Calls to curb air pollution to safeguard tourism

KATHMANDU, APRIL 13: At a time when tourism is widely promoted as one of the key pillars of Nepal’s economy, the country's worsening air pollution—especially in the federal capital—has become a major cause for concern.

The recent episode of severe air pollution that engulfed the Kathmandu Valley set off alarm bells on multiple fronts. Fortunately, the rainfall over the past two days helped clear the toxic smog, providing much-needed relief to the residents of the bowl-shaped valley.

Beyond health concerns, discussions are now emerging from both economic and tourism sectors about the consequences of environmental degradation. The urgency of environmental conservation is increasingly being recognized as essential to sustaining the tourism industry.

Experts from the tourism sector, which is a vital source of foreign currency, have voiced deep concerns over the impact of pollution on tourism. They noted that tourist arrivals have been significantly affected by adverse environmental conditions and erratic weather patterns.

Speaking at a discussion titled "Impact of Environmental Pollution on the Tourism Sector", organized yesterday by the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, said that rising air pollution is damaging Nepal's reputation as a 'beautiful' country.

"The tourism industry contributes to a green economy," he stated, adding that the sector has, nonetheless, borne the brunt of environmental pollution. He urged the government to take policy-level action to address the root causes of pollution and called on the private sector and all stakeholders to focus on sustainable tourism development.

Thakur Raj Padey, Senior Vice-Chair of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, remarked that the climate crisis is having a clear impact on tourism. "Mountains are experiencing accelerated snowmelt. Rising air pollution has damaged Nepal’s image as a global travel destination," he said, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat pollution.

Bhupendra Das, a long-time campaigner against air pollution, pointed out that toxic air has become a global issue. He identified forest fires, open waste burning, emissions from vehicles, construction activities, and industrial operations as major contributors. He warned that this kind of pollution poses long-term threats to the tourism industry.