." Lahore, one of the world's most polluted cities, is heavily impacted by the smog resulting from crop residue burning in Indian Punjab, located just 20 kilometers from the border. The burning of crop residues is a common practice among farmers in both India and Pakistan, and the direction of the wind plays a pivotal role in carrying pollutants across borders.

Lahore, Pakistan's provincial capital, continues to grapple with hazardous air quality conditions, reaching an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 447 on Monday, as reported by the global air quality monitoring platform www.iqair.com. Air quality is considered safe when the AQI remains below 50.

Nepal, like its regional counterparts, seeks effective measures to mitigate the impact of crop residue burning on air quality and public health, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in addressing this pressing concern.