Taza Initiative Nepal survey: Kathmandu Valley residents rely on senses to judge air hazardous

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Valley residents are highly concerned about air pollution but largely rely on their physical senses rather than official data to monitor it, according to a new survey released by Taza Initiative Nepal.

The survey of 1,200 residents, published to coincide with the launch of the non-profit organisation, revealed that while 81.2% rate the Valley's air pollution as hazardous to extremely hazardous to health, 94.1% of those who check air quality depend on smell, visibility and eye irritation.

Roshani Giri, executive director of Taza Initiative Nepal, highlighted the public reliance on physical senses over scientific data. 'The survey data reveals a critical disconnect. Four in five residents say the air is hazardous to their health, yet most are forced to rely on their senses rather than science to understand the air they breathe. Six in ten do not know how to check pollution levels,' Giri said.

Respondents overwhelmingly identified motor vehicles and traffic emissions (98.6%) and road construction dust (94.8%) as major sources of air pollution. In response, 79.9% support expanded public transport and electric mobility, while 71.5% support stronger dust-control measures and urban greening. However, 70.4% expressed dissatisfaction with current government efforts to address the issue.

Across the Valley, 52.3% of residents rate their local air quality as poor to very poor. This negative perception is particularly high in core urban centres, with 60.9% of respondents in Lalitpur, 59.2% in Kathmandu and 56.0% in Bhaktapur rating their air quality negatively, compared with 35.9% in North Kathmandu.

Knowledge of how to check air quality varies considerably by educational attainment. Only 10.8% of respondents with primary education or below know how to monitor it, compared with 63.0% of those holding a master's degree or higher. Although younger residents aged 18 to 24 who actively track air quality tend to use digital platforms, with 60.3% using websites and 42.5% using mobile applications, these individuals represent just 14.1% and 10.0%, respectively, of their entire age group.

When protecting themselves, 82.0% of respondents report relying on surgical masks or scarves, though 43.4% report taking no personal action whatsoever. Poor air quality is also contributing to a desire to leave the area: among the 7.2% of respondents considering leaving the Kathmandu Valley, 39.1% cite air pollution as a factor, second only to economic pressures and inflation at 47.8%.

Established in 2026, Taza Initiative Nepal focuses on research, air quality monitoring and evidence-based solutions. Giri stated that the organisation is committed to closing the information gap by making air quality data more accessible across the Kathmandu Valley through expanded monitoring platforms and air quality literacy programmes.